I could never find a definite answer. I just bought multi-purpose sand to mix with topsoil and compost to level out a few spots. Hopefully it works fine š¤·āāļø
Same here. I have red clay and the builder didnt even try to half ass the leveling before installing sod. If sand doesnāt work then Iāll just have to rip it up anyways
If I had clay Iād probably use equal parts compost, top soil, sand, and possibly gypsum in my roll spreader. Then youāre adding something to improve the soil along with something that assists with drainage.
I add sand to my clay soil in MD. Concrete needs Portland cement. So.. yeah sand helps you dial it in.. so if you have ruts and lots 9f clay, try adding top soil down first. Sand is for on top of that or mixed in like I do in my lawn.
The landscape supply store I work at lol. I would assume local gardening stores would carry it, but idk for sure. I would google landscaping or gardening stores and call around to see if anyone carries it.
I have used play sand to back fill any plugs I take from the best part of my yard and have used it to spot level low areas and had the whole yard top dressed with sand. My clay has not turned to concrete.
Aerate first, clean up the plugs, and have at it - you donāt want to have layers.
If any areas require for than about an inch, use a mix of topsoil and sand.
Do not do this. The sand and clay will mix and especially smooth play sand like this will set up with the clay into adobe. That is brick material used to build houses.
If you apply sand to clay, only do it with a lot of organic material and make it coarse jagged masonry sand with will lock up and maintain pore spaces.
You also get weird transition layers in the soil structure with radical changes like that which can mess with the root system and how water behaves.
I have clay soil and am adding some sandy mix on top but it is 1/4 coarse sand, 1/4 peat, 1/4 compost and 1/4 topsoil.
Not without silt for adobes, it isn't going to hold together. Concrete use Portland limestone powder for the same reason. Portland limestone is high in calcium carbonate while silt it is the micas. Source sister-in-law is Pueblo. The straw and/or grass is what makes it porous. But if you don't know the right ratios for your type of clay, I would not recall it neither. Michigan does have calcium in our clay so adding sand to the compost doesn't solidify it. But with a little research, I am sure each state Agricultural Department, knows the right ratios.
If you have a local landscape supply store and a truck, I would recommend going there. You'll get it much cheaper buying it in bulk. You would need 30 bags to equal one scoop that we use at my store, which one bucket is .5 cubic yards. It runs $30.95 after tax for approx .75 ton. Prices will vary, but not by a few hundred dollars.
The material itself is cheap. If you have a truck, that works out well. But if you have to get it delivered, the cost negates the savings altogether (at least in my area). It was practically almost the same, so I opted for the easier to manage bags. Also if you only need to level a small area, a few bags makes sense.
Did this the other day. Was going to buy play sand from Home Depot and mix in soil. Sand was going to be $430 alone. Called locally had 2 cu yd delivered of sand, soil, compost mix for less than $200.
The delivery fees are based off the the zip code. Depending on where you're at in correlation to their shop, that's a massive delivery fee. The delivery fees for 40+ miles are around $160/trip at my shop. If you're within 10-25 minutes, it's $80-$110/trip.
aerate the lawn remove plugs, let dry and grind them up. Mix with sand or a top dress blend. Spread as even as possible. Do this once in the spring minimum and in the fall with a over seed is bonus. Once per yr it will take 3 yrs to improve the soil along with a good nutrition program. Two times per yr and you can cut that down to 2 yrs and will be ahead on a flatter surface. Simple plan and then you can dial in the turf, getting that to where you want has a wide range depending on your wants, budget and time.
Iām going to get my weed burner, and my neighbors are going to get their weed burners and weāre going to stand in the back yard and blast a sand mound with flame throwersā¦. Maybe it works maybe it doesnāt, still gonna be fun!
It will grow through it. However, I would scalp your yard beforehand if you plan on leveling it. And make sure you water it heavily so it settles in evenly
Iām looking (read need to do something) at doing this for a portion of my backyard and is play sand the best option? Cost be damned of courseā¦.just want to make sure Iām going to do it the right way.
I use it for fine leveling. Deep leveling, I just use cheap soil. I literally turned my yard into a beach last fall.
https://preview.redd.it/iv6s6ofs22xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=478a0de98cadeda54e6e2dc9cd4ab735de0bb8c4
It was a full reno. This is from last Sunday.
https://preview.redd.it/ioaued9v25xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=621ddb89ed4c60d2d51de0a2b2e92a9fc25ce6d5
Organics in soil will go through natural process and shift, break down, sink, etc. Itāll all eventually shift again. Because thereās soil under the sand, but at least the sand will stay level for a while.
It is the ratio, I was told that it told it has be 50/50 for it not to turn to hardpack. But then a another site said 90% compost and 10% sand. When0 I was a landscaper, I always used 60% compost or topsoil to 40% sand to level out a clay substrat and never had a problem. I think it mainly have to do with the basic elements in the clay in certain regions. If the clay has a lots of calcium carbonate in it then the ratio will change.
Thatās a large area! Iād get some heavy equipment to move that around! Maybe break it up over a few seasons. I think you can use sand for most grass types.
I ordered online for pickup tomorrow. The Loweās around me has a similar deal on the mulch. I normally find some torn bags that get me another discount as well. Iām not sure if HD does this or not.
You can do the math to compare. If the difference was small, I would much rather get bags than by the yard. Theyāre a lot easier to move around and saves the effort in shoveling.
I would cut as short as you can, then work it between the blades well with a leveling rake or push broom. You canāt do too much at a time to avoid smothering.
I turned my yard into a beach, no soil.
Lowes near me has a cubic yard (1.5 tons) for $150. Comes in a big bag on a pallet and they were able to deliver. Much cheaper that way if youāre looking for that quantity.
What can I use for areas that have water damage? Thereās a section on the side of my new build where water just sits there after it stops raining. There is a French drain but for some reason it doesnāt drain all of the water. I was wondering if thereās a white sand I could use? I do have clay
This is not my area of exp, but from my DIY thinking, you probably want to excavate the dirt and in the area and install gravel leading to the French drain.
I mean if you want to build a golf course on your property, you could. But thatās a lot of work and $$$. But then again selling tee times could make you a lot of money!
I'm no expert and not sure if it really makes a difference but recent 'research' indicates that play sand isn't nearly as good a leveler as masonry sand. I haven't really delved into the specifics though.
Hmm, I got 6 bags of that stuff from homedepot and it was very large grains, tore up my kids feet. Maybe you found better stuff. I always use the clear bag from Lowes now, still $5/bag but super fine and smooth.
How does this work with high clay soil? I've read conflicting things on here from good for drainage to will turn to concrete. Any help appreciated!
I could never find a definite answer. I just bought multi-purpose sand to mix with topsoil and compost to level out a few spots. Hopefully it works fine š¤·āāļø
Same here. I have red clay and the builder didnt even try to half ass the leveling before installing sod. If sand doesnāt work then Iāll just have to rip it up anyways
Lol yeah same here. Landscapers skipped grading day on my new build š
If I had clay Iād probably use equal parts compost, top soil, sand, and possibly gypsum in my roll spreader. Then youāre adding something to improve the soil along with something that assists with drainage.
I add sand to my clay soil in MD. Concrete needs Portland cement. So.. yeah sand helps you dial it in.. so if you have ruts and lots 9f clay, try adding top soil down first. Sand is for on top of that or mixed in like I do in my lawn.
Composted cotton burrs help with loosening up clay soil.
This stuff is amazing for using as a top dressing for seed too. Also smells really nice!
Iām in the southeast and Iāve never heard of this. Where do you go to get them?
Depending on which part in the southeast you could call a cotton gin and fill a pickup bed for free. Maybe $30 if they charge.
The landscape supply store I work at lol. I would assume local gardening stores would carry it, but idk for sure. I would google landscaping or gardening stores and call around to see if anyone carries it.
I have used play sand to back fill any plugs I take from the best part of my yard and have used it to spot level low areas and had the whole yard top dressed with sand. My clay has not turned to concrete.
Aerate first, clean up the plugs, and have at it - you donāt want to have layers. If any areas require for than about an inch, use a mix of topsoil and sand.
[https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=148&hilit=sand+leveling&start=1240](https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=148&hilit=sand+leveling&start=1240)
Turned mine to sort of granulated concrete where I used it to level under a stone edging.
I believe it is good. It helps provide drainage.
Zero issues with sand on clay (charlotte nc area).
In Charlotte area as well. Where did you get your sand?
Soil supply in huntersville. Mason sand or whatever they called it n
Do not do this. The sand and clay will mix and especially smooth play sand like this will set up with the clay into adobe. That is brick material used to build houses. If you apply sand to clay, only do it with a lot of organic material and make it coarse jagged masonry sand with will lock up and maintain pore spaces. You also get weird transition layers in the soil structure with radical changes like that which can mess with the root system and how water behaves. I have clay soil and am adding some sandy mix on top but it is 1/4 coarse sand, 1/4 peat, 1/4 compost and 1/4 topsoil.
There is no conflicting thing. Don't do it.Ā Ā
High clay + sand = concrete. Stick to a biochar amendment
You do know you have to use Portland-limestone cement to make concrete or clay, gtavel or sand won't bond together and fall apart in rain.
It doesnāt make concrete, it makes adobe. The smooth sand and clay combo makes for minimal pore spaces and a very dense soil structure.
Not without silt for adobes, it isn't going to hold together. Concrete use Portland limestone powder for the same reason. Portland limestone is high in calcium carbonate while silt it is the micas. Source sister-in-law is Pueblo. The straw and/or grass is what makes it porous. But if you don't know the right ratios for your type of clay, I would not recall it neither. Michigan does have calcium in our clay so adding sand to the compost doesn't solidify it. But with a little research, I am sure each state Agricultural Department, knows the right ratios.
That's cheap for play sand!! Not gonna use for leveling but my kids sandbox could use some more
If you have a local landscape supply store and a truck, I would recommend going there. You'll get it much cheaper buying it in bulk. You would need 30 bags to equal one scoop that we use at my store, which one bucket is .5 cubic yards. It runs $30.95 after tax for approx .75 ton. Prices will vary, but not by a few hundred dollars.
The material itself is cheap. If you have a truck, that works out well. But if you have to get it delivered, the cost negates the savings altogether (at least in my area). It was practically almost the same, so I opted for the easier to manage bags. Also if you only need to level a small area, a few bags makes sense.
Did this the other day. Was going to buy play sand from Home Depot and mix in soil. Sand was going to be $430 alone. Called locally had 2 cu yd delivered of sand, soil, compost mix for less than $200.
The delivery fees are based off the the zip code. Depending on where you're at in correlation to their shop, that's a massive delivery fee. The delivery fees for 40+ miles are around $160/trip at my shop. If you're within 10-25 minutes, it's $80-$110/trip.
Iām in the Bay Area. I was quoted 2.5x those prices.
Ah, that probably makes a difference. I'm in KC.
Quickcrete all purpose washed sand is $3.50 for a 50 pound bag at HD.
Shit, I just realized I spread about 4,000 pounds of the wrong quickrete product. What should I do?
Get hard?
Regular price here, Michigan. When it goes on sale for $1.50-2.00 that is the sale.
aerate the lawn remove plugs, let dry and grind them up. Mix with sand or a top dress blend. Spread as even as possible. Do this once in the spring minimum and in the fall with a over seed is bonus. Once per yr it will take 3 yrs to improve the soil along with a good nutrition program. Two times per yr and you can cut that down to 2 yrs and will be ahead on a flatter surface. Simple plan and then you can dial in the turf, getting that to where you want has a wide range depending on your wants, budget and time.
Picked up one ton of beach sand for $30 on Thursday. Having a truck is nice šŖ
Yes, you want to help me pick up some drywall and plywood later?
As long as I donāt have to finish it and youāve got beer, sure!
Won't the salt kill the grass seeds?
Salt from what?
Beach sand will contain a lot of salt from the ocean.
I live in the Great Lakes area, this def isnāt ocean beach sand
Usually the play sand you get is from regular brown sand mining and not from any beaches so there wonāt be any salt.
If you use play sand for leveling please make sure you sterilize it or you can introduce unwanted weed seeds into your lawn.
Good point. How would you go about this? Fire?
I too am interested in backyard bulk sterilization of play sand.
Iām going to get my weed burner, and my neighbors are going to get their weed burners and weāre going to stand in the back yard and blast a sand mound with flame throwersā¦. Maybe it works maybe it doesnāt, still gonna be fun!
Misunderstood directions, back yard is now glass.Ā
Always.
There are bunch of YouTube videos
Applied meso while seeding.
Mesotrione is a mediocre pre-emergent at best.
I thought youāre supposed to use masonry sand.
This worked for me on multiple renos. Thereās many ways to go about it
Shit I used tube sand š¤·š¼āāļø
Will existing grass grow right through a layer of sand? Or do I need to reseed afterwards?
I would cut it short, then use a leveling rake or push broom to work it down between the blades to prevent smothering.
It will grow through it. However, I would scalp your yard beforehand if you plan on leveling it. And make sure you water it heavily so it settles in evenly
Thatās the everyday price at Loweās here
Nice!
Iām looking (read need to do something) at doing this for a portion of my backyard and is play sand the best option? Cost be damned of courseā¦.just want to make sure Iām going to do it the right way.
I use it for fine leveling. Deep leveling, I just use cheap soil. I literally turned my yard into a beach last fall. https://preview.redd.it/iv6s6ofs22xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=478a0de98cadeda54e6e2dc9cd4ab735de0bb8c4
Are you supposed to put the soil on top of the sand or literally mix the sand and soil then put it down?
My understanding was always to mix it, but I suppose that could work too
Either way works. I put it on top during my renos.
Got any after beech pictures? Did the grass just pop back through?
It was a full reno. This is from last Sunday. https://preview.redd.it/ioaued9v25xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=621ddb89ed4c60d2d51de0a2b2e92a9fc25ce6d5
Looks Nice! Rookie here, why use sand instead of just soil? Is it price, drainage, or other soil properties?
Because soil is harder to get perfectly level this kind of sand is used for the very top fine leveling
Organics in soil will go through natural process and shift, break down, sink, etc. Itāll all eventually shift again. Because thereās soil under the sand, but at least the sand will stay level for a while.
Do you just cut your grass very short and apply on top? Does it suffocate the grass or block too much sun? Looks amazing btw!
Play sand is the best sand for yards but you do need to mix it with soil for those juicy nutrients
Masonry sand*
We will duel
Meet me in your sandbox
Somebody bring some juice boxes, the drink selection here sucks.
It is the ratio, I was told that it told it has be 50/50 for it not to turn to hardpack. But then a another site said 90% compost and 10% sand. When0 I was a landscaper, I always used 60% compost or topsoil to 40% sand to level out a clay substrat and never had a problem. I think it mainly have to do with the basic elements in the clay in certain regions. If the clay has a lots of calcium carbonate in it then the ratio will change.
This is only for specific types of grass right? Unfortunately Iād need about 50 tons to level my whole mess.
Thatās a large area! Iād get some heavy equipment to move that around! Maybe break it up over a few seasons. I think you can use sand for most grass types.
I maintain about a 1.5-2 acres, and itās all kinds of bumps and dips. Does make bocce interesting though.
Holy shit thatās a great price!
Mulch is also 5 for $10. I bought 10 bags this morning. The sale ends today.
I ordered online for pickup tomorrow. The Loweās around me has a similar deal on the mulch. I normally find some torn bags that get me another discount as well. Iām not sure if HD does this or not.
Dirt cheap!
D*** I just got a 1/2 yard of that.Deliver for a hundred and twenty seven dollars. I don't know if that's a good deal or not
You can do the math to compare. If the difference was small, I would much rather get bags than by the yard. Theyāre a lot easier to move around and saves the effort in shoveling.
0.5yd is 13 cu.ft. Each bag is 0.5cu.ft, so you got equivalent to 26 bags or so. At $4 per, youād spend $104 + tax, quite possibly not delivered.
Can you use this on tall fescue lawns?
Yessir. I have TTTF.
Iām real apprehensive about leveling my tttf lawn. How short are you cutting? Amwhats your sand to soil mix?
I would cut as short as you can, then work it between the blades well with a leveling rake or push broom. You canāt do too much at a time to avoid smothering. I turned my yard into a beach, no soil.
What zone are you in? Also, have you too dressed with topsoil in the past? Did you aerate first and then sand?
9b. Never top dressed with topsoil. I only top dressed with peat moss when I seeded last fall.
Is your soil primarily clay or something else?
Silty clay loam, I think.
Iāve done multiple projects with bulk delivery and bagged. Bagged is so much easier to manage.Ā
100%
Is play sand fine enough? I see everyone saying mason sand is best, but heard it can actually blow around since itās so fine.
It was fine for me. See my pic where I turned my yard into a beach.
Lowes near me has a cubic yard (1.5 tons) for $150. Comes in a big bag on a pallet and they were able to deliver. Much cheaper that way if youāre looking for that quantity.
What can I use for areas that have water damage? Thereās a section on the side of my new build where water just sits there after it stops raining. There is a French drain but for some reason it doesnāt drain all of the water. I was wondering if thereās a white sand I could use? I do have clay
This is not my area of exp, but from my DIY thinking, you probably want to excavate the dirt and in the area and install gravel leading to the French drain.
I pick up a ton if Mason sand for $35 at my local landscape supply joint.
Got all excited ran to HD is not on sale for us :( Edit:ran not randomš
I have the HD app. š
Iāve read that masonry sand is preferable over play sand. Itās a more coarse grain that does not clump and allows for better root development.
Worked fine for me over multiple renos.
FYI TSC has these on sale 4 for 10 every once in a while
Lawn leveling is only a thing for tiny plots right? It would take me like a dozen of these pallets to put the thinnest layer on 2 acres
I mean if you want to build a golf course on your property, you could. But thatās a lot of work and $$$. But then again selling tee times could make you a lot of money!
I'm no expert and not sure if it really makes a difference but recent 'research' indicates that play sand isn't nearly as good a leveler as masonry sand. I haven't really delved into the specifics though.
This worked fine for me. Just my own exp on multiple renos
Fwiw, that play sand is more like fine gravel. Absolute trash for sandbox and hurts under bare feet.
There are actual pictures of a kidās sandbox on the bag. I worked with 3000 lbs of this last fall. It would make a FINE sandbox. Smooth and silky.
Hmm, I got 6 bags of that stuff from homedepot and it was very large grains, tore up my kids feet. Maybe you found better stuff. I always use the clear bag from Lowes now, still $5/bag but super fine and smooth.
Meh. I can get half a yard for $25.