Sandy Soil

Q. I am in the process of creating a meditation garden. I live on Long Island NY where the weather is mild but the soil is very sandy. I was interested in planting fragrant plants and herbs. There will be some boxwood around a portion of the brick walk that I just laid. I would like to fill the sides with the plants.

A. What a lovely project. Sounds like it would be great and I sure would use it often in nice weather maybe in the snow too...oh it doesn't snow here!

You will need to build up a nice organic layer of mulch on top and that helps a lot. Rake the neighbors oak leaves and use them for mulch. Meanwhile here's my list of sand-lovers:

Lantana (you can't kill this stuff)
Gaura (also called Whirling Butterflies)
Daylilies
Delphinium
Blueberries
Strawberries
Tuberous begonias
Flowering almond
Bleeding heart
Coneflower
Tulip
Iris
Tomato
Hostas
Peppers
Mexican Heather
Ruellia (Mexican Petunia)
Lady Banks Rose
Mexican Sage

Book: Gardening in Sandy Soil

Not all of us are blessed with living on perfect rich luxuriant loam. While some of you may be lucky enough to live and garden where the soil is ideal
many of us live where the soil is sandy. But should this stop us from gardening? No way! Learn the secrets of gardening in sandy soil with this information-packed guide. Learn how to amend your soil with organic matter compost leaves green manure seaweed and more. Find out the many ways and benefits of mulching on sandy soil. And learn to choose those plants that will not only survive in sandy soil but will actually thrive! If you've been discouraged by the yield of your garden because of sandy soil get this guide and watch it grow.l

Add organic debris from your own or your neighbor's gardens plus prunings pine needles garden waste kitchen scraps coffee grounds eggshells pet fur brushings (a nitrogen source).

The benefits of sandy soil: drainage root penetration air circulation digging. The disadvantages of gardening in sand: rapid water loss nutrient
loss. Strategies for success - using amendments: soil amendments green
amendments amending new beds.