[Community_garden] How/whether to prevent leaching into sandy soil

[David Parkinson]

Hello all:

Here in Powell River, we are looking at starting a small demonstration
garden in a currently vacant lot behind a storefront. Without knowing much
about the makeup of the soil, I can see that it is pretty poor-quality sandy
stuff. Up here, it rains a lot during the winter, so we're worried that even
if we build up the soil much of the good stuff will leach out during the
rainy weather an disappear into the porous sandy stuff beneath.

Should we be thinking about putting down a lining before building beds? If
so, what's the best thing to use? It would worry me to use something
waterproof, since that might cause the soil to become waterlogged. Is there
anything that will slow down leaching without making an impervious barrier?

Any ideas or pointers welcome. Thanks!!

-- 
David Parkinson
Powell River, BC
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