Yellow Directory - Sand, Soil & Gravel

When it comes to landscaping there are a few essential items you will need. Amongst those are sand, soil and gravel – and you will be amazed at how many uses they actually have.

The type of sand you choose is important, because different types of sand are used for different jobs. For example grit sand is added to cement and stone to form concrete, red builders sand is used to make mortar for setting bricks, and very fine Sydney sand is used by renderers for rendering.

Around the home, a play sandpit is a great addition to your garden for small children. It's a safe and gentle environment for children to play in. Ordinary building sand can be used to fill sandpits, but it often contains materials such as clay which can stain clothing. Alternatively, special sandbox sand can be purchased. It is considerably dearer, but much more pleasant to the eye and cleaner for children and their clothes.

As with sand, there is a range of soils available for your garden. Sand, silt, and clay are the basic types of soil. Most soils are made up of a combination of the three. The texture of the soil, how it looks and feels, depends upon the amount of each one in that particular soil.

The type of soil varies from place to place on our planet and often vary from one place to another in your own backyard. Like topsoil, which is a rich and organic soil used to plant grass and various plants, and is perfect for your vegetable garden. Or mulch, which is like a soil conditioner breaking down to encourage worms and an overall healthier soil.

Gravel is a very useful, inexpensive material that can be defined as many small stones lying on the earth. Gravels, technically, are water-worn stones that are rounded and may be an inch in size or less.

Gravel has a multitude of uses too. Decorative gravel, like marble or pebbles, is a really simple way to add texture to your garden. Or there's road base gravel, which can be used as a sub base if you're laying new paving or a driveway. It gives the pavers a solid foundation and prevents them from sinking into the ground and becoming uneven.

If you're starting a landscaping project, you might want to consult a professional to be sure you choose the right materials for the job. If you need a hand to find one in your local area, check your Yellow Directory.

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