Category: Landscaping Supplies

Digging Into Topsoil

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

Black earth, garden soil, dirt, topsoil. Soil can go by many different names and have many different applications! So how do you figure out what type of soil you need for your project? We can help! Greely Sand & Gravel has high quality topsoil perfect for every project.

Topsoil generally refers to a sandy loam soil that is typically used as a base for a new lawn. Greely’s topsoil is screened multiple times before it is ready for sale. The screening process involves sifting the topsoil to remove rocks, sticks, roots, and clumps.

Greely’s screened topsoil provides a perfect base for your new lawn, whether you are using seed or sod. Screened topsoil has the right amount of structure to give a solid foundation and is easy to work with when spreading and leveling your space. This soil is also ideal for filling and repairing small holes in your existing lawn.

It is important to note that screened topsoil is not the same as sterilized topsoil. Sterilized topsoil refers to soil that has been put through a sterilization process to kill weeds or any other seeds that might be in the soil. At Greely Sand & Gravel, our customers’ health and safety is our top priority and therefore we never subject our products to any chemical treatments such as certain methods of sterilization. Screening is a completely natural process that simply removes unwanted debris from the topsoil. Due to the non-chemical nature of the screening process, it is impossible for us to guarantee weed-free topsoil.

Greely’s Screened Topsoil is a quality product that has been trusted by homeowners and landscapers in the Ottawa area for nearly 40 years! We offer our screened topsoil for delivery by dump truck or in our Greely Gardening Bags. While topsoil typically isn’t ready until the end of April or beginning of May, you can place your order online ahead of time to ensure that your project gets off to a good start in the spring!

Planning Your Spring Landscaping Project

Posted on by Greely Sand And Gravel

It may be cold and snowy outside, but now is the time to start planning for your spring and summer landscaping projects! Having a clear and well-laid out plan is key to making your project a success. Greely Sand and Gravel is your one-stop shop for all the materials you will need to make your landscaping dream a reality! By following the simple steps below, you can ensure that you are ready to go when landscaping season is here.

Preparing for Your Delivery

The first step in preparing for a delivery of landscaping materials is to calculate how much product you will need. To do this, first find the dimensions (length, width, depth) of each area you will be working on (e.g. your lawn, flowerbed, or garden). 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.

For more information on how much depth is recommended when using a specific product, or which product is best for your project, give our office a call!

Once you know how much of each product you need for your project, you are ready to place your order.

Ordering Your Delivery

Now that you know how many cubic yards of product you will need, the next step is deciding if you want your product delivered by dump truck load or in a Greely Gardening Bag (cubic yard bag). The following chart outlines the benefits and things to consider regarding each mode of delivery.

Delivery Mode Benefits Things to Consider
Dump Truck Load The more you order, the more money you save! The product will be delivered loose and will be deposited on your lawn or driveway, requiring at least a 15’x15’ space.
Greely Gardening Bag Keeps your product contained - great for smaller spaces or projects that might take several days or weeks to complete. Unless you are buying multiple different products, this delivery method will be more expensive than the dump truck option for larger orders.

You can place your order quickly and easily using our online store. Remember to double check your quantities and delivery mode before confirming your order. We also strongly recommend including detailed notes in the comments section of the order form to help your delivery driver place your product exactly where you need it. You are also welcome to place your order over the phone with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members.

While we can sometimes offer same-day delivery on orders placed over the phone, please note that online orders must be placed at least 48 hours in advance of your desired delivery date. Delivery slots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend placing your order in advance, especially during our busy spring season!

If you want to learn more about our delivery methods, or have questions about your specific project, our team is always ready and willing to help. Just pick up the phone and give us a call at 613-821-3003.

Receiving Your Delivery

Our goal is to make the delivery of your landscaping materials a smooth and easy process every time! If you will not be home on the day scheduled for your delivery, it is very important that you remember to mark the spot where you would like your product placed. You can mark the spot using sidewalk chalk, a weighted down tarp, a pilon, etc. If you are receiving your product by dump truck load, we recommend putting a tarp down if you want to keep the product a little more contained.

Please note that our dump trucks require a clearance area of 14’ wide and 25’ high. If you are concerned about overhead wires or low-hanging tree branches in the area where your delivery will take place, please call our office to figure out a solution. Our Greely Gardening Bags are delivered using a forklift that requires 9’ of clearance (width).

Our drivers have all received training so they can provide safe, contactless delivery to our customers. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your order or scheduled delivery, please give our office a call!