Hello Marion!
Do you remember exactly what the bag said? These days, it is pretty rare to see a bag of just plain "Sand". Usually it's "All Purpose Sand", or "Play Sand", or the like. Most bulbs won't be damaged by most sands, though, unless they are very sensitive alpine or desert species. Very fine silica sand, such as that used for ash trays and sand blasting, can cause problems by packing, crusting, and/or holding too much water.

I've used bg standard builders sand and cant say I have noticed any problems. I often have a bucket of beach sand in a leaky bucket out in the rain to wash the salt off. again no probs so afr so I wouldnt worry about your bulbs.

In spite of what has been said on these pages I don't actualy believe that is dredged up from the sea bed for building purposes any more. I think that this is now illegal - I am prepared to be corrected on this!
It would seem that you bought coarse/concreting sand from the DIY center, Marion, and this should be OK for your bulbs.

'Ordinary', ie builder's, sand, can contain too much lime for certain plants. Depends on what bulbs you have planted, the sand you have used, and the original acid/alkaline level of your soil. Wait and see what happens - don't worry - if it's okay they will grow, if not and the soil is the only problem, then you will know.

Bulbaholic, an Internet search will comfirm that large companies such as Tarmac are dredging for aggregates (sand) at present at Shorham in Sussex to name just one site.

hi jimmy and bulbaholic
dredging is legal and can be carried out on a sea bed that is not of natural or scientific research.you cannot dredge a reef but can dredge a silt base sea bed or estuarys of the same make up.however the pressure is on to stop this damaging proccess.

Thanks for that up-date, Steve. I thought that it was already outlawed.

I think we are in danger of worrying the original questioner even more. Personally I reckon that Marion answered her own question in a way. she said that the sand contained' gravelly bits'. To me that sounds like a reasonably sharp sand, so it should do her bulbs no harm as far as drainage is concerned. That the sand might contain lime would not be a problem for most, if not all the bulbs grown by the majority of non-specialist growers. So, Marion, your addition of sand to the compost should have no harmful effect on your bulbs.

Agree, owdboggy, as I said ... don't worry, wait and see. Garden bulbs are usually not too fussy. There can sometimes be too much information!

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply and for your advice, its very much appreciated!