Wondering how much material you need for a job?

• Material 1″ thick will cover 338 Square Feet (SF)
• Material 2″ thick will cover 169 SF
• Material 3″ thick will cover 108 SF
• Material 4″ thick will cover 82 SF
• Material 5″ thick will cover 64 SF
• Material 6″ thick will cover 54 SF

Every wonder what quarry product might be right for your job around the house. Here are a few tips to consider:

• 5/8″ Minus  gravel. This material is very common for top dressing of driveways. It compacts well and looks nice. This material is also used as base material for paving and installation of  concrete pavers.
• 2″/4″ Quarry rock.This material is great for stabilizing areas that become muddy as a result of water and vehicles traffic over an area. It locks up well and creates a mat effect. In some cases I have seen it flex but still support a vehicle. 2″/4″ re-processed concrete is a good option as well.
• 1 1/2″ Washed drain rock. This material is used for drainage purposes around foundations and French drains. Water can flow through it.  It also can be used to create a boarded around a yard as a dry bed effect.

Utility sand. Sand is normally used to bed underground utilities such as waterlines to assure that the utility is not in contact with sharp objects. Cats and kids love it as well!

Topsoil. Topsoil consists of  native soils, sand, sawdust and compost material. It varies by vendor and I have my preferences. When installing topsoil it important to loosen the soil up you are adding to. Make sure it is well amended. Be liberal with the topsoil for the best result. Scrapping the subsurface with a rake and shovel and adding a few inches of topsoil doesn’t cut it!

Landscape rocks. Ever wonder how they rate landscape rocks? Check out the weights and sizes below. When they refer to Men they must have been Cavemen as these are heavy!

• Half Man  weighs 25-50 lbs and is about 6″ to 12″ in diameter.
• One Man weighs 50-200 lbs and is about 12″ to 18″ in diameter.
• Two Man weighs 200-700 lbs and is about 18″ to 28″ in diameter.
• Three Man weighs 700- 2,000 lbs and is about 28″ to 36″ in diameter.
• Four Man weighs 2,000-4,000 lbs and is about 36″ to 48″ in diameter
• Five Man weighs 4,000-6,000lbs  and is about 48″ to 54″ in diameter
• Six Man weighs 6,000-8,000 lbs and is about 54″ to 60″ in diameter

Beauty Bark. I am not an advocate of beauty bark as it adds to the acidity of the soil, something we need less of here in the Northwest. Also when I work with it by hand I aways seem to get splinters! I like compost, it looks good and seals up well.