Greensand for Gardening

Greensand is often used by organic gardeners as a natural source of potassium. It is available as a sand or sediment type amendment for your soil that can be added as part of the soil prepartion before planting or added later as a top dressing. It comes in various formulations based on the amount of sand, etc. that is mixed in, you can find it as diluted as 0-0-0.1, but it has many trace elements as well.

Not only is it a source of potassium, but as a soil amendment it loosens tight or clay soils. The particles work like sand to prevent keep the soil particles from locking together, resulting in a looser soil structure. It can also work to bind loose soil. In addition it buffers the soil pH to around 6.5.

Greensand is actually mined, much of it in the US, particularly in Texas, Arkansas, Florida, and the sourthern part of New Jersey. Most of these areas were under the ocean at one point.

Greensand is mainly potash and hydrated silicate of iron, but has about 22 trace minerals including potash, iron oxide, silica, lime, magnesia, and phosphoric acid. It is made up mostly of dark greenish grains of glauconite, usually mixed with clay or sand. As a natural mineral it works as a slow release product, and won’t burn your vegetables.

Use of Greensand for Gardening

Use it when preparing the soil. The application rates will vary based on the exact mix so follow the label suggestions. A common application rate would be 15 to 30 pounds or greensand per 100 square feet of garden, but depending on your soil test more or less may be appropriate.

Green Sand 0-0-0.1 Espoma Greensand contains 6% total potash; 0.1% available immediately. Greensand is the organic gardener’s choice for potash and trace elements. It is recommended that the greensand be incorporated into the soil before seeding or planting. For application during the growing season use the light rates. Directions: Light Application 5 to 10 lbs. per 100 square feet. Medium Application 15 to 30 lbs. per 100 square feet. Heavy Application 40 to 80 lbs. per 100 square feet Sold in a 10 Bag Go to Yardiac for More About Buying Greensand