Manure from the nearest animals tends to be the most economical soil improvement, often it is horse manure. If you use manure, test it first for herbicide contamination by sprouting a bean in a cup of it.
Sand is the opposite of clay in regard to water retention. It's a good pairing for most manure composts because they can hold too much water. Clay is better about holding nutrients long-term, especially phosphorous, which is more relevant if you are applying pelleted fertilizer. It washes away faster in sandy soil.
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