Every homeowner dreams of having a beautiful backyard where they can relax and enjoy the outdoors. Outdoor spaces can be used as sitting areas to enjoy books or hold tea parties. However, it’s important to remember that creating a beautiful look requires time and money. This article explores the various materials one might need from a landscape supply store in Fort Collins to transform their dream into a reality. Keep reading to find out more.

Mulch

Mulch is the most common and essential landscaping material that every hard-core landscaper should know about. In simpler terms, mulch is anything used to cover the soil. It can be organic or inorganic. Mulch serves to:

• Suppress weeds
• Enrich the soil
• Help retain moisture
• Improve aesthetics

The different forms of mulch, such as clippings, straw, and wood mulch, are used to achieve various purposes. Each has its upside and downside. Adding mulch to flowerbeds helps spruce up the landscape.

Garden Soil

Because soil is the foundation of the whole garden, one needs to put in some effort. After all, plants won't thrive in bad soil. Garden soil is a blend tailored to optimize raised beds or gardens for plant growth. It combines several elements to create a rich soil that enables plants to grow and thrive.

Garden soil contains the following elements:

• Screened topsoil for a solid base
• Bark and mushroom compost for organic matter and nutrients
• Sand for improved drainage
• Fine bark mulch for soil looseness

This soil is ideal for flowerbeds, raised beds, and gardens.

Topsoil

While garden soil is a rich mix of several elements, topsoil is just the top inches of dirt found on the ground. It may be harvested during construction projects and used for landscaping. Topsoil is ideal for filling large voids or forming a garden base but doesn't compare to compost or garden soil.

Topsoil is used for:

• Planting grass
• Creating the base of a garden
• Adding a soil layer to eroded areas, new lawns, or previously paved areas
• Leveling low areas

Composts

Using compost is a good place to start for a person that wants to carry out landscaping in Loveland. Adding compost makes soils richer. Compost is decomposed nutrient-rich organic matter that’s good for plants. Adding it to any soil type adds nutrients and improves the soil structure. It also improves the soil’s moisture retention abilities and adds microorganisms to it. Types of compost include homemade compost, farm manure, and mushroom compost. Whether one wants to improve their yard, flower bed, or garden, compost is an important companion. Besides, it is versatile in its uses. For instance, it can work as mulch on the flowerbed and can also be mixed with the soil in the garden.

Decorative Stone

Today, decorative stones aren't limited to hot climates that frustrate grass growth. A fantastic choice for low-water gardens, this landscaping material is low-maintenance. It only needs to be replaced after harsh weather. However, this doesn't mean one shouldn't churn the stones once in a while and wash them. Doing so eliminates any dirt and dust that may have accumulated. What's more? Decorative stones also choke weeds, so the worries of chopping them down often are eliminated.

Decorative Gravel

One can find several types of gravel suited for different aesthetics and functionalities. For example, lava rock is colorful and porous. It can work as mulch for flowerbeds to help retain soil moisture and regulate temperatures. River rock, on the other hand, is medium-sized and very smooth. It looks great on a driveway.

Marble chips, pea gravel, and jersey shore gravel are the other types of gravel. Gravel can be used to decorate the ground or for more practical purposes such as drainage solutions, walkways, and driveways.

Crushed Stone

This material is similar to gravel in every way, except that it is suited for different functions. Whereas gravel is a naturally occurring material, crushed stone is tiny pieces of larger manually crushed stones. This implies that crushed stone has sharper edges and could be uncomfortable to walk on. Also, it offers lesser aesthetics than gravel. For this reason, it isn't suitable for use as mulch or decorative rock. However, it can serve as a fill and for landscaping driveways. It also works for drainage projects and a base for gravel and can be easily found in a landscape supply store in Loveland.

Landscaping Sand

The uses of sand in landscaping are limitless. For starters, it can be used as a construction material in driveway and walkway projects. It makes for an incredible base layer and leveler, which is why it is ideal for filling the seams between pavers. It keeps the pavers from moving, thus maintaining stability.

In addition, it offers a soft playing surface. Therefore, if a person wants a play area incorporated into their landscaping, they might want to consider using sand.

Trees and Plants

Nothing brings life to the garden more than living trees and plants. Trees and plants help curb erosion, offer privacy, and provide shade. They also increase the home value. When selecting landscaping flora, here are some aspects to keep in mind:

• Initial costs
• Maintenance costs
• Compatibility with the existing soil type
• Appearance
• Size

Pavers

Another material to order from a landscaping company in Loveland is pavers. These are paving stones that can serve different purposes. They can be used for patios, pool decks, and walkways. Pavers are available in different materials, colors, and styles, making them even more versatile in use. One can pair them with gravel, sand, or mulch. Alternatively, they can be arranged in a pattern and flowers planted between them.

Retaining Wall Edges and Blocks

Consider raised gardens or retaining walls to give the yard some verticality. Retaining walls are excellent for creating new landmarks and mastering irregular landscapes. Edges, on the other hand, are perfect for aligning paths and outlining gardens. Both are available in all sizes and shapes and can be used alongside each other.

Conclusion

A vibrant and healthy backyard requires a good foundation. That is why selecting the right landscaping materials for walkways, driveways, and a garden is vital. Soil is the constant in most landscaping projects. It can be enriched by adding mulch and compost. Regarding weeds, go for mulch or decorative stones to discourage their growth. For the driveways, go for gravel. Fortunately, each of these materials has different variations. So no matter one’s landscaping needs, there is always a suitable material. Looking forward to the next landscaping project? Contact a reliable landscaping store in Loveland, CO, today and request a quote.