Category: Do It Yourself

March Break is a great time to start thinking ahead to warmer weather! Although it may not feel like it, spring will be here before we know it and there’s no better time to start planning to achieve your landscaping goals in 2025. Whether it’s a new lawn or a bigger patio, a vegetable garden or a stunning new pool, Greely Sand & Gravel is here to assist in making your dream a reality. Read on for important information to help you prepare for your landscaping project.

What is Your Project?

Start by determining your project and scope. Are you hoping to repair a couple spots or start a whole new lawn? Are you extending your patio area or starting a new one from scratch? Once you have decided on your project, take detailed measurements of the area in which you will be working. This will allow you to determine how much of each product you will need to complete the job.

Let’s say your project is starting a new lawn from scratch.

How much topsoil do I need?

Once you have the measurements of the area you need to cover, finding out how much topsoil you need to start your new lawn is easy with Greely Sand & Gravel’s Cubic Yard Calculator.

Collect your measurements in feet and inches and then input them into our Cubic Yard Calculator which can be found on the left side of every product page on our website from a desktop or in the purchase options section on a mobile device. When building a base for a new lawn, you want to create a layer of topsoil about 4” to 6” deep. Greely Sand & Gravel’s Screened Topsoil is the perfect base layer for your new lawn!

For more information on how much depth is recommended when using a specific product, give our office a call.

The calculator will tell you exactly how many cubic yards of product you will need to complete your project. A cubic yard is three feet wide by three feet tall, by three feet long. We use a bucket on a loader that is exactly sized to carry one cubic yard to measure out your product when you purchase it.

How much topsoil do I need for laying sod?

If you are starting your new lawn using sod rather than grass seed, it is still crucial to create a solid and healthy base layer so that your sod has the best opportunity to create a strong root system. Depending on the quality of your existing topsoil, consider adding up 4” to 6” of our Screened Topsoil, level it in the area, and prepare to lay your sod. Remember, sod needs to be generously watered every day, in order to survive and thrive!

Should I choose bag or bulk delivery?

At Greely Sand & Gravel, we prioritize your convenience! So we offer delivery of nearly all our landscaping products by either bulk delivery (loose in a dump truck) or in one of our Greely Gardening Bags.

Bulk delivery by dump truck is a great option for larger orders, as the more you buy, the more you save! Keep in mind that when a product is delivered loose, it will spread out and take up more space on your lawn or driveway.

Greely Gardening Bags are perfect for more compact spaces, offering the convenience of having your product contained and able to be placed where you need it for your project. A cubic yard in a bag often appears larger than a cubic yard delivered loosely, but we promise it is the exact same amount! The fact that loose loads spread out when dumped may account for the difference in apparent size. Here’s a great video comparing 1 cubic yard bag to 1 cubic yard bulk

When can I order?

Our online store is open NOW and accepting orders! While topsoil delivery usually begins late-April, depending on weather, go ahead and place your order now to avoid the spring rush. You can select your product, amount, and desired delivery method and day all online.

Still have questions? Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are here to help! Simply call our office today at 613-821-3003 and we will assist you with planning and placing your order.

So ignore the snow and start getting ready to achieve your landscaping goals this year!

 

Winter is nearly here again, and it’s time to get prepared! Last year, we had a warmer-than-usual winter, but the amount of rain and snow combined with the constant freeze-and-thaw cycle made for some hazardous walking and driving situations. Ice, snow, and cold temperatures can all cause slips, trips, and falls. Greely Sand & Gravel is stocked and ready to provide top-quality de-icing products to ensure your steps, walkways, and driveway remain safe this winter. Don’t leave it to the last minute. Prepare now and have peace of mind when that first blast of winter weather hits

This year, we have five high-quality, effective winter products in stock:

• Thawrox Salt
• Road Salt
• Winter Chip Stone
• Salt and Sand Mix
• Salt and Chip Mix

Thawrox Salt is our premium de-icing product, especially effective at lower temperatures. In addition to providing safe, effective de-icing, using Thawrox Salt will reduce your overall costs because it has a higher adhesion rate than other products, meaning that a little goes a long way.

Road Salt is broken into large granules for easy spreading on roads, sidewalks and other surfaces. We recommend this product for commercial use as a roadway de-icer.

Winter Chip Stone is perfect for those looking for a salt-free winter abrasive. Due to its pebble-like texture, this product is heavy enough to stay in place, resisting wind and won’t disappear under a layer of fresh snow.

Salt and Sand Mix increases traction on thick, icy surfaces or snow-covered roadways. If you are concerned about damage to concrete and asphalt, this product might be a great option as it only contains enough salt to prevent the sand from freezing.

Salt and Chip Mix provides added traction in slippery areas at an economical price. Great for helping to prevent slips, trips, and falls in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as stairs or walkways that tend to get icy.

We have a new dedicated salt depot at 5362 Bank Street for our commercial customers. Come pick up large loads of our salt, sand, and other ice-melting products at one convenient location. To find out more, call 613-875-7258.

Our dedicated team also offers commercial snow removal and ice control services in the Ottawa area. Visit our web store and click “Snow / Ice” to learn more about our professional and efficient service.

At Greely Sand & Gravel, we are committed to providing everything you need to stay safe outside this winter! Whether you are a homeowner or a commercial contractor, we have products that can meet your needs. To learn more about all our winter products and where you can purchase them, please call our office at 613-821-3003.

Whether it’s a patio area around your pool, a new driveway, or a walkway to your front door, a beautiful interlocking stone feature can be a wonderful addition to your home. Interlock can add significantly to the value and curb appeal of your home and provide a versatile and easy-to-maintain place for your outdoor activities. Interlock stone projects are highly customizable and can be created to meet your exact specifications.

The most common way to install interlock is to dig an area at least 6” deep, fill the space with ⅞” crushed stone, and level off the top with stone dust. Greely Sand & Gravel offers both products to provide a solid base for your interlock project. As you add gravel to the space, tamp and level every two to three inches to compact the material. Once all the gravel is spread, tamped, and levelled, spread the stone dust on top to create a 1”-2” thick layer across the whole area.

Another option for the top layer is concrete sand, which allows for easier levelling and better drainage compared with traditional stone dust. However, either product will achieve the desired result.

Another alternative is the Premium Bedding Stone, also known as the High Performance Bedding Stone. This stone performs the same function as crushed stone and stone dust but in one convenient product! When contained by edging material, the particles in Premium Bedding Stone provide a very rigid and stable surface where you can place your interlocking stone. Additionally, Premium Bedding Stone drains water very effectively and wicks the water away, especially when well-compacted. Because this method requires only one product, it may be a good option for those looking for an efficient, simple way to create a patio base in an enclosed area.

When you have your level, compacted base, it is time to lay your interlock! This is where your creativity and personal preference can play a huge role. There are many different options on the market regarding interlocking stones’ colour, size, and shape. We recommend laying out your stones roughly in the pattern you plan to follow before placing them on the base to ensure that you like the arrangement.  Try our BEAST Plastic Paver Edging to improve alignment when installing your interlock.

Once this work is complete and you’ve laid your patio stones, we recommend filling the joints (empty spaces between the stones) with polymeric sand. Polymeric sand is a specially formulated mixture of sand and high-performance polymer. This product can be used for joints up to 4” in width. In addition to providing a stable joint between your patio stones, this product also reduces weed growth and the formation of ant hills and prevents erosion. We offer this product in four colours: beige, grey, white, and black. Spread and sweep the sand into the joints of your interlock and wash over with a hose to fill the joints. Once this is done and allowed to dry, your patio will be ready to use!

You can pick up any of the products mentioned above at our convenient landscape depots, or have them delivered to your house by dump truck load or in a Greely Gardening Bag. Our Greely Gardening Bags come in three sizes - Full Yard, Half Yard, and Quarter Yard - so you can order the exact amount needed for your project. If you have more questions about the products, please visit our online store or call us at 613-821-3003 to talk to one of our qualified team members.

When it comes to creating a functional and durable outdoor living space, having the right materials and tools makes all the difference! At Greely Sand & Gravel, we carry a variety of materials to help you turn your backyard dreams into a reality. Whether your project is adding a shed for organized storage or creating a relaxation haven by installing a hot tub, our premium products can help you start your project off right!

Sheds

If you’re looking for a storage solution for your tools, building or installing a shed can help in many ways. No successful shed project is complete without first laying the foundation material for the structure. When deciding which material to use, it’s important to understand the differences between Greely Sand & Gravel’s gravel products.

¾” Clear Limestone consists only of ¾” gravel pieces, meaning water can easily drain through the gaps between the stones. This prevents water from pooling on the surface and allows it to filter through the area. Alternatively, 7/8” Crushed Limestone contains stones the size of 7/8” all the way down to fine Stone Dust. This type of stone compacts into a solid base layer, which does not allow water to run through.

If your shed is being placed directly on a pad of gravel and you want to drain water away from the foundation, ¾” Clear Limestone is likely the best product for you. However, if you want a solid base for a shed in an area where water pooling is not an issue, 7/8” Crushed Limestone would be best.

Hot Tubs

Hot tubs are a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, even during the cold Ottawa winters. Like a shed, your hot tub requires a solid foundation to be properly and safely installed. As you want your hot tub to remain fixed in one position with no movement, you must excavate a deep layer of earth out of the area in order to make room for the base material. Most of your base material should be 7/8” Crushed Limestone, which creates a solid foundation for your hot tub. To make levelling the top of the base easier, we recommend using Stone Dust for the final 1-2” of your base. Combining these two products gives you a sturdy, durable base and easy to compact and level, ensuring your hot tub is securely grounded in your prepared area.

If you are looking to build a base for a shed or hot tub, Greely Sand & Gravel is your one-stop shop for all the products you require. Need to calculate how much product you will use in your project? Greely Sand & Gravel’s cubic yard calculator on most product pages on our website can help you do this quickly and easily. Additionally, if you have questions about your specific project, pick up the phone and give us a call today at 613-821-3003. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help!

Are you looking to improve your home with a low-maintenance yet eye-catching patio space? An interlock patio or walkway may seem daunting, but Greely Sand & Gravel’s products, tools, and tips are here to help your project succeed. From the base layers to patio stones, from premium BEAST edging material to polymeric sand, Greely Sand Gravel is always fully stocked and ready to help you make your interlock project a success!

The first step in creating your interlock patio or walkway is to install the base material. Landscapers will typically dig out the area and then backfill it with ⅞” Crushed Stone, also known as granular aggregate (“GA”). Once the 4”-6” base layer is installed, spreading a 1”-2” layer of either stone dust or washed concrete sand over the top is essential. This is the layer on which your patio stones will be placed and allows you to level the stones quickly. Alternatively, a 4”-6” layer of Premium Bedding Stone can serve as a base layer and offer a more permeable layer under your interlock patio or walkway.  Once the layers are levelled, you can place your interlock stones in your desired pattern.  It may be helpful to have the rocks laid out ahead of time in the order you need to lay them.

Once all of your stones are laid, it is essential to ensure they will all stay ideally in place, even through years of wear and tear. Greely Sand & Gravel’s BEAST plastic paver edging helps keep your interlock stones tightly in place. These edging strips are 8’ long, 1.75” high, and 3” wide, providing stability to your patio edge while being flexible enough to adapt to your specific space. Pavers and interlock stones can be installed on either side of the edging once it is installed, and each piece of edging can be used to form both straight lines and curves. Additionally, BEAST plastic paver edging is easy to install with Greely Sand & Gravel’s 10” spiral nails, making the job quick and efficient.

Once your stones are placed and you’ve ensured the edges are adequately secured, Greely Sand & Gravel also offers polymeric sand to fill the gaps between your patio stones or pavers. This product ensures that stones stay set in place while not allowing any weed growth or gaps between stones. Greely Sand & Gravel’s polymeric sand is available in grey, beige, black, and white and can fill gaps as broad as 4”. This product will not stain your stones and is safe for use near pools and walking areas. Additionally, filling the gaps between your interlock stones with polymeric sand helps them to remain stable and secure, even throughout extreme weather and the freeze/thaw cycle that is so common in Ottawa!

Now that you know all the steps, you can pick your products and create your own beautiful outdoor interlock patio or walkway. For more information and to view our wide selection of top-quality products, visit our online store or one of our two conveniently located landscape depots.

Do you still have questions you want answered before you begin planning your project? Call us at 613-821-3003 today. Our knowledgeable team will be happy to assist you!

Summer is in full-swing and chances are that the more time you spend in your yard, the more projects, dreams, and ideas you are considering for your landscaping! Whether you are installing a pool, fixing the grade around your home, digging a trench, creating a volleyball court, or shoring up a beachfront, you will need some type of sand to complete your project. With our extensive experience and expertise, Greely Sand & Gravel stocks a wide variety of top-quality sands suitable for all kinds of applications, ensuring you have the right product for your project.

Using the correct products ensures its overall success when completing a landscaping project. Sand comes in many varieties, each with a specific set of use cases, as outlined below.

Washed Brick Sand, also known as masonry sand, is a finely textured sand that can be mixed with cement for bricklaying. Because of its fine texture, it is also a great option for creating a base beneath a swimming pool liner.

Washed concrete sand is coarser in texture than brick sand and is optimal for mixing with cement. Additionally, many people use Concrete Sand as the base layer underneath their paving stones. The coarse texture of Concrete Sand makes levelling the stones quick and easy.

Greely Sand & Gravel’s Playground Sand is an extremely versatile sand that is the ideal choice for families, contractors, and schools looking to create a safe and fun play area. This sand is washed, leaving only the sand grains with no silt or clay mixed in. All organic matter has been washed out of this sand, making it a great product for beaches, playgrounds, outdoor volleyball courts, and more. This sand does not compact, allowing water to flow through it and reducing weed growth. Additionally, this product has undergone rigorous impact testing which ensures it is safe for children and for use in play areas, providing you with peace of mind.

Hydro Sand is a soft sand containing silt and clay, perfect for filling trenches and burying wires. Because it will compact if exposed to natural elements, it is not recommended for under playgrounds or on beach fronts. However, hydro sand is a wonderful option for smaller, contained sandboxes, as the sand will compact together nicely to build sandcastles. Its soft texture makes it a wonderful choice for burying utility wires with little risk of damage.

Finally, Greely Sand & Gravel’s Screened Sand is a natural screened sand that can backfill large areas or build up the grade around your home. This product should not be used in a playground or patio area; instead, it is a great value-conscious option for a project that requires a large quantity of sand.

Once you know which type of sand is right for your project, use the cubic yard calculator located on every product page on our website to determine how much sand you will need. Depending on the quantity and number of products you are ordering, you can choose bulk load delivery by dump truck, or for smaller amounts, consider choosing our convenient Greely Gardening Bags, making your sand delivery hassle-free and convenient.

Greely Sand & Gravel’s team is dedicated to helping you find the product that suits your project. Call, visit our online store, or stop by one of our landscape depots for more details and to find out how we can help you accomplish your landscaping goals this summer!

When the pace of life feels crazy and hectic, or you feel overwhelmed by errands, deadlines, and other pressures, having a calm and soothing outdoor space to relax and unwind can be an excellent way to help maintain good mental health. A unique landscaping feature, rock gardens or Zen gardens, has been gaining popularity recently.

A Zen garden or rock garden emphasizes the beauty and simplicity of natural products, arranged in such a way as to allow for serenity and meditation. Due to the austere nature of this type of landscaping feature, less regular maintenance is required than in a regular garden or flowerbed. If you are looking for a unique and low-maintenance way to add interest, visual appeal, and serenity to your outdoor space, a rock or Zen garden might be the perfect project for you!

Forming a base is the first step in creating a Zen or rock garden. After removing 3-6” of soil from the desired area, we strongly recommend laying down a geotextile cloth or landscaping fabric. This physical barrier prevents weeds from growing up through the stones and also keeps the stones neatly contained rather than allowing them to mix with the soil over time. Greely Sand & Gravel’s PRO SILVER PLUS geotextile is our most popular product for this purpose due to its neutral colour and long-lasting durability. At this step, you may also want to consider adding some landscape edging to keep the stones from drifting into your lawn.

Once you have prepared your space, fill it with a solid base layer of small stones. Greely Sand & Gravel has several excellent options for this, including:

• Riverwash Stone
• Decorative White Stone
• Black Granite
• Decomposed Granite
• Playground Stone

Any of the products above would work well as the canvas to build your unique rock garden. When selecting one, think about the colour scheme and visual aesthetic you want to achieve. Consider the stability the different stones provide if you plan to walk on them often or place furniture in the space. Decomposed Granite and ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone are excellent choices for stability under foot or furniture.

Now, it's time for the exciting part - choosing the stones and boulders that will be the heart of your garden. This is where your creativity and personal style can truly shine. Pick a variety of boulders and stones in different sizes and envision how you’d like to arrange them. To handpick your stones, we invite you to our head office at 1971 Old Prescott Road. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you and let you see and select your stones. For smaller boulders, our Ornamental Pond Stone collection is worth considering.

We have large, decorative boulders in stock in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and cuts. Our team will assist you in the selection process and then organize the delivery and placement of your stone(s) at a time that works for you.

Whatever size, shape, or style of rock garden or Zen garden you are looking to create, Greely Sand & Gravel has exactly the products you will need! With endless combinations of stones possible, creating a unique, serene, and peaceful space for relaxation, meditation, and play is easy, quick, and enjoyable.

To see our brilliant array of stones and decorative boulders, come visit us today at our main landscape depot in Greely. Our team is looking forward to working with you to make your vision a reality!

Every pet owner knows that your furry friend is an important part of your family! When creating a functional landscape plan for your property, it is key to consider how you, your family, and your friends will use the space and how your dog or cat will use it. At Greely Sand & Gravel, we want to help you create spaces that everyone in the family can enjoy, including those furbabies!

There are several different ways to create a pet-friendly area in your yard or incorporate pet-friendly materials into your overall landscaping design. First, consider whether you want to create a dedicated pet space or go for a more multi-purpose area. This can depend on many factors, including how many pets you have, how much time they spend outside, and the size and shape of your property.

Once you decide on your layout, the next step is to choose what products you will use to create your pet-friendly space. When it comes to dogs and cats, you want to select products that are safe, easy to walk on, and also help control odours that can accompany animal waste. At Greely Sand & Gravel, we recommend three different product options for creating pet-friendly spaces:

• Decomposed Granite
• Playground Stone
• ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone

All three products are high-quality, aesthetically pleasing, and create a clean, neutral look for any area of your yard, regardless of whether you have pets! We recommend these smaller stones because they are typically easier to walk on and provide more stability if you plan to add any outdoor furniture to the space.

When it comes to specifically pet-friendly features, the odour-dispelling properties of Decomposed Granite are a definite plus. In addition to being one of the more visually appealing landscaping products, Decomposed Granite is much finer and more stable than traditional gravel and packs down well to create a safe and stable walking surface for people and pets.

You may have noticed our Greely Sand & Gravel Decomposed Granite in the Fallowfield Via Rail Memorial Park or the Jack Purcell Dog Park in Ottawa. Tried and tested in areas of all shapes and sizes, Decomposed Granite remains a trusted customer favourite for creating pet-friendly spaces.

If you need to cover a large area and are looking for a product that is both affordable and pet-friendly, our Playground Stone is a great option to consider. Rigorously tested for safety, Greely Sand & Gravel’s Playground Stone provides excellent durability at a value-minded price point. In terms of pet-friendly spaces, this option is better suited for cats and smaller dogs due to the very small stone size.

Lastly, Greely Sand & Gravel’s ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone is a classic customer favourite. Locally sourced and composed of a beautiful array of colourful hues, this stone is more decorative and can boost your home's curb appeal. Additionally, the size and shape of the stones make picking up and disposing of pet waste a breeze.

Interested in learning more about creating a pet-friendly outdoor space at your home? Visit our comprehensive online store today, or call our friendly team at 613-821-3003. We can’t wait to help you pick the perfect product for your whole family, furry friends and all!

Outdoor living - one of the best parts of spring, summer, and fall in Ottawa. No matter your property's size or shape, an outdoor living space creates a wonderful spot to gather with family and friends to enjoy good weather, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. Not to mention that homes with functional and welcoming outdoor living spaces generally see an increase in their resale value. If you want to create an outdoor living space on your property this summer, Greely Sand & Gravel has all the products you need to get started!

When you think about creating an outdoor living area for barbequing, eating, and maybe enjoying a campfire, your mind might jump straight to an interlock patio or some large flagstones. However, there are many other options for creating a functional and beautiful base for your outdoor living area.

The first thing to consider when planning your outdoor living area is size. How big is your yard? Will this patio area be an addition to an already existing deck or porch? Are you creating anoutdoor living area around a pool? What size and type of furniture will you be placing in the space? Once you have the answers to these questions, you can determine how big your outdoor living area will be. You will also want to consider the placement of your outdoor living area. Make sure that there is adequate drainage and that water won’t pool in the space you are considering.

Once you have the dimensions of the space, consider what product might be the right choice for your area. While a traditional interlock patio can be beautiful and functional, many other options exist! If you are looking for a product that is easy to install and provides great drainage, a rustic, loose stone look might work. Two of our premium products that we would recommend for this type of project are:

Both of these products are naturally occurring, Canadian-sourced products that add both beauty and functionality to your outdoor living space.

Decomposed Granite is obtained from decomposed or eroded hard granite rocks, so the colours may vary from gray and black to red and green. When used well, Decomposed Granite can be one of the most versatile, functional, and aesthetically pleasing hardscaping products available. Decomposed Granite offers a unique texture that creates an excellent base for walking or underneath patio furniture or a barbeque. Additionally, due to its specialized physical properties, mud, dirt, animal waste, and even odours do not stick to it, making it an excellent choice for areas frequented by pets.

If you want a slightly larger and more rustic stone, our ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone is a wonderful option! Also known as pea stone, ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone is small enough to create a stable base for walking or underneath furniture but still gives that rustic, aesthetically pleasing look you would expect from a coloured Riverwash Stone. Our locally sourced Riverwash Stone contains various naturally occurring colours, making it an excellent canvas upon which to build your outdoor living area or barbeque station.

Both Decomposed Granite and ⅜” - ⅝” Riverwash Stone are available for bulk load delivery or in convenient Greely Gardening Bags - now available in three sizes. Place your order online or over the phone and select a delivery date that works for you!

For more information about all our landscaping and hardscaping products, don’t hesitate to visit our online store, call our office, or visit one of our two landscape depots. We can’t wait to help make your perfect outdoor living space a reality!

Many homeowners share the same concern during the spring season: the potential of flooding or water damage on their property. The past few years in Ottawa have seen record-setting floods, resulting in very high groundwater levels in many areas. Even if your community does not experience high groundwater levels, major rainstorms can cause issues for homeowners, especially if your property lacks proper drainage.

So, how can you improve the drainage system around your home and decrease your risk of water damage? Grading around your home can drastically help with diverting water away from your foundation.

Grading around your home is ensuring that the soil, sand, or stone around your foundation slopes away from your house rather than towards it. Ideally, the ground should slope away from the foundation in all directions. This allows rainwater to flow away from the house rather than pool around it. Whether dealing with rainwater or groundwater, grading around your home will help keep your property safe from damage and your basement dry.

You can always seek professional help from a landscaping or foundation care company when it comes to grading around your home. However, there are many ways that you as a homeowner can be proactive about preventing water damage to your property.

A great place to start is by assessing the current grading around your home. Walk around the outer walls of your home and look for any areas where water may be pooling near the foundation. Pay attention to low spots or areas where the ground slopes towards the house. These are potential trouble spots that need to be addressed.

If you want to correct the grading around your home, you will need screened sand as a base layer and about six inches of topsoil to go on top of the sand. Remove any excess fill from the area and then install the sand, making sure to slope it away from your home. Use a rake and a level to ensure the slope is consistent. Once the grade has been corrected, spread the topsoil over the sand and then plant grass seed or lay sod, remembering to water frequently.

As mentioned above, many professionals can help you improve the grading around your home. A retaining wall or French drain might sometimes be needed to prevent erosion and improve drainage. Whatever method you choose, Greely Sand & Gravel has all the landscaping products you need to complete proper grading around your home.

Visit our online store today to learn more about our premium products, fast and convenient delivery options, and the different services we offer to help make your landscaping project a success. Still unsure about what you need? Come visit us at one of our two landscape depots or call our office. Our friendly staff is here to help!