For those of you that have leveled in the past. I'm leveling this week and was planning on doing a 70/30 masonry sand to compost ratio. However, I've seen people saying 80/20 is better and even more people saying to just do straight sand. I don't have the greatest soil profile but it's not awful. Is there any benefit to adding a little topsoil/compost to the sand. I'm having 22 yards delivered Thursday...what would you do??
Philly_Gunner
@DeliveryMan , usually not but there is a fantastic thread on this forum where a member who works for a sand company talks about how to get the right sand for leveling. I'll go grab the link: https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18599
@Philly_Gunner , sand prices are regional dependent but it looks like you got a retail price (ie: you're buying from a landscaping company, construction company, or some other reseller). Generally if you can find an actual sand mine or transportation company they'll sell for almost half the price.
I don't know DFW sand prices but I know the first 5 places I called all quoted me 50-60 a yard, delivered. I finally found a trucking company that would do the same sand for 30 dollars a yard, delivered.
I don't know DFW sand prices but I know the first 5 places I called all quoted me 50-60 a yard, delivered. I finally found a trucking company that would do the same sand for 30 dollars a yard, delivered.
In my opinion, and worth every penny you are paying, is pure sand for leveling as any amount of compost will decompose causing the mix to settle, which defeats the purpose of leveling. After the lawn is flat, only then do I switch to top dressing as an annual touch up with a mix.
The benefit of adding compost is it can help raise the PH level and give the turf a good jump start from the nutrients it provides. For leveling a yard, it actually is a negative as it will settle as it decomposes.
I try and get the turf growing as strongly as I can right before leveling. Doing this negates any need for compost or fertilizer in the leveling stage, and the turf can push up through the sand quickly.
In summary, pure sand for leveling, a mix for top dressing, both have their place.
Edit: Keep in mind Bermuda makes plenty of compost on its own. That pure sand will become rich in nutrients in short order.
The benefit of adding compost is it can help raise the PH level and give the turf a good jump start from the nutrients it provides. For leveling a yard, it actually is a negative as it will settle as it decomposes.
I try and get the turf growing as strongly as I can right before leveling. Doing this negates any need for compost or fertilizer in the leveling stage, and the turf can push up through the sand quickly.
In summary, pure sand for leveling, a mix for top dressing, both have their place.
Edit: Keep in mind Bermuda makes plenty of compost on its own. That pure sand will become rich in nutrients in short order.
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