Silica sand for agriculture: sowing, mixes and soil improvement
Our silica sand for agriculture, from the Mineravi brand, is a natural, chemically inert, rounded-grain aggregate designed for everyday work in the field, greenhouse and nursery. It adds no lime or salts, does not alter the soil pH and does not break down: it does its job for years.
We offer it in two grain sizes, each with its own specialty:
Orange sand 0-3 mm: the choice of lamb's lettuce growers for sand covering at sowing. Fine, rounded grain, also perfect for seedbeds, topdressing and fine mixes.
Sand 0-10 mm (lighter shade): the all-rounder for mixes with substrates and compost, drainage, greenhouse paths and improving heavy soils.
Sand covering when sowing lamb's lettuce (orange sand 0-3 mm)
Sand covering consists of covering freshly sown soil with a layer of sand. When the seeds germinate, the plants are kept separate from the soil: the leaves do not touch the earth, contamination and diseases are prevented, and the harvester blade cuts cleanly between soil and sand, collecting the lamb's lettuce in perfect condition. The sand stays in the field, and with each harvest the substrate becomes finer for the following sowings.
It is the sand used in the greenhouses of southern Navarra, especially in La Ribera, and is valued by the most demanding lamb's lettuce growers.
Everything silica sand does for your crops
Mixes with substrates and compost: add 10–30% sand to substrates, topsoil or compost to give the mix body, improve drainage and prevent waterlogging in pots, planters and raised beds.
Seedbeds and cuttings: mixed with fine substrate (or as a seed covering layer), it makes germination easier and prevents "damping-off" caused by excess moisture.
Improving clay soils: worked into the soil, it loosens heavy, compacted earth and improves root aeration.
Lawn topdressing: alone or mixed with organic matter, it levels the ground, decompacts and improves drainage after scarifying.
Drainage: base layer in pots and planters, and in agricultural trenches and drains (0-10 mm).
Mineral mulch: a surface layer on pots and seedbeds that holds back algae, fungus gnats and weeds.
Special crops and uses: sand covering for traditional vegetable gardens, asparagus growing beds, mixes for chicken coops and bird dust baths.
Features
Composition: natural, inert silica sand, free of lime and soluble salts; does not alter the pH.
Grain sizes: 0-3 mm (orange color) and 0-10 mm (lighter shade).
Rounded grain: gentle on roots and leaves, it does not damage the plant or the machinery.
Formats: 20 kg bag, pack of 10 bags (200 kg), pack of 25 bags (500 kg), full pallet of 50 bags (1,000 kg) and 1,000 kg big bag (approx. 0.66 m³).
Recommended dosage
Sand covering at sowing: 0.5–1 cm layer (a 1,000 kg big bag covers approx. 60–130 m²).
Mix with substrate or compost: 10–30% of the total volume.
Lawn topdressing: 4–6 kg/m².
Amending clay soils: 15–30 kg/m², worked into the top 15–20 cm.
Need large quantities? We also offer a bulk service in full 25 t trucks. Contact us with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What grain sizes does silica sand for agriculture come in?
It is offered in two grain sizes: orange sand of 0-3 mm, for sand covering at sowing, seedbeds and fine mixes, and lighter-shade sand of 0-10 mm, for mixes with substrates, drainage and improving heavy soils.
What is sand covering used for when sowing lamb's lettuce?
It consists of covering freshly sown soil with a layer of sand. This way the leaves do not touch the ground, contamination and diseases are prevented, and the harvester cuts cleanly between soil and sand.
What dosage is recommended?
For sand covering at sowing, a 0.5-1 cm layer; in mixes with substrate or compost, between 10 and 30% of the volume; for lawn topdressing, 4-6 kg/m²; and in clay soils, 15-30 kg/m² worked into the top 15-20 cm.
Does it alter the soil pH?
No. According to its description, it is natural, inert silica sand, free of lime and soluble salts, which does not alter the pH. Its rounded grain is gentle on roots and leaves.
What formats is it sold in?
It comes in a 20 kg bag, pack of 10 bags (200 kg), pack of 25 bags (500 kg), full pallet of 50 bags (1,000 kg) and 1,000 kg big bag. A bulk service in full 25 t trucks is also offered.
