8 Creative Ways To Include Sandy Soil In Your Landscape

If you have sandy soil in your yard, you may feel like your options are limited when it comes to gardening and landscaping. Although it is not amenable to the same projects that other types of soil are suited to, you can embrace its unique texture and incorporate sandy soil into one of the following eight creative landscaping approaches.

Create A Windy Path

One great way to use sandy soil in your landscaping is by creating a meandering path with it. A sandy garden path is very easy to form, and it can give the garden or yard a relaxed vibe. In Japanese gardens, sand is often used to represent water; embrace this idea by forming your path in a windy manner like a stream running between your flowers and shrubs. Sandy soil is a very affordable material for creating a path in your garden.

Build A Cactus Garden

Cactus gardens are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their low demands and neat appearance. You can grow a cactus garden with sandy soil and enjoy greenery without the commitment that other types of gardens require. Crowns of thorns and spiky agaves have eye-catching, sculptural shapes. You can arrange crushed stone and rocks around the cacti to tie the garden together.

Create A Sandy Play Area

A sandy play area can be a lot of fun for kids, whether you create a small sandbox to keep the sand contained in one area or spread it across a broader space and place playground equipment on top of it. Playing in sand is great for children’s development, allowing them to develop their fine motor skills, and it’s also ideal for creative play.

If you are not a fan of the appearance of sandy play areas, consider having your children’s sand pit built into wooden decking with a matching wood top that can slot into the pit. The top can close it off when it is not in use to keep out animals and make the space more attractive and useful when entertaining.

Build A Zen Garden

When it comes to using sand in landscaping, a Zen garden is one of the first things that comes to mind for many people. Zen gardens are known for their ability to create a tranquil atmosphere as well as their simplicity.

Place your Zen garden in an area of the yard that gets plenty of sunlight to help the sand dry out after rainfall. Mark off the area with string or stakes, remove any grass or shrubbery from the area, and then place your sandy soil there. Then, rake the sand into patterns such as whirls.

Landscaping stones and rocks are often placed in a few locations across the top of a Zen garden. Be sure to place some chairs or a bench nearby so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the serenity.

Create A Beach-Themed Area

Instead of fighting against sandy soil, why not embrace it and create a beach-themed area in your yard? You may want to sift the sand through a fine-mesh screen to remove debris first. Then collect some shells at the beach, clean them, and let them air dry. Then you can set up your beach area however you wish.

For example, you might want to scatter the shells across the sand and place some Adirondack chairs on top so you can sit down and dig your feet in the sand. A fire pit is a great touch that can help you capture that beach bonfire feeling in your yard and create a fun gathering space. If you have any trees nearby, you could even set up a hammock for relaxing and reading.

Use White Sand For A Clean And Modern Look

For a modern look, consider using crisp white sand as part of your design. Many homeowners like the look of sticking to one or two colors for planting up against white sand, such as purple and orange, as these colors will pop nicely against the stark white sand. Of course, you will need to choose plants that thrive in sandy soil, such as periwinkle or Helichrysum.

Create A Rock Garden

Another good use for sandy soil is a rock garden. You can use different sizes and types of rocks with your sandy soil to create a unique garden that will be the talk of everyone who comes to your home. You can even use colored sand in certain areas for added visual interest.

You can choose to place rocks in the garden randomly or use a specific pattern, then fill the gaps in with sand. Once you’ve placed everything just how you like it, lightly wet the area down with a garden hose; once it dries, it will help to keep everything in place. Finally, you can add some plants and other decorative touches to bring the look together.

Grow A Flower Garden

If you thought that flower gardening was out of the question with sandy soil, think again. There are lots of beautiful flowers that grow surprisingly well in sandy soil, and there’s a good chance something on the list will suit your desired aesthetics.

If you’re looking for a flower garden that won’t require too much tending, ground covers and perennials are the way to go. Lavender is one flower that actually prefers the great drainage afforded by sandy soil. It looks particularly nice when planted in long rows that can serve as a garden border.

Some annuals and bulbs also thrive in this type of soil. For bold colors during summer, consider planting annual salvia in colors like blue, purple or red. Sweet alyssum also loves sandy soil and comes in pink, white and purple.

Don’t discount the idea of shrubs. Butterfly bush, with its gorgeous purple hue, appreciates sandy soil, as does the bright yellow Siberian pea shrub and the gorgeous Rose of Sharon.

Get In Touch With Dirt Connections

No matter what type of soil you need, Dirt Connections has you covered. We can supply a broad range of soils, gravel, rocks and other landscaping features throughout the Northern Virginia area. Contact us today to discuss your project and schedule a delivery.