Category: Landscaping Supplies

When to Top-Up Your Mulch

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

As the snow starts to melt, it is time to look around your yard and figure out what areas may need a little TLC this spring and summer. One thing to take special note of is the condition of your mulch. Whether used in flower beds, as a border around your lawn or driveway or to accent a tree or bush, mulch sustains a certain amount of weather-related wear and tear each year. Spring is a great time to top up your mulch and ensure that it looks as fresh and vibrant as the day it was installed.

Why Use Mulch?

Our mulches at Greely Sand & Gravel are natural products made from high-quality wood and coloured with biodegradable dyes. We are proud to offer our customers a wide array of colours and several different textures to ensure that you can find the perfect mulch for your space. The advantages of adding mulch to your flower beds include protecting soil from erosion, adding visual appeal, controlling weed growth, deterring pests, increasing moisture retention, and even replenishing nutrients in the soil through organic matter. Mulch is more than just an added pop of colour - it can be a vital component of a healthy and vibrant flower bed!

Because mulch is a natural product, it is affected by the changing seasons and weather conditions. Long hours of sunlight can cause coloured mulches to fade, while heavy rainfall can wash away a layer of mulch. These are perfectly normal occurrences and one of the main reasons we encourage customers to consider replenishing their mulch each year. When you first install mulch, we suggest laying a generous 3” layer to ensure complete coverage in your space. A 1-2” layer is generally sufficient when adding additional mulch.

Bins of mulch
Flowerbed with fresh mulch

How to Top-Up Mulch

When topping up your mulch, it is a good idea to gently rake the existing mulch first. Doing so can break up any clumps that might have formed and can rotate faded pieces so that more vibrant colour is restored. This is also an excellent time to remove any weeds that may have sprung up through the mulch, and any sticks, stones, or debris that have fallen into the area. Once this is done, you can proceed with adding a 1” layer of new mulch. The easiest way to do this is to spread the mulch gently in the area by shaking it off a shovel. Following this process every year or every other year should ensure that your mulch stays looking fresh and vibrant.

If you are installing mulch in an area for the first time and want something that will require little maintenance, we suggest going with a natural coloured mulch rather than one that has been dyed. The dyes create rich, beautiful hues, but these mulches tend to have more noticeable fading in areas with high sun exposure. We recommend our Composted Pine Mulch for an aesthetically pleasing, lower maintenance option. This naturally deep brown product slowly decomposes into the soil over time, enriching it with organic matter and nutrients.

If you have questions about selecting a variety of mulch, installing it for the first time, or topping up an existing area, you can find lots of helpful information on our website. Once you decide which mulch you want, it is quick and easy to place your order for delivery using our online store. Still have questions? You can always pick up the phone and call us at 613-821-3003. If you want to see our premium selection of mulches before you buy, visit either of our landscape depots, we would be happy to give you a first-hand look at what we have to offer!

Choosing the Right Grass Seed for Your Lawn

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

Topdressing your lawn or starting a new lawn from scratch can seem like overwhelming tasks. Before you even get outside to start the project, there are many decisions regarding materials. Should you use seed or sod? Screened topsoil or a topsoil blend? And what is the difference between coated and non-coated grass seed? How do you know which seed is right for your project?

At Greely Sand & Gravel, we take the time to thoroughly research and carefully source all our products so that we can ensure our customers get the best material for their job. When you purchase from us, you can rest assured that you are getting the very best, and our knowledgeable team will help you select a product that is just right for your needs!

Selecting the Right Grass Seed

When it comes to selecting grass seed, there are many different products on the market at various price points. It can be hard to know the differences between products and what you should look for in quality grass seed. The first step is to assess the area you are trying to cover. How many square feet of lawn do you need to cover? Is the area primarily in the shade, or does it get full sun exposure? Once you have determined these key factors, you will know how much grass seed you need and whether you should look for a particular product that works well in more shaded areas.

watering lawn

Should I Use Coated or Uncoated Grass Seed?

An important thing to look for when purchasing grass seed is whether the seed is coated or not. Many companies that produce grass seed add a coating that is said to help with even distribution, water retention, and fertilizing the seed as it germinates. While these things may sound great, the reality is that often the coating used acts as little more than a filler, meaning that you get less seed in each bag and will likely end up spending more money on grass seed as opposed to selecting a non-coated option. Additionally, if you use high-quality soil with your seed, such as our Greely’s Topdressing Soil, the soil blend itself provides moisture retention and fresh, natural fertilizer to your grass seed.

What Kind of Grass Seed Should I Buy?

Another factor you may be wondering is what kind of grass seed to purchase. From Kentucky Blue Grass to Ryegrass, there are many types, each with its advantages. At Greely Sand & Gravel, we sell three different selections of grass seed, all of which feature a premium blend of different types of grass seed at a carefully calculated ratio to give you a full, luscious-looking lawn. All three options are non-coated seed, ensuring you get 100% grass seed with no fillers. Choose from:

All three options will be available for pick up at both our landscape depots as of mid-April. Visit us at our south or west end locations to stock up on grass seed and learn more about all the great landscaping products we offer!

Two bags of Lawn Seed

If you have questions about choosing the right grass seed or would like assistance with placing your order, please give our office a call…we would be happy to help!

(613) 821-3003

Let Our Mushroom Compost Help Your Garden Grow!

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

Are you looking for an effective way to provide healthy nutrients to your soil to bolster the life and health of your plants? Look no further than Greely Sand and Gravel’s Mushroom Compost. This excellent addition to regular topsoil or garden soil acts as a slow-release fertilizer in your garden.

Mushroom compost also aids in moisture retention, making your garden look healthy while supplying plants with the water they need. Mushroom compost is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, critical to healthy plant growth and development.

How to Use Mushroom Compost

The best time to add mushroom compost to your garden is in the spring, before the growing season. If your garden soil is looking light brown and dry, adding and thoroughly mixing in mushroom compost is a great way to enhance the health of the soil. Simply blend the mushroom compost into the existing soil using a trowel, small shovel, or hoe.

Mushroom compost should not be used on its own, as it is high in salt content and can cause waterlogging. You should also know that having too much mushroom compost can harm the plants because the product is highly concentrated. A good ratio of mushroom compost to soil is one part mushroom compost to two parts soil. This ratio allows the mushroom compost to provide nutrients to the soil without overwhelming the plants.

More About Mushroom Compost

There are a few other essential things to be aware of when planning to use mushroom compost. If you are creating a new garden this year, we recommend using our Greely’s Topdressing Soil, which already has our mushroom compost blended in at the perfect ratio. This saves you the extra step of adding it in yourself after you have created your new garden. If you are working with an existing garden and soil that has already been used for several years, adding mushroom compost is an excellent way to revitalize that existing soil.

Carrots growing in garden

Our Mushroom Compost is Certified Organic

On top of all of these benefits, Greely Sand and Gravel’s Mushroom Compost is now certified for organic growing. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that proper screening and testing procedures have taken place before putting the mushroom compost into your garden. Ottawa customers will be pleased to learn that our mushroom compost is also locally sourced produced in Osgoode, ON.

Mushroom Compost at Landscape Depot

Mushroom compost is typically ready for delivery and pick-up at our landscape depots in mid to late April. We offer delivery by the truckload and in our convenient Greely’s Gardening Bags. If you are only looking for a small amount of mushroom compost to add to a planter, small garden, or garden box, consider coming to pick up a bag or fill a pail at one of our landscape depots, located in Ottawa’s south and west end. This is a great way to save on delivery costs and try out our product before ordering a larger amount.

If you have questions about how to use mushroom compost or would like assistance with placing your order, please give our office a call…we would be happy to help!

(613) 821-3003

When Will Topsoil Be Ready?

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

Now that spring is right around the corner; you may be getting anxious to get your landscaping projects started sooner rather than later! One of the most common questions we get this time of year is – “when will topsoil be available?” and “why is it not ready yet?”

When Will Topsoil Be Ready in Ottawa?

Typically our topsoil is ready to be delivered after the middle of April. The reason why our topsoil is not available earlier is due to the weather in Ottawa. Sometimes we even get snow in April!

Whether you choose our Screened Topsoil or our Greely’s Topdressing Soil, Greely Sand & Gravel’s topsoil is an entirely natural product. We never mix our topsoil with any synthetic compound or preservative. This means that the product will freeze when the weather is cold, just like the ground.

Because of the large quantity of topsoil we move every year, the product is generally stored and screened outside. These factors make the process of preparing topsoil for delivery extremely weather dependent.

What Makes Greely’s Topsoil So Great?

At Greely Sand & Gravel, we care about providing the best quality topsoil to our customers every time they buy from us, at any time of the year. To achieve a top-quality product, we never rush the process of preparing topsoil so that it is in excellent, usable condition when delivered. This means that we wait for our topsoil to defrost before screening it.

The screening process is key, as it removes rocks, sticks, weeds, and anything else that may affect the quality and consistency of our soil. If the soil is still frozen, it forms clumps and cannot pass properly through the screener. Waiting for the soil to defrost adequately in the spring also allows us to ensure that the moisture levels in the soil are appropriate for delivery and end-use. No one wants to end up with a pile of frozen mud at their home!

We appreciate our customers’ patience as we take the time to ensure that our topsoil is perfectly prepared for your project. We understand that it can be tempting to rush the process, but after decades of producing quality topsoil, we guarantee it is worth the wait!

If you want to learn more about what makes Greely’s topsoil so great, read our article 10 Great Reasons to Choose Greely’s Topdressing Soil and learn why it’s been the best Ottawa topsoil for over 40 years!

Order Your Topsoil & Other Landscaping Needs Online

In the meantime, you can always reserve your spot now by placing an order for topsoil delivery through our convenient online store. While you’re planning your order, this is also a great time to ensure that you have everything else you need for your project. Will you need grass seed or sod? Are there tools that you will require to complete the work? Perhaps you want to consider adding a layer of mulch to your flowerbed after you have laid your soil? At Greely Sand & Gravel, we have the products and the expertise to get you ready for this year’s landscaping season.

Screened Topsoil being dumped in to trailer

If you have further questions regarding topsoil preparation and availability, one of our knowledgeable team members would be happy to assist you!

How Many Cubic Yards Do I Need?

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

We may have been experiencing our fair share of snow and freezing temperatures in Ottawa over the past few weeks, but that just makes us more excited for the upcoming spring season! In a few short months, the snow will be melting and you’ll be ready to enjoy your lawn and gardens. Why not take some time now to prepare yourself for this year’s spring maintenance projects? Whether it’s starting a new lawn from scratch, topdressing an existing lawn, creating a new garden, or adding mulch or decorative stone to take your yard to the next level, Greely Sand & Gravel is here to help you plan for a successful landscaping project!

Get an early start to the spring season and lock in your delivery date on our convenient online store. It’s the perfect place to browse our extensive catalogue of landscaping products. From soil to stone, from grass seed to decorative pavers, we have everything you need to transform your lawn or garden this spring. Once you have decided on your project and selected the materials you will be using, the next step in the process is to figure out how much of each product you will need. No one wants to end up being short, or paying too much and ending up with a lot leftover.

To help our customers with this step, Greely Sand & Gravel has a quick, easy-to-use Cubic Yard Calculator located on the left-hand side of each product page on our website. All you will need to use the Calculator is the length, width, and depth of the area you need to cover with your chosen material (soil, sand, stone, etc.). These measurements should be taken in feet and inches, as we sell all our products by the cubic yard. Simply input these dimensions into the Calculator and it will instantly tell you how much product you would need to cover that specific area at your chosen depth.

Keep in mind that if you are compacting your material for the purposes of your project, it is important to ensure you have ordered extra product to allow for compaction. As the compaction rate differs from product to product, it can be difficult to determine how much extra material you will need. If you have questions regarding compaction before ordering, please feel free to call our office to speak with one of our team members.

Once you know how much product you will need, you can then proceed to pricing out different options for delivery. If you only need a small amount of product, or you require small amounts of multiple products, Greely’s Gardening Bags might be a great delivery option for you! These sturdy, convenient bags minimize mess and allow you much more freedom in deciding where your products are placed when delivered. They come in three different sizes for maximum convenience: ¼ cubic yard, ½ cubic yard, and full cubic yard. Additionally, when you purchase two or more bags for delivery on the same date (regardless of size), you will receive a $25 discount off the second and any subsequent bags.

For larger amounts, our dump truck load delivery option is cost-effective, and allows you to have up to two different products delivered on one truck. This is an excellent option for customers who require three or more yards of the same product or of two different products, and who have space on their driveway or in their yard for the product(s) to be dumped loose.

As you plan for your upcoming project, remember that our staff are always on hand to answer your questions, or walk you through different options for products and delivery. You can call our office at 613-821-3003 to speak to one of our knowledgeable and friendly team members. We look forward to working with you to achieve your landscaping goals this year!

Disposabag

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

 

After the back to school rush, it’s time to start thinking about Fall cleaning and preparing your home and yard for winter.

Are you looking for a neat and tidy way to dispose of garden, excavation, or non-hazardous household waste you have around your property? Look no further than Greely Sand & Gravel’s Disposabag service! It’s a fast, efficient, and affordable way for you to get your home or property ready for next season.

The first step in this process is to purchase a Greely Gardening Bag in one of our three convenient sizes: cubic yard, half cubic yard, or quarter cubic yard. You may even have one from an earlier order in the season! This is a great way to use your Greely Gardening Bag after you have emptied it of whatever product you ordered. If you are using a bag that was previously full, ensure that the bag doesn’t have any significant rips or tears that may cause it to open up while being transported.

Fill the bag with whatever waste you may have, as long as it’s garden, excavation, or household waste. Each bag must only contain one type of waste, as each type of waste is disposed of differently. Ensure when you are filling up the bag that it is in a location that can be accessed by our forklift when you are ready to have it picked up. Our forklift requires a minimum of nine feet of clearance to maneuver. Make sure the corner loops are accessible and that you do not fill the bag past the maximum fill line. Once the bag is full, you should be able to close the top of the bag with the attached tarp.

When you are ready, give our office a call or book a pickup of your Disposabag online! We will be glad to remove the bag for you and dispose of the contents. Whenever possible, we recycle construction waste and use garden waste to rehabilitate our quarries. So you can rest assured knowing that your waste is being disposed of in a responsible manner when you use our Disposabag service.

This service is available until the end of October but you can schedule your pick-up any time either online or by calling us at 613-821-3003. Our staff would be happy to help you and are ready to answer any questions you may have about our Disposabags.

Wondering what else you can use that empty Greely Gardening Bag for?

Many people use the bags to store organic material around their property or cover their air conditioners for the winter. If you have another idea for how to use your bag, we would love to hear it! We are passionate about reusing, recycling, and reducing waste in our community.

Fall Topdressing

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

 

While we continue to enjoy a beautiful summer, it is never too early to start planning for the colder weather. Many people think that lawn care happens in the spring and summer seasons only, but there are some helpful things you can do for your lawn in the fall that will make your lawn look beautiful come next spring. In order to get the full, lush, green grass that you’re looking for, it’s important to topdress your lawn as the temperatures get a little cooler in the later months of the year, before the snow flies.

Topdressing your lawn is the process of adding a thin layer of nutritious content to your grass in order to improve the overall soil quality. Adding this layer provides nutrients to your soil which promotes new growth and strengthens your lawn’s ability to retain moisture. As your grass grows each year, the nutrients in the soil become depleted, so it is key to ensure that you are replenishing them regularly.  In addition, adding this layer can help level out bumps and low spots, allowing your lawn to look thick, even, and rich next spring.

If this sounds like something that might be helpful for you, Greely Sand & Gravel can get you set up for fall topdressing. Greely’s Topdressing Soil is perfect for giving your lawn that little extra boost in September and October. This rich triple-mix blend of topsoil, mushroom compost, and black peat moss will enrich your lawn with the nutrition it needs to thrive.

Greely’s Topdressing Soil is available for pickup at both our south-east end and west-end landscape depots. We also offer two convenient delivery methods: dump truck load (for larger areas) or our Greely Gardening Bags (for smaller areas). Our Greely Gardening Bags come in three sizes and are delivered using a forklift to ensure optimal placement of your bag.

To topdress your lawn, simply apply a thin, even layer of the soil to your grass using a rake, spade, or shovel. It is often helpful to use the back end of your rake to level out the layer of soil evenly across your lawn. The layer of soil should be about ¼” to ½” in depth. Beware of spreading the soil too thickly, as you don’t want to choke out your grass. Continue to work the soil into your lawn with a garden tool until the existing grass pokes through and the soil is evenly spread. To allow the soil to permeate, give it a light watering after spreading and continue to water daily if the weather is dry. This process can be done annually in the spring and fall to yield the best results.

If you plan to topdress your lawn this fall, give us a call today at 613-821-3003 or visit our online store to place an order for soil delivery. Give yourself the peace of mind, knowing that your soil will arrive on time for your fall topdressing. Our team will be happy to deliver your soil exactly when and where you need it!

Playground Mulch

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

 

You are ready to take the leap and install a play structure in your backyard - exciting! When it comes to our kids and their surroundings, safety is always a top priority. So ensuring that your new play structure is on a firm and kid-friendly base is key. Before you get your play structure up and running, Greely Sand and Gravel has all the options you need to create the perfect area for your little ones to adventure!

There are three main options when it comes to products used in playgrounds and Greely Sand and Gravel offers all of them.

Playground Sand

Playground Sand is the most commonly used product for playgrounds. Soft and fine in texture, playground sand is a popular option and has undergone an impact surface test to ensure that it is safe for children.

Playground Stone

Playground Stone is composed of small, round stones (5/16” - ⅜” in size) that have undergone impact testing to ensure the safety of the playground’s users. The stone moves when stepped or jumped on in order to reduce the impact, making it a safe option for a playground project.

Playground Mulch

Our third option, playground mulch, comes highly recommended by staff and customers alike. Greely’s Adventure Playground Mulch is a fibrous mulch that is soft and tested for cushionability and accessibility. This mulch has gone through rigorous testing that ensures a soft yet stable foundation for your playground. Our Adventure Playground Mulch is certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), making it an excellent choice for your play structure base. The advantages of this product over sand and stone are increased accessibility (due to excellent compaction) and injury prevention (surface remains soft and cushioned).

You can use our cubic yard calculator (found on every product page on our website) to determine how many cubic yards of mulch you will need. We recommend installing your mulch at least 12” in depth, compacting the mulch in layers, in order to achieve maximum safety and stability. When you have determined how much mulch you need, you can place your order for delivery either online or over the phone and select the delivery method you prefer (dump truckload or Greely Gardening Bag).

To install this mulch, it is important that the area is contained and has been dug to a depth of at least 12”. Once your area is excavated, and you’ve ensured there are no rocks, roots, or stumps approaching the surface, we recommend covering the ground below with a geotextile cloth to prevent the mulch from working its way down into the subsoil. You are now ready to fill the area with Adventure Playground Mulch. It is very important to install the mulch in 4” increments, raking, leveling, and thoroughly compacting each layer. Continue this process until your desired depth is achieved, and then ensure your mulch is leveled off. Your playground base is now ready for use!

At Greely Sand and Gravel, we strive to offer the very best quality products to provide your children with a safe and fun area in which to play. Adventure Playground Mulch is a perfect choice, combining safety, durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. If you would like to learn more about this product or our other options for playgrounds, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable team members. You can get in touch with us today at 613-821-3003!

Crushed Stone & Clear Stone

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

 

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about landscaping, gravel is an essential element in many different projects! From providing drainage away from your home or deck to creating a solid base for your shed or hot tub, gravel is essential. This particular type of stone comes in many sizes and varieties and can go by several different names. Read on to discover what types of gravel we offer and what you need to make your project a success.

The grey, angular stone commonly called gravel is usually limestone that has been crushed to achieve a desired size.

Crushed Stone is gravel that includes pieces of all sizes usually from ⅞” all the way down to stone dust. The pieces are all mixed together, allowing them to compact together, creating a strong and stable surface. Crushed stone is also known as Granular A and is used as a base for sheds and hot tubs, to create and maintain gravel driveways and paths, and as a base for interlock patios.

When crushed stone is being used as a base for a structure, we recommend digging to a depth of at least 6” in the area needing to be covered. Fill the area with crushed stone, stopping every few inches to tamp, compact, and level the surface until you reach your desired height. This will create a level, stable surface for your project. When working in a larger area, you may want to consider renting equipment to help spread, compact, and level the gravel.

Clear Stone is the same product as crushed stone, but it has been put through a sieve to separate the rocks by size. We offer both a ⅜” and a ¾” size for clear stone. Since the pieces are uniform in size, clear stone allows water to drain through it. This makes it the perfect product for putting under a deck or filling low spaces to ensure that water drains away from structures such as homes, sheds, or barns. Clear stone is also the product most commonly used for creating a french drain and for filling window wells.

When installing clear stone, dig and excavate approximately 3” into the ground and fill the area with your desired size of clear stone. To calculate how much you need, use our cubic yard calculator found on any of the product pages of our website. Both crushed stone and clear stone can be delivered by Greely’s Gardening Bag or dump truck load. As this is a very heavy product, the convenience of having it delivered in a Greely’s Gardening Bag might be preferable, particularly for smaller projects. Our Gardening Bags come in three convenient sizes and are delivered and placed using a forklift, meaning that we can place the bag exactly where you need it in most cases!

To learn more about our crushed stone and clear stone or to place an order, visit our online store or call 613-821-3003 to speak to one of our knowledgeable team members.

Riverstone

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

 

When we think of “landscaping” our minds often go right to gardens, plants, and flowerbeds. But rocks and stones can add just as much of a visual effect on your property when applied in the right way! One of the most popular products we sell at Greely Sand & Gravel is our Riverwash Stone, a perfect option for taking your landscaping project to the next level. Riverwash Stone is a mix of small, smooth, lightly coloured stones, and is available in four different size categories. These stones can be used to create stunning walkways, accent an inground pool, transform areas where grass struggles to grow, or craft the perfect low-maintenance rock garden.

Choosing the Right Size of Riverwash Stone

In order to allow our customers the most options when it comes to customizing their project, our Riverwash Stone comes in the following size categories:

  • ⅜” - ⅝”
  • ⅞” - 1”
  • ½” - 2”
  • 2” - 5”

A smaller size is ideal for areas that will be used for walking or under lawn furniture, planters, or garden boxes. The smaller the stone, the more easily it will settle when applied, creating a more firm and stable surface when compared to a larger stone size.

Larger stones can create a stunning visual effect when used as a border around a pool area, or between two properties, or in a rock garden. Riverwash stone allows for good drainage in areas that tend to be wet and require little to no maintenance to keep them looking neat, tidy, and beautiful. When wet, the natural colours of the stone become vibrant and add another dimension to the look created.

Installing Riverwash Stone

Once you have decided on the size of stone you require, you can use our cubic yard calculator (found on every product page on our website) to determine how many cubic yards of stone you will need. Then, you can place your order for delivery either online or over the phone and select the delivery method you prefer (dump truck load or Greely Gardening Bag).

Before spreading the stone in the area you wish to cover, dig about 3” - 6” of soil out of the entire space and cover the ground below with a geotextile cloth to prevent weeds from growing up through your stones. We offer several high quality options for geotextile cloth, including ones that are grey in colour, so they can blend in with the stone. We recommend spreading at least a 3” layer of stone across the entire area to achieve sufficient coverage and maximize the visual effect. Keep in mind that the larger the stone, the thicker you will need to spread it. When you are finished spreading the stone, be sure to rinse it with your garden hose to remove any dust and dirt, and to bring out the natural colours.

Riverwash Stone can also be used in window wells and is a popular favourite for windows with high visibility. Riverwash Stone provides the same level of drainage as clear stone (gravel) but offers much more visual appeal.

If you have questions about our locally sourced Riverwash Stone or are ready to place an order, please give us a call at 613-821-3003 or visit our online store. We are always ready to help you make your landscaping dream a reality!