A substructure in the sandbox is not absolutely necessary, but it does have some advantages. The construction mainly depends on the location. A sandbox on the balcony differs significantly from one on the lawn.
A sandbox with a substructure lasts longer
What is the use of a substructure?
A well-constructed and carefully designed base makes your sandpit easy to maintain and durable, and it also contributes to hygiene. Sand and earth can no longer mix, so you avoid germ contamination. Water drains off better than on a compacted subsoil. This prevents mold from forming as easily.
The growth of weeds in the sandbox is prevented or at least reduced by a substructure. While most herbs are non-toxic, they don't belong in a sandbox because they could attract biting insects.
How do I create a substructure?
First, mark out the size and shape of the sandbox you want, then you can dig up the soil in that area. A depth of about 15 cm is recommended. The surface does not necessarily have to be completely flat.
Now fill gravel in the hole. They even out any unevenness. The gravel ensures that water can drain away easily later. As a result, the sand dries quickly after a rainstorm. Nevertheless, you should always cover the sandpit when it is not in use. This not only prevents rain and/or leaves from falling in, but also prevents the sandbox from acting as a litter box.
To prevent sand and gravel from mixing, you can staple a special film to the underside of your sandbox. This lets moisture through, but not the sand. It also prevents ants or similar creatures from moving into the sandbox. It also makes it much more difficult for weeds to grow through.
Once you have placed the sandbox on the gravel bed, fill in the desired amount of play sand. As a rule of thumb, the sandbox should be a little more than half full.
The essentials in brief:
- depending on the existing subsoil
- prevents mixing of sand and subsoil
- prevents weeds from growing in the sandbox
- ensures good water drainage