Hobbies And Interests
Soil Energizer
One of the great benefits of lava sand for gardeners is that it has paramagnetic properties. This means that when it is mixed into soil, it raises the levels of paramagnetism and thus stimulates energy and growth in plants. Gardeners often mix lava sand with compost to dig into soil to help plants grow. In addition, although lava sand itself has low levels of nutrients, it makes soil nutrients more available to plants.
Soil Drainage
Lava sand is an excellent material for improving drainage in soil. It does so in part by separating heavy clay particles in the ground. How much to use varies depending on how good or bad existing drainage may be. It has the added benefit of helping to retain moisture in the soil during dry conditions or droughts. It also helps to aerate soil and improve its porosity.
Lawn Care
Lava sand is useful for gardeners seeking a healthy, luxuriant lawn. For those who are trying to avoid using chemical weedkillers, lava sand makes an excellent alternative. It should be mixed with bark mulch and agricultural corn meal; then spread evenly on lawns where grass has been degraded or where there are bare patches. A spin-off benefit is that using lava sand rather than chemical weedkillers or fertilizers is better for wildlife and the environment.
Application
Lava sand is extremely flexible and can be applied to lawns or dug into soil at any time of the year. It can be used to assist the propagation of food crops, shrubs, flowers, trees and in ornamental beds. The recommended amount, according to the Dirt Doctor website to use is 40 lbs. to each 1,000 square feet of land to be treated. The finer the texture, the better the sand and the greater will be its efficacy.