Aug 1, 2017 | Blog
Throughout Ohio stone driveways are a common sight. Limestone driveways are easy to work with and extremely affordable. It also provides you with versatility in terms of layout and style.
If the wet spring & summer weather had you seeing puddles in your stone driveway, now is the time to fill in those low areas. The timing is right when your driveway is dry & there are no wet spots. Over time, your stone drive will inevitably develop potholes and ruts. The best way to repair these areas is to fill them with #304 or #411 crushed limestone. Fill the hole in layers tamping each layer as you go. A simple way to compact the area is to run the wheels of your car up & down the repair site a few times.
So don’t ignore those trouble spots. The sooner you take care of them the less likely they will grow into major holes & ruts.
Jul 31, 2017 | Blog, Mulch News
Creating a garden path is mostly common sense. But it does require a lot of elbow grease and some skill. There are a few different types of material that can be used but it is up to you to decide what suits your need. Here are some path ideas that can be done on a budget.
Consider a gravel path (pea gravel / #8 washed gravel) for a low budget and time project. You can then edge the pathway with round boulders. Mulch is another inexpensive option for paths. Wood chips & playground mulch can both be used as a decorative covering for paths and walkways.
The path should be generous enough in width to accommodate more than one traveler side by side. The minimum recommended width for a two person walkway is 42 inches. This is especially important for paths that will be used frequently. Some people like to make a little garden out of life and walk down a path.
“Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?”
― Garth Nix, Sabriel
Tips for building pathways
• Spray or remove any vegetation that is growing in the pathway
• Remove or fill over any rocks or roots that will create an uneven walking surface
• Cover the soil with landscape fabric to deter weeds and prevent the fill material from mixing with the soil. Don’t use plastic. It will catch water and create a soggy path.
• Have gravel delivered, especially if you need more than a ton.
• If you want a path that’s firm enough to roll a wheelbarrow on, use crushed limestone and tamp it after leveling it. (Pea rock or other rounded stone won’t compact.) Use a hand tamper for short paths. Rent a vibrating-plate tamper for long paths.
Jul 25, 2017 | Blog, Summer
We can all agree that creating a backyard oasis is tough but well worth it. One way to transform your yard into a summer haven is by adding an above ground pool. A pool is a perfect way to entertain and to keep cool. If you prepare beforehand, installing a pool can be done quickly.
How long does it take to install an above ground pool? Most above ground pools can be installed in one day. You can also hire a professional installer. To install a pool you need a level surface that will support the pool shell. The ground must be covered by sand to protect the liner. Mason sand should be used for this. Mason sand is tan, fairly fine textured sand and is also known as play sand. It does not have any pebbles or stones which means it is ideal for protecting pool liners.
So keep cool and enjoy some fun water activities during these hot summer days!
Mason sand has many uses:
• Under pool liners
• In sandboxes or play areas
• Under paving stones or bricks
• In mixing concrete or mortar
• Golf course sand traps
Jul 24, 2017 | Blog
A French drain may be your remedy if you have a waterlogged yard or a wet basement. Water always flows downhill, and by the easiest path possible. That’s the basic concept behind a French drain, a slightly sloped trench filled with round gravel and a pipe that diverts water away from your house. Henry French, a judge and farmer, promoted the idea in a 1859 book about farm drainage.
French drains provide an easy channel for water to flow through. Water runs into a gravel-filled trench, then into perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench. We recommend #57 washed gravel for this application. It is a smooth round stone that allows the water to percolate through to your drainage pipe. Water travels freely through the pipe, which empties at safe distance from the house.
When You Need a French Drain:
• When you have a problem with surface water, such as a soggy lawn or a driveway that washes out
• If water is getting into your basement
• If you’re building a retaining wall on a hillside
Jul 10, 2017 | Blog, Mulch News
It’s my favorite season of the year, camping season!! Are you a happy camper? I am and I’ll tell you why. After this rainy spring we had I finally got my muddy campsite cleaned up! I went over to Three-Z-Supply and picked up a couple of yards of their woodchips in my truck and hauled them out there (they do offer delivery as well). Our lot had gotten so muddy we had to rope off a section to keep our friends kids from running through and playing in all that mess. It was impossible to keep our dog clean too. We go there to relax and enjoy, not to be mopping up floors all day!
Let me tell you a little bit about these woodchips…they come from lumber mills and are natural wood or tan colored. The chips are excellent for padding under swing sets and on play areas. They are decorative coverings for paths and walkways (which is how I applied them), they look great around trees and in flower beds and are even used for ground cover in dog kennels.
Our lot looks so much better now, the muddy areas are under control and everything is nice, neat and natural looking. I recommend you head over and get some woodchips to beautify your areas as well.
Have a great summer everyone and happy camping season to you!
Jul 7, 2017 | Blog, Flowers
A friend of mine texted me a picture of a plant to help her identify it. It turned out to be St. John’s Wort. This popular plant is able to thrive in poor soil conditions and has healing properties. St John’s Wort thrives in poor soil conditions and does best in partial shade so that its leaves do not get sun scorch. It blooms from early summer through mid September. The bright yellow flowers make this an attractive cheery plant. Once established the plant will flourish in all soil conditions. To keep this shrubby plant in shape it is best to prune it in the early spring just before signs of new growth.
The oil in the blooms & leaves helps give relief from certain skin ailments such as burns. You can also benefit from the anti inflammatory properties of the flowers. Try tossing a handful of blooms & leaves in you salad. St John/’s Wort also has been used in the treatment of depression and is a mood enhancer, It’s herbal supplement can be found in most drug stores. As with any herbal supplement check with your Pharmacist first before trying it.
This pretty perennial flowering shrub is sure to enhance not only your garden but your mood as well!
