What Materials do Landscapers Use?

A landscaped yard will increase your home’s value and overall curb appeal. Creating a beautiful outdoor space can improve your quality of life, and bringing nature around your home can positively affect your mood and mental health. Landscaping your yard is an investment of your time and money, and it is essential to choose the suitable materials of the best quality to get the most out of your efforts.

Ensure you have suitable landscaping materials for your project; trust professionals at Quality Landscaping Supplies for all your needs!

This article will explain the most used landscape materials and their purpose and benefits.

rolling out new sod

Soil

There is much more to soil than dirt, and choosing the right kind is essential to achieving the best possible results for your landscaping project. Topsoil is soil that we remove from the top layer of the earth. The textures of topsoil can vary depending on the location, but it generally contains a mixture of silt, sand, and clay.

Screened topsoil is soil processed through a screener to remove larger items and natural debris such as rocks, grass, branches, and weeds. A high-quality screened topsoil is a general-purpose soil used in a garden, under the sod, or in flowerpots.

Unscreened topsoil is soil that has yet to be through a screener and still contains natural debris. We recommend unscreened topsoil when you need to level out a large surface or fill a low-lying area.

Garden soil is topsoil mixed with different organic matter such as compost or fertilizer to meet the specific needs of your garden project, such as in a vegetable garden, flower garden, or when planting trees and shrubs.

piles of bulk landscaping materials

Mulch

Mulch is any material that covers the surface of the soil, and landscapers commonly use it around gardens, plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. Mulch is a natural barrier that protects the soil and adds a beautiful finishing touch to your garden’s overall aesthetic. This protective layer helps prevent erosion, retain moisture, improve drainage, reduce weed growth, and supply the soil with nutrients.

Mulch can be organic or synthetic. Organic mulch decomposes over time and supplies the soil with essential nutrients. The natural breakdown process of organic mulch makes it a temporary option that you must replace every few years. Organic mulch is bark, wood chips, compost, and grass cuttings.

bulk landscaping rocks

Gravel & Sand

Gravel and sand are versatile materials used in various ways for landscaping. In the early stages of landscaping, gravel and sand are commonly used to level out uneven areas and form the foundation for landscaping projects.

Landscapers use gravel or sand under pavers, bricks, cement patio stones, ponds, and other garden structures. Both can fill in the space between pavers and edges on walkways. Gravel and sand can also fill a large area, such as a driveway or parking pad. Many people use sand to fill a backyard sandbox or a playground.

Decorative Rocks

Decorative rocks add texture, contrast, and function to landscaping projects and are a common material that landscapers use. They are durable, low maintenance, and can come in different sizes, shapes, and colours. You can get creative using them by creating patterns and shapes or adding colour to an otherwise dull area.

Landscapers often use decorative rocks in the following ways:

  • As a border around grass or a garden
  • To line a driveway
  • In place of grass or sod (great if you don’t like mowing)
  • As a retaining wall
  • To be used as a path
  • As a rock garden
  • In water features such as a fountain or pond
  • As mulch

Decorative rocks are affordable, and they do not need replacement once installed. They are a great option to have as an alternative to grass to help create a low-maintenance landscape.

Living Plants

Landscapers use various living plants to add colour, beauty, and function to an outdoor space. This includes grass, sod, plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and vines. Trees and shrubs provide shade and privacy, improve air quality and look amazing along property lines. Trees and Shrubs can also provide shelter and food for wildlife such as birds and squirrels. Flowers can be pleasantly fragrant and attract desirable insects such as bees and butterflies.

Summary

Using the right landscaping supplies takes planning and careful consideration to ensure your landscaping project turns out beautiful and is long-lasting. A professional at Quality Landscaping Supplies can help you choose the right landscaping materials based on your specific landscape, budget, and vision. Come in today to get started!

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Quality Landscaping Supplies
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Call: 780-488-8655
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