I don't even like to call it soil -- it's terrible - we all know that and we spend a lot of time amending it.
I read somewhere (don't remember where), that you can use cat litter to add to our soil (depending on where you live in Florida, as some of you may have some some clay). Here on the east coast , and close to the beach -- it's sand ! I remember the article stating that you should only use non-clumping clay-based cat litter. I've never seen it in the pet stores of wally-mart because I did look there a long time ago (even though I don't have cats). Last week, I found it at Tractor Supply when I went there for bird seed.
I haven't used this cat litter yet; maybe I should do some more research. I'm thinking that I could just dig some tiny holes in the flower beds and just sprinkle some in -- it may help hold some of the nutrients longer.

Elfie, I think organic material is going to do much better for you as a soil amendment than cat litter. All that's ever happened when I sprinkled cat litter outside is it becomes a sticky mess in the humidity and takes forever to dissipate into the soil.

Have you tried amending with alfalfa pellets? (horse food) Also available at Tractor Supply, about $15 for a 50lb. bag. They are fantastic, in combination with a good amount of compost as they seem to have a lot of the 'natural' biological components and the plants just jump up and grow. You can't just use straight alfalfa as an amendment, because it's pretty high in nitrogen and might burn your plants if they get too much at once.

I will still be adding amendments to the soil -- my compost; Black Cow and mushroom compost where needed. But all the articles I've read on adding non-clumping kitty litter to sandy soil are positive. You only sprinkle a little around the flower beds. It does help retain moisture and it does have some nutrients (potassium). I did do the front flower beds and will do the back later this weekend. I'm being very frugal with it as I don't want a sticky mess, like you said. We've had some rain since I sprinkled some and it looks fine.
Here's a link: http://www.sptimes.com/News/04...

The problem with adding amendments is that after a year of putting your good compost (you've diligently work on) in the garden - you can't find it anymore. It's just decomposed and you're back with sand - again ! Actually, I think I need to get back to making some more bio-char. I know that works.

Yes, cat litter is a good amendment for sandy soil. Not the clumping kind, but the regular old cat litter. It is made of clay and helps your soil retain moisture.

Smiles,
Lyn

The alfalfa pellets are a really good idea. Kitty litter doesn't add anything to the soil as far as organic matter goes. I also wonder what it does to the pH?

Kate ...

Kittly litter slows down the drainage so that the plants have time to take up the moisture. It also improves the general moisture in the soil so that bacteria, worms and such have a moister habitat.

During our long drought, I noticed that I had a smaller earth worm population in the beds even tho' they were mulched. That's because the water I used in the garden was being sucked down by the dryer soils down deeper.

Of course, adding organic materials is what feeds the soil critters, but the kitty litter kind of compensates for the sandy soil being unable to hold moisture. Of course, if you use too much, you can end up with a soggy mess.

As far as I know, kitty litter has no impact on the pH. Of course, that depends on what is used to make the cat litter.

Smiles,
Lyn

Edited to correct signing off twice ... oops !

Ahhh, good point Lyn!

You must have a tiny garden, to consider using a bag of cat litter... for soil conditioner...

Mine is large enough that when I bring in a truckload of manure/wood chips/hay, it mostly just let's me know how much more is needed...

I have found that spreading used kitty litter on top of the beds provides a bit of vole relief...
But my cats really don't poop enough...

Stone ..

I have very rocky clay soil, but have used cat litter in small beds next to the house that I inherited when I bought the house.

My soil is so rocky, I don't have to worry to much about critters ... other than the ones that really want to get into my caged compost pile.

Elfrieda, I have never considered using cat litter as an amendment to the "sand". I moved here 10 years ago and my 5 acres was entirely sand with pines and turkey oaks. They grow very well in the sand.

I garden in only a fraction of the property. I mulch with pine needles, oaks leaves and whatever organic matter I can get my hands on without spending a lot of money. I have loaded my van with bags of raked leaves from peoples yard I passed on the road and everything I plant from the nurseries, the pot full of soil goes in the ground. I mulch the gardens with the chipped tree trimmings when the power company trims around the power lines. (They dropped 3 truck loads the last time they trimmed)

My sand goes down to the aquifer 120 feet down. It's a tough battle. But after tens years, I am seeing some difference in the top 10 inches of ground. It also helps to grow plants that are native to your sand. It's a trial and error in finding the plants that best like your soil.

I guess after all this, cat litter is not the solution to the sand issue. If you walk in it, it will just stick to your shoes and you'll track it in the house.

You only add a little cat litter; and work it in so it helps retain some of the moisture. You're not spreading a lot out like mulch; so I doubt you'd be getting it on your shoes and tracking it in the house.

orchidgal said:I don't even like to call it soil -- it's terrible - we all know that and we spend a lot of time amending it.
I read somewhere (don't remember where), that you can use cat litter to add to our soil (depending on where you live in Florida, as some of you may have some some clay). Here on the east coast , and close to the beach -- it's sand ! I remember the article stating that you should only use non-clumping clay-based cat litter. I've never seen it in the pet stores of wally-mart because I did look there a long time ago (even though I don't have cats). Last week, I found it at Tractor Supply when I went there for bird seed.
I haven't used this cat litter yet; maybe I should do some more research. I'm thinking that I could just dig some tiny holes in the flower beds and just sprinkle some in -- it may help hold some of the nutrients longer.

''I don't even like to call it soil -- it's terrible''

Lol I found this hilarious because so true .

I put in a couple of 125 gallon Rubbermaid stock tanks in my soil as little ''ponds'' . It took me forever because in my case sand would be welcomed. It was more like mining , for every 1lb of soil I dug up I also dug up 2lbs of rock .

Clay will hold some moisture & add minerals.

The old farmer's saw said:
Sand into clay is money thrown away.
Clay into sand is money in hand.

We just started a soil trial adding clay to sand and running side by side beds to see if it makes a difference

I will post a link to our progress

Duffymeadows... Someone convinced me to try an experiment where I try my potting mix (50-50 sphagnum peat moss & composted pine bark) versus an all sand (or, at least all inorganic) medium... both in sub-irrigated planters (SIPs)... both being fed with hydroponic nutes. My only concern is finding a sandy solution that is able to wick up the water between 9" - 14" for starters. Was searching for a sandy mix that might offer a competitive capillary action and thought of the potential in using kitty litter.

PLEASE post back with your results. Amazing that you just posted a week ago. Don't forget to share your results!! ;-)

Thanks for the encouragement. Our trials are underway and we will have results regularly on our site duffymeadows.com
https://duffymeadows.com/2019/...