Garden & landscape

Homeowners, landscapers and builders use these landscape supplies to build paths, prepare paving bases, fill garden beds and top up pots. It helps to think of the job in layers, starting with base and bedding, then the soil plants grow in and the cover that goes on top.

Screenings and aggregates make up the working layers of a path or paved area, including crushed rock, stone dust, scoria and topping. Sand is chosen by the job: brick sand for brickwork mortar, concrete sand for mixing, packing sand under pavers and washed sands where a cleaner grade is wanted. Soil includes compost, garden blend and sandy loam top soil for new beds, plus potting mix for containers. Rocks and pebbles such as river pebble, Ice White and Tuscan Rock dress garden beds, while mulch ranging from pine bark to terracotta chips covers the surface.

Landscaping rarely stops at the materials. Where surface water from new paving or paths needs somewhere to go, long drains and square drains give it an outlet. For the work itself, hand tools include trowels, floats and scrapers, power tools cut with diamond blades and grinding wheels, and landscape chalk and line marking paint set out the job.