Starting with the Soil
In sandy, windswept gardens like those in Formby, good soil is the quiet hero behind every thriving plant. Yet many gardeners overlook how powerful a bit of compost or bark can be. If you’ve ever poured water onto your garden only to watch it vanish in seconds, this article is for you.
Compost: More Than Just Rot
Compost is often hailed as a soil cure-all—and for sandy soil, that’s not far from the truth. But what kind matters, and how you use it matters even more.
What Works Best:
Well-rotted garden compost: Adds structure, nutrients, and microbial life
Mushroom compost: Good for beds needing an alkaline boost
Homemade kitchen & green waste compost: Full of diverse organic material
What to Avoid:
Unfinished compost (can rob nitrogen)
Peat-based products (not sustainable and too fine for coastal winds)
🪴 Formby Tip: Add compost in spring, lightly fork it in, then mulch over the top to lock in moisture and nutrients.
Bark: More Than Just Decoration
Bark often gets used for neatness, but in sandy soils it serves a deeper purpose—insulating the soil, conserving moisture, and breaking down slowly to improve structure over time.
| Bark Type | Benefits | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fine bark mulch | Breaks down faster, enriches soil | Beds and borders |
| Medium bark chips | Longer-lasting, good for paths | Around shrubs or trees |
| Pine bark | Acidifies slightly | For ericaceous plants or mulching blueberries |
Avoid bark too close to soft stems—it can trap moisture and cause rot.
Other Organic Matter That Works Wonders
Leaf mould: Great for light, crumbly structure and moisture retention
Spent mushroom compost: Rich in calcium and ideal for improving texture
Seaweed: Rinsed and chopped, it’s full of trace minerals—perfect for coastal beds
Layering for Best Results
Here’s a simple formula many pros use in coastal sandy beds:
Lightly dig in compost to top 10–15cm
Plant as needed
Top with bark mulch or gravel (5–7cm)
This traps water, protects the roots, and slowly improves the soil underneath.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Don’t pile organic matter too deep—plants still need air around stems
Skip synthetic fertilisers—they leach too fast in sandy soil
Keep experimenting. Not all compost is created equal—find what your soil responds to best
Internal & External Resources
Conclusion: Build Soil Slowly, and It Will Reward You
In sandy gardens, you can’t create loam overnight—but you can build resilience and richness year by year. Compost and bark won’t just feed your soil—they’ll transform it into a home your plants can truly grow in.
