What Do You Know About Paver Sand?

[jimscott]

A guy who works in Garden bought a bunch of broken bags of paver sand for the paltry price of $.58. So I asked him about what went into that sand. Was it treated with chemicals? How coarse is it? Apparently, it's ground up concrete, which I think is alkaline. That might be good for the Mexican pings. Whaddya think?

 

[Not a Number]

Looks like the alkalinity of concrete can be pretty high:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NSX/is_6_49/ai_n6092426/

Proceed with caution.

 

[DavyJones]

I worked landscaping for a while, and we used a special sand when we put in patios that was spread in between the pavers [patio bricks] after the patio was completed. Upon getting wet the sand would then solidify and fill in the gaps between the bricks, making a nice, solid, and sealed patio. I don't know if what you're looking at is the same stuff, but I would definitely be cautious. Wouldn't want all your beautiful plants solidified in a block sand.

 

[swords]

That happened to me when I added some pelletized limestone to some soil mix for cactus who grow in limestone, thinking it would be a good additive. The stuff melted and turned the pots into almost solid cement! So avoid Pelletized limestone too!

 

[herenorthere]

I've seen directions for installing pavers that called for a mix of sand and portland cement. If that's what's in those bags, it isn't just alkaline; it's downright caustic. Don't use such a mix for any plant.

 

[jimscott]

Okie-dokie! It was a thought. It looked like wet sand, looking at through the bag. I might try a handful in a pot and toss a couple leaves on top.