Plants for Sandy Soil

Drought-tolerant plants thrive here: those with deep roots or tough, silver foliage suit the sharp drainage and cope with summer dryness. Sandy soil is also perfect for anything that hates sitting wet in winter.

Dig in plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to help it hold water and nutrients, and mulch each spring. Feeding little and often through the growing season makes up for what drains away.

Yes, water drains through it fast, so it dries out quicker than clay or loam in summer. New plants need regular watering, but established drought-tolerant plants cope well once their roots go down.

It has real advantages. It is easy to dig, warms up early in spring, and never waterlogs, which suits a huge range of sun-loving and drought-tolerant plants. It just needs feeding and mulching to make up for fast drainage.