Everyone wants a better front or backyard. Many hire landscapers to do this job, since they can provide the planning, skilled manpower, and materials you need for these large projects. But some people would rather work on their own yards, with time and self-education on their side. One of the biggest hurdles for these types of hands-on home improvers is figuring out what materials they need to properly landscape their home, and what quantity and quality they will need. Below are six of the most common materials needed for landscaping projects.
1. Soil & Fertilizer
It’s always surprising how much dirt you need for a project. The current soil might need new nutrients and be mixed or replaced with soil and fertilizer. You might be excavating clay or other unusable soil and must replace it. For raised beds additional soil is almost always required.
2. Mulch
Mulch is a great groundcover for several reasons. It helps trap moisture under the layer, which means plants won’t need to be waters as often; the layer doesn’t promote weed growth; and as water and time affect the mulch, its nutrients are passed to the soil. A finisher to any garden project.
3. Gravel
Gravel makes a great fill that can “breath,” allowing water to better drain from the location. Since it’s allow a rugged filler that doesn’t compact greatly, it’s great for parking heavy machinery on, such as cars or lawn equipment.
4. Pavers and Bricks
Nothing completes a backyard like a stone path or patio. Pavers and bricks provide a more flexible alternative to concrete and a less time-consuming process than natural stone. Usually purchased by the pallet, both types of stonework come in a staggering array of colors, shapes, and sizes. Before installation you’ll need to compact and level the earth.
5. Sand
When installing a stone floor using the above pavers and bricks, and especially with unworked stone, a bag or two of sand is essential to keeping the stonework level. The sand acts as a buffer and allows you to reposition the stone. After installation more sand is poured between the pavers or bricks to keep them from moving.
6. Retaining Wall Blocks and Edgers
Give your yard some verticality with a retaining wall or raised gardens. Retaining wall blocks are a great way of either mastering your irregular landscape or creating new landmarks. Edgers are ideal for keeping your paths in line as well as outlining your gardens. They both come in all shapes and sizes, prefect for matching with each other and other stonework.
At New England Enterprises we offer full-service landscaping, excavation, and demolition services, but we can also provide help in securing the materials you may need. Let us know if we can help you with major digging, stump removal, or excavations for a pool or pond. We’re here to help with projects big or small, so get in contact with use for a free estimate of your project.