Category: Do It Yourself

Spring is in full swing and summer weather is just around the corner. If you are anticipating spending a lot of time outside this summer, why not make this the year to invest in a brand new lawn? Whether your home is a new build or your current lawn is in need of an upgrade, Greely Sand & Gravel has the products and service you need to create a picture-perfect lawn.

Choosing Between Seed or Sod

When creating a brand new lawn from scratch, there are two options: you can start a lawn from seed or install sod. Seeding your lawn is the process of spreading seeds on freshly laid out and graded soil. While this can be done any time of year, it is more advantageous to seed your lawn in the spring or fall, when the nights are cooler in temperature. Installing sod consists of laying and joining rolls of sod on freshly laid out and graded soil. Sodding your lawn can be done any time of year, but it’s important to be prepared to water your sod thoroughly after installation. While sod is typically the more expensive option, this method allows you to have a beautiful, mature lawn in a short period of time, as opposed to allowing time for seeds to germinate and grow.

How deep should my soil be?

For grass to grow well from either seed or sod, the screened topsoil should be at least four to six inches in depth. This will give ample depth for the seeds and sod to attach themselves to the soil and begin deep growth.

How to Seed

Once you have spread screened topsoil in your area to a depth of between four and six inches, grade the soil to fill any low spots and to ensure a nice, even base. Additionally, be sure to grade your soil away from any buildings, such as your house, for drainage purposes. Once your soil is laid out and graded, spread the seed at a consistent rate across your area, using either your hands (for smaller areas) or a spreader (for larger areas). Once this is done, we recommend rolling over the soil with a lawn roller. Once you’ve completed these steps, be sure to water the area thoroughly, at least three or four times a day, especially when it is sunny. 

How to Install Sod

Similar to seeding your lawn, screened topsoil should first be spread to a depth of four to six inches, graded, and compacted to be as level as possible. Before installing the rolls of sod, spread water over the surface of the soil. Begin laying the rolls of sod along a straight line. Ensure there are no gaps between the rolls of sod. If needed, because of a slope, use stakes to pin the sod in place so that it does not move. Wherever necessary, trim the edges of the sod with a knife in order to make clean, straight lines at the edges of your lawn. Once all of your sod is installed, level it with a lawn roller in order to ensure the lawn is flat and that there are no air pockets underneath the sod. Then, water the sod thoroughly, preferably using a sprinkler. Especially if you are attempting to grow sod in hot and dry conditions, this last step is the most important in order to keep your sod growing and to allow the roots to attach to the soil beneath. Make sure to install your sod within 24 hours of delivery, to keep the grass alive and healthy.

Having trouble deciding which new lawn method is right for you? Feel free to consult our website or to give us a call at 613-821-3003 today. Our knowledgeable staff would be happy to assist you!

The sun is shining, the snow is melting, and gardening season is just around the corner! Early spring is the perfect time to start thinking about preparing your garden for planting. Whether it’s a new garden that you are looking forward to building or an existing garden that needs some TLC, Greely Sand & Gravel is here to help with quality products and industry expertise!

Reviving an Existing Garden

If you already have a garden on your property, you are well on your way to beautiful flowers, tasty vegetables, or whatever else you’re planning to grow. However, over the years, soil can become dry and hard and you may notice your seeds struggling to germinate and thrive. This problem can be greatly alleviated by adding either mushroom compost or Greely’s Topdressing Soil to your existing garden. Mushroom compost contains high levels of organic matter, which is key to providing your plants with the nutrients they need to grow. Greely’s Topdressing Soil is a triple mix containing screened topsoil for structure, mushroom compost for nutrients, and black peat to help with moisture retention. Be careful when adding pure mushroom compost to your garden as it is quite acidic and can be tough on plants if it is not used sparingly and mixed well into the existing soil. To avoid this issue, we recommend using our pre-mixed Greely’s Topdressing Soil.

Starting a New Garden

If this is the year you finally decided to add a garden to your property, you’ve come to the right place! A flower garden can add natural beauty while a vegetable garden is a great way to spend time outdoors and enhance your meals with homegrown goodness. When starting a new garden, we recommend digging down about 12 inches in the entire space you plan to use. For any type of garden, we always recommend our Greely’s Topdressing Soil. This pre-blended triple mix gives you structure, nutrients, and moisture retention, making it ideal for all plants. It is also certified organic to give you peace of mind when it comes to planting fruits and vegetables.

This year, we are proud to announce that we are offering hand-built garden boxes, perfect for smaller properties where you may not have the space for a full garden. Also new are the bundles of organic veggie seeds and organic herb seeds.  Simply fill your garden box with Greely’s Topdressing Soil and you are ready to plant your organic seeds!

The ideal time to plant outdoors is after the final frost of the winter. This typically falls around the end of May. However, you can begin preparing your garden as soon as the ground is no longer frozen, so don’t put off ordering your soil! To find out more about our soils, organic seeds, garden boxes, and many other products, give us a call today at 613-821-3003!