Benefits of Buying Bulk Landscape Supplies

Are you in the habit of buying landscape supplies in bags or boxes from your local big-box home improvement center? While this may seem simple enough, you may be missing out on the benefits of buying bulk. There are several reasons to ditch the trip to the box store and contact your local landscape supplier for bulk products. Consider these benefits of buying bulk landscape supplies for your next project.

More Options

Whether you are looking for mulch or gravel, a bulk landscape supply store can give you many more options than your typical home improvement center. This is their specialty, helping you find the best product for your project, not just the one that is most commonly used. You can find several different types of each product and unique options not found in most box home improvement centers.

Better Prices

When you buy in bulk, you tend to get better pricing. You are not paying for packaging, just the actual product. This is especially important for larger projects. If you are landscaping your yard and need soil, gravel, mulch and other landscape supplies, consider the cost savings of buying bulk. Not only is it cheaper by volume, you can get the exact amount you need for your project without buying excess.

Delivery Options

Don’t break your back hauling bags of rocks, gravel and soil, or loading paver stones. Many bulk landscape supply stores offer delivery right to your home. This saves you time and stress on your body, and can reduce damage or wear on your vehicles.

For your next landscaping project, get the right products at a better price by buying bulk landscape supplies. Visit your local landscape supplier that offers bulk products to checkout their selection, pricing and delivery options.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Enjoy the Uniqueness of Travertine Cladding

Are you in love with the beauty of natural stone? While you will see many patios and even indoor flooring created with natural stone, below your feet is not the only place to put stone. One of the most popular options in stone products is travertine, which can be quarried into pavers, flagstone or tiles. While travertine will be found as a paving material, its beauty can go to bigger heights when used as wall cladding for your home.

What is Travertine?

Travertine is a limestone that has beautiful porous veins similar to marble. Like marble, it is often quarried in Italy, with many more quarries in Turkey. Travertine has an elegant style that is often deemed luxurious due to the higher cost of the stone. While it can stain, the new options in sealing can protect the stone, giving it more versatility in uses.

Indoor or Outdoor Wall Cladding

If you want to give your home a unique and stunning look, consider using travertine wall cladding. This can be a gorgeous style for your entry way, using travertine cladding as siding around your front door. Another option is bringing it indoors. Travertine can add natural beauty to your kitchen, bathroom or sunroom as indoor wall cladding. When sealed, it can retain its beauty and be protected from staining, helping it last for decades.

If you want to explore new options for decorating your home, consider travertine for paving and wall cladding. Visit your local quarry to view the many types of travertine to find the colors and types of cuts to create interesting variations for your indoor and outdoor wall cladding, as well as paving and flooring.

Posted on behalf of:
Culbreth Stone
1968 US-41
Pelham, TN 37366
(423) 930-8249

What Are the Benefits of Using Aquasorb?

Does it seem like the water you use in your irrigation just disappears, yet your lawn and gardens are left thirsty for more? Water can evaporate quickly, or soak down into the soil, needing replacement frequently and adding to your watering costs. One option for soil moisture improvement is using Aquasorb, a soil enhancement that stores water to keep it available for your plants.

What is Aquasorb?

Aquasorb is a moisture retainer for the soil, made from aniocic polyacrylamide polymer that can hold up to 400% its weight in water. When added to the soil for lawns or gardens, it absorbs the moisture and keeps the level perfect for growth. It can absorb extra water that can drown roots, then release it as needed when the soil begins to become too dry. Some of the benefits include:

  • Perfect soil moisture for sustained times
  • Reducing irrigation costs – 20-25% less water is needed for plant/grass maintenance
  • Improve health of plants and grass
  • Improve the root system
  • Ideal for transporting plants from one place to another
  • Enhances sod applications

Aquasorb comes in different varieties, depending on where and how it will be used, with particles ranging from, 03 to 4.0 millimeters. The product can be added to water or to soil, and is useful for residential and commercial applications, even for large agricultural projects.

If you want to improve the moisture content of your soil and reduce the amount of watering needed for plant growth, visit your local landscape supplier to learn more about Aquasorb. It could be the best way to improve the health of your lawn and gardens, while minimizing your irrigation frequency.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Basics About Sod Dressing

There are many tactics that can be used to improve the health of your lawn. One option is using sod dressing throughout the summer to change the soil composition and level of your yard. Sod dressing is made from sand and bio-degradable components and used in the top-dressing process to improve the health of your lawn. Here are some of the basics about this process and how it can help improve your lawn’s health.

Reasons to Add Sod Dressing

There are a few lawn issues that sod dressing can treat. If you have the following problems, sod dressing could be beneficial:

  • Unlevel lawn
  • Thick thatch
  • Low nutrients in the soil
  • Low PH levels

Adding sod dressing can help fill in low spots in the lawn, while hastening the thatch breakdown. As the biodegradable ingredients decompose, they can add nutrients to the soil and increase the PH levels. There are different types of sod dressing for various grass types, suited to the nutrient needs of each grass.

Top Dressing Lawns

To add sod dressing, it is usually best to wait until you have completed your first three spring mows, giving the grass the opportunity to establish strong roots. Then the lawn can be cut to about a ½ inch to an inch, or scalped. Use the top dressing to fill in low areas. Once the lawn has leveled over the next few weeks, scalp again and apply sod dressing to the entire lawn for overall thatch reduction and improved soil composition.

If your lawn needs rejuvenation, top dressing can be a possible solution. Visit your local landscape supplier to find the right sod dressing for your type of grass to get the best results.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Uses for Natural Sand in Landscaping

Are you planning a project that will require sand? There are many landscaping and home improvement projects that use sand as a material. From creating a play area for the kids to paving a patio with natural stone, sand can be a useful material for your home projects. However, it is important to choose the right sand for your projects. Here are some of the landscaping and other home projects that may require sand and the right sand to buy for the best results.

  • Sand is perfect for helping stabilize pavers and fill the cracks between the stones. It can be poured before the pavers are lain, then swept into cracks to keep pavers in place and reduce weed growth. Granite dust is a good choice for this type of project.
  • Leveling lawns. There are types of grasses that require leveling with the use of sand. Some grasses that benefit from river sand leveling include Zoyzia, Bermuda and Centipede.
  • Sand boxes and playgrounds. For a sand box or sand for around swing sets and slides, white beach sand is preferable. You will want white sand that has been screened to remove impurities.
  • River sand can be used to help improve drainage in soils and gardens.
  • Masonry. Masonry uses sand to create mortar and cement; natural sand can have advantages to manufactured varieties due to the smooth exteriors of granules.

While manufactured sand can have its benefits for some applications, natural sand can be a wise choice for your home projects. If you need sand for a project, visit your local landscape supplier that offers natural sand options.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Difference Between Fieldstone and Flagstone

If you are considering a natural stone landscaping project, flagstones and fieldstones are likely to pop up in any research you do on the subject. Both are very popular for paving, retaining walls and for structures like fire pits. They both are durable and beautiful, but which is the best for your project? Here is a basic overview of both types of natural stone to help you determine which is the right option for your next landscaping project.

Fieldstone Basics

Simply, fieldstones are rough stones that are often found in fields or other above ground areas. Unlike many stones that are quarried, fieldstones are naturally formed, not cut from large layers of rock. These stones have broken off mountains and cliffs, many from glaciers, floods and other natural occurrences. Their beauty and shape are derived from many years of exposure to the elements.

Fieldstone is wonderful for creating unique, natural stone structures or focal points. They are irregular in shape, so they are better for rock fencing, garden ponds and fire pits, but can be used for a garden path.

Flagstone

Flagstone is a quarried stone, usually limestone or bluestone, cut into flat pavers. These stones can be cut in similar shapes or sizes, and come in a variety of colors, depending on the quarry location. Flagstones can be used for siding, fireplaces and many natural stone surfaces, but are one of the most popular options for natural stone paving. Flagstones are wonderful for patios, walkways and around your pool.

Before your next natural stone project, visit your local quarry that offers both options of natural stone. Your can view the different options available and make the best choice for your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617

Is All Sand the Same?

If you love to tackle do-it-yourself landscaping projects, you know getting the right materials is vital to obtaining the best results. The wrong grass type for your lawn can make it impossible to get the lush lawn you prefer or the incorrect fertilizer can do more harm than good. When a project calls for sand, the same is true. There are different types of sand that are best for certain applications. Knowing the difference can ensure you get the results you desire for your next project that calls for using sand.

Paving Stones

For sand to fill in around and under paving stone, you want a fine dust that will settle and compact quickly. A good choice for this project is granite dust that is easy to sweep into those cracks and will stay in place.

Leveling Lawns

When adding sand to level lawns in grass types that work best in a sandy soil, choose river sand.  Bermuda and Zoysia grasses are two lawns that require sand for the best results when leveling. Make sure to choose a well-screened river sand that will not add large chunks of gravel to your lawn.

Drainage for Soil

If adding sand to improve the drainage in your soil, river sand is best. 

Masonry Work

When adding sand for mortar when performing masonry work, a grittier white sand is a good choice. 

Sand Boxes for Play Areas

For a thick sand box for the kids, use white sand. This is also good for leveling property or landscaping areas.

Knowing the right type of sand to use is important since the consistency varies with the source. Talk to your landscape supplier before ordering sand for your project to ensure you get the right type for your project.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

3 Projects Made Easier with Paver Blocks

If you are attempting to improve your landscaping or outdoor area with hardscapes, you want to make it as simple as possible. Many DIY projects can go wrong, costing you more in money and time than if you hired a contractor. When it comes to hardscapes, you want a material that is easy to work with to ensure your project turns out the way you hoped. Pre-formed paver blocks are a great option for many hardscapes. Here are three projects that can be made easier with the use of pavers.

  1. Retaining walls. Building a retaining wall is not as easy as it looks. Pavers can help make it a little easier by giving you interlocking pieces that stack together perfectly. Depending on the wall and pressure, some paver retaining walls will not even need mortar.
  2. Patio. Building a new patio can be easy to do right when you use uniform pavers. In most cases, you can use the sand and sweep method to hold them in place. This means no cement or mortar and you can readjust your pavers as needed for design or repairs down the road.
  3. Raised gardens. Want to build raised flower or vegetable gardens in your yard? Paver blocks are perfect for forming square, rectangle or even circular enclosures to fill with soil for planting. For circular gardens, ask your landscape supply store for circular pavers that are curved on the edge.

When starting a new hardscape project using pavers, visit your local landscape supply for advice on purchasing the right pavers for your job. You can also pickup sand, mortar or other supplies you need, all in one stop.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

Does Your Landscape Supplier Have Everything You Need?

Yard work and gardening can be some of the most rewarding work you can do around the home. How enjoyable that work will be is largely dependent on accessibility of the supplies you need.

A landscape supplier should be able to help you find the right sod or mulch for your landscape, and have it in stock for you. A real bonus is one that will deliver everything to your door. Landscaping supplies can be bulky, and the bigger jobs aren’t going to fit in the average SUV, so you should definitely find a supplier who delivers.

Not everything in your yard can be green and lush, sadly. Some of it has to be paved over for vehicle and foot traffic. Does your local landscape supply company also provide paving materials? What sort of materials fit your application and architectural style? Stone, brick or concrete? Are you planning to install a flagstone patio? Make sure you’ve got a good selection to choose from to complete your project, and expert help in making your selection.

Your choice of sod for the lawn is important too. The amount of traffic, sun, and water your lawn will get has a lot of influence on which kind of sod you’ll need to use on your landscape for a healthy lawn. A supplier in your area will know which works best, and have it in stock.

Find a local landscape supply company who can advise you on what materials are best for your landscape. Expert guidance in choosing the right supplies will save you time and money, and let you spend more of both enjoying and improving your outdoor paradise.

Posted on behalf of:
Green Brothers Earth Works
680 Franklin Rd, SE
Marietta, GA 30067
(770) 590-8220

5 Ways to Add Beauty to Your Home with Natural Stone

Home design trends come and go, but using natural stone always adds a classic beauty to any home project. Since humans began building homes, stone has been key material due to its durability and strength. Now, natural stone is also valued for the unique beauty it can add to a home, along with its long-lasting qualities. Here are five ideas on how to add the beauty of natural stone to your home.

  1. Stone walkways. Forget boring, industrial concrete for your front walkway. Add dimension to your front walk with natural stones such as flagstones or field stones.
  2. Stunning patio. Blend your patio in with nature by creating a unique flooring made from natural stone. Choose irregular-shaped stones for a natural appearance.
  3. Fire pit or outdoor fireplace. Add beauty and warmth to your backyard with a gorgeous fire feature for those cool nights. A natural stone fire pit or fireplace is a perfect addition to your outdoor living area.
  4. Replace your siding with stone veneer. Have you always wanted to live in a stone cottage? Make your existing home into your dream home by replacing your siding with stone veneer. You will have the look of a stone cottage without the cost of stone walls.
  5. Retaining walls and stone fences. Natural stone is perfect for building retaining walls for erosion control. It can also create an aesthetically pleasing fence for a classic, country appeal.

There are so many options for using natural stone to add to the beauty of your home. Contact your local quarry to learn more about all the stone products available for our home projects.

Posted on behalf of:
Alliance Stone
5420 Campground Rd
Cumming, GA 30040
(404) 759-0617