Using Beach Quality Sand to Cover Mud, Where to Purchase, its Cost,
Delivery and Using Sand in Tennessee Landscaping
Having lived
in many states and personally developing landscapes at numerous homes, I've
learned that a number of factors contour the soil and earth comes in many
materials, colors and textures. In much of TN and NC that earth is red clay and
rocky soil. I live on top of a sizable hill, but still had to deal with mud for
days after rainfall because the ground would not dry or drain. To worsen this
problem, after a couple of hours of rain, foot traffic tears up grass and
clumps of clay clings to a shoe like wet dough.
Digging and Planting in Sevierville, TN
I typically plant trees and shrubs every year and one of the challenges of red clay is the lack of drainage. I have dug holes in the rain and they fill with water like clay pots until refilled. In addition to red clay is the underlying rock. My yard may be worst case scenario with rock, but together wet rock and clay is heavy, extremely hard to dig through and in most cases needs to be replaced with topsoil and soil conditioner for plants that require more water. I explain Tennessee gardening in my article, Springtime in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains
How to get rid of the mud?
I have battled the red clay in my yard for years and have spent many hours landscaping. In my article, DIY River Rock Pathway with Low Wattage Lights and Raised Flower Beds for Under $2,300, I explain how I solved the challenges I faced with a muddy walkway behind our house. From pathways to decks and rock, my biggest decision was to finally cover the clay in our yard with beach quality sand. After two weeks in Vero Beach, Florida and doing some landscaping while there, I thought how nice it was to work in sand instead of red clay and rocky soil.
Delivery of Beach Quality Sand, Cost and Where to Purchase?
Before buying beach sand I tried to find information about using sand in yard work and landscaping. Surprisingly, other than articles describing golf course dirt mixes and filling holes, relatively few articles provided info about the use of sand in yards, besides to only mix a couple of inches on top of existing dirt, because it could kill the lawn (I had bigger plans).
Start by calling your local rock quarry to get the best sand providers. I used Aggregates USA (865) 573-7625, 2216 W Blount Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
If you only want a few bags, you can purchase arena sand, all purpose sand, and play sand at home improvement stores for around $2 to $4 a bag. I purchased 22 tons (the largest dump truck full), but you can buy any amount you want. With the delivery fee, I paid almost $1000 for 22 tons of beach quality sand that arrived in a massive dump truck. (Pictured)
After arrival, I thought this was too much sand, but would rather have more sand than less. It took four long days for me to shovel the sand from the front yard to all the places I needed.
The Attributes of Sand and How it Looks
We purchased the beach sand in early March (warm March) and I loved the look and the feel on a warm day. Later, we had freezing weather after rain in which the sand turned to rock and on wet days the sand sticks to your shoes getting in the house. It has been 6 months now and the grass has completely grown through the sand again and I mowed like normal this summer.
Overall, the sand is great. The yard is no longer slick with clay and dries fast after rainy days. Also, the clay tends to crack open on hot days allowing the sand to work its way further down into the yard. I've considered getting more beach sand eventually. You don't have to buy the expensive beach sand, they sell other grades that are cheaper. With the Misty Mate Systems and sand it's like being in Florida. Good luck and good gardening.
Please visit my DIY website @ DIYforanyone.com for more home improvement and money saving tips.
Digging and Planting in Sevierville, TN
I typically plant trees and shrubs every year and one of the challenges of red clay is the lack of drainage. I have dug holes in the rain and they fill with water like clay pots until refilled. In addition to red clay is the underlying rock. My yard may be worst case scenario with rock, but together wet rock and clay is heavy, extremely hard to dig through and in most cases needs to be replaced with topsoil and soil conditioner for plants that require more water. I explain Tennessee gardening in my article, Springtime in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains
How to get rid of the mud?
I have battled the red clay in my yard for years and have spent many hours landscaping. In my article, DIY River Rock Pathway with Low Wattage Lights and Raised Flower Beds for Under $2,300, I explain how I solved the challenges I faced with a muddy walkway behind our house. From pathways to decks and rock, my biggest decision was to finally cover the clay in our yard with beach quality sand. After two weeks in Vero Beach, Florida and doing some landscaping while there, I thought how nice it was to work in sand instead of red clay and rocky soil.
Delivery of Beach Quality Sand, Cost and Where to Purchase?
Before buying beach sand I tried to find information about using sand in yard work and landscaping. Surprisingly, other than articles describing golf course dirt mixes and filling holes, relatively few articles provided info about the use of sand in yards, besides to only mix a couple of inches on top of existing dirt, because it could kill the lawn (I had bigger plans).
Start by calling your local rock quarry to get the best sand providers. I used Aggregates USA (865) 573-7625, 2216 W Blount Ave, Knoxville, TN 37920
If you only want a few bags, you can purchase arena sand, all purpose sand, and play sand at home improvement stores for around $2 to $4 a bag. I purchased 22 tons (the largest dump truck full), but you can buy any amount you want. With the delivery fee, I paid almost $1000 for 22 tons of beach quality sand that arrived in a massive dump truck. (Pictured)
After arrival, I thought this was too much sand, but would rather have more sand than less. It took four long days for me to shovel the sand from the front yard to all the places I needed.
The Attributes of Sand and How it Looks
We purchased the beach sand in early March (warm March) and I loved the look and the feel on a warm day. Later, we had freezing weather after rain in which the sand turned to rock and on wet days the sand sticks to your shoes getting in the house. It has been 6 months now and the grass has completely grown through the sand again and I mowed like normal this summer.
Overall, the sand is great. The yard is no longer slick with clay and dries fast after rainy days. Also, the clay tends to crack open on hot days allowing the sand to work its way further down into the yard. I've considered getting more beach sand eventually. You don't have to buy the expensive beach sand, they sell other grades that are cheaper. With the Misty Mate Systems and sand it's like being in Florida. Good luck and good gardening.
Please visit my DIY website @ DIYforanyone.com for more home improvement and money saving tips.
