Pros and Cons of Sandy Soil Colonie, NY

Pros and Cons of Sandy Soil Colonie, NY

Sandy soil is very similar to the sand you can find at the beach. If you rub some between your fingers, you'll find that it feels very gritty compared to other types of soil, such as silt or clay. Any lumps in sandy soil will also break up very easily and, unless it's very wet, it's not going to hold together very well.

Basically, sandy soil is extra gritty and it does not do a good job at retaining water or nutrients, which is why it's hard to grow plants in sandy soil. Despite all of that, there are some advantages that come along with sandy soil.

The Pros of Sandy Soil

Sandy soil is made up of relatively large particles, and that makes it fantastic in areas that require good drainage. The large particles allow water to flow in between them, meaning that sandy soil is ready to be soaked in the weather or rain and it will dry out quicker than other types of soils.

The loose texture is also very easy to work with. Because of this, you actually can grow just about any plant in sandy soil since they can take root so easily, you just have to provide them with enough water and nutrition since the soil itself certainly won't be providing it for you. However, because it is low in nutrients, it is ideal for wildflowers since they grow better in such an environment.

The Cons of Sandy Soil

Sandy soil has a very free draining property, and that means it doesn't take a very long dry spell for it to be completely devoid of moisture. This means you need either very drought tolerant plants or a sprinkler or watering system of some sort to keep the sandy soil adequately hydrated.

In addition to being unable to hold water and struggling to hold nutrients, you'll also want to remember that any fertilizer you add to sandy soil is going to wash/drain away very quickly. And, although you may not be planning on gardening, this is something any homeowner is going to want to keep in mind.

A Colonie, NY home inspector is going to examine soil type so that they can detail for you the specific issues that can arise from having sandy soil on your property. Colonie, NY home inspections will always take sandy soil into consideration since it makes for the ideal environment for subterranean termites.

The wood pests that thrive in sandy soil environments will be quickly spotted by any good home inspector in Colonie, NY, but you should definitely have your land checked to avoid facing the huge headache that they can cause down the road.

The Author Adam Clark is the owner and operator of Shield Guard Home Inspections. Adam Clark is a local Home Inspector located in Albany NY that has performed over 6000 Inspections Book online Phone: (518) 720-7152