How to make plants grow in sand?

I recently got some sand put in my house, but I would like some black dirt in my garden, without paying the very high price of black dirt.



Is it even feasable to get worms to make black dirt? How much would it cost? How long would it take?



Or is there another way to get plants to grow in sand, without black dirt?



Thanks.

How to make plants grow in sand?
Sorry, you can't change sand into black dirt--it's like changing water into milk. They're two different things. You might try mixing in soil additives, like fertilizer or peat moss, but it would still be a sand base. I would mix peat moss or top soil in with the sand, and add some fertilizer.
Reply:Planting in sand................My yard in Atlanta was sand , sand , sand and more sand. And me a gardener ? LOL

I couldn't get one plant to really "grow" and the water requirements - man ! I fought it and fought it. Dig a hole put in good soil and 2 years later when I would move it or something the sand had just filtered in.

Heres what I did - line the planting hole with that plastic erosion control fabric you see at new construction sites. The kind ( usually orange or black ) that they run down a hill and stake so the soil dosent just run down in a nearby stream or neighborhood.

Then put in some good dirt and plant away.

The fabric lets the water thru and keeps the sand from migrating into your good soil.

Never could figure out why my yard was the sandy one though............
Reply:Padre Pio, eh? Interesting..



If you can get a hold of some old manure and straw from a farm, that would be great, grass clippings, anything like that that you can mulch into the soil. Depending on how big your garden is going to be, you can get the peat moss and throw some in there too..Just did a huge garden with my Sis on her very sandy soil. You are going to need something in there to help hold the moisture in..As many organics as you can get your hands on would help..Ask your neighbors if you can have their grass clippings..Good luck
Reply:There are plenty of plants that grow in sand. Just look at the desert. The problem is if you don't live in that particular climate they won't survive.

Why did you have sand put in the garden in the first place? If you have clay soil sand will help loosen it up. Just till it in really well.

Check around the area the city you live in may have free compost.
Reply:ask the Israeli's