Choosing the Right Landscape Material for Your Project

A landscaping project can start with a simple idea: “I want to improve this part of the yard.”

Then the material choices begin.

Rock, gravel, soil, bark, sand, flagstone, pavers and other materials all serve different purposes. Choosing the right one starts with understanding what the project actually needs.

Dixon Landscape Materials has served Dixon and surrounding communities since 2009 and supplies materials for both DIY homeowners and professional contractors. Its product selection includes bark, decorative rock, aggregates, soils, sands, flagstone, pavers, retaining-wall materials, sod and more. 

Start With Function
Ask what the material needs to do.

Is it going to be walked on? Used under pavers? Spread around plants? Used to create a decorative area? Added to a raised bed?

The answer helps narrow the choices.

Appearance Matters, Too
Natural materials vary in color and texture.

Dixon Landscape Materials specifically recommends seeing natural products in person before ordering because appearance can vary. 

That is especially useful when choosing decorative rock or other materials where color is an important part of the design.

Soil Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Different soil products can have different uses.

Dixon's selection includes potting soil, topsoil blends, screened topsoil, compost, fill dirt and garden mixes. 

Understanding the intended use before ordering can help prevent buying a material that is simply not suited to the project.

Plan the Quantity
Landscape materials are often sold by volume or weight, depending on the product.

Before ordering, measure the project area and determine how much material is needed.

A little planning can prevent both running short and ordering far more than necessary.

The right landscape material is the one that fits the project's function, appearance and practical requirements.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Feeling Overwhelmed in the Garden? Start Small

Welcome, gardeners! This time of year, the garden can feel a little overwhelming. There are weeds to pull, flowers to deadhead, plants to fertilize, and always more waiting on the list than I can possibly finish in one day.

Today, Monty and I headed out into the garden to tackle a few of those small but meaningful jobs. I spent time weeding and deadheading, then moved on to fertilizing my corn and sowing some very special flower seeds. Some came home with me from Great Dixter, and others are flowers I will plant this fall in hopes of beautiful blooms early next spring.

The biggest reminder for me today was that I do not have to get it all done at once. A little work, done often, really does add up.

Little and often… that’s how beautiful gardens are built.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

 

DIY Concrete Without the Giant Concrete Truck

Concrete has a reputation.

It's heavy.

It's messy.

And when most people picture a concrete project, they imagine a huge truck arriving at the house while everyone suddenly realizes they have approximately 37 minutes to get everything done.

But smaller concrete projects don't always require the same setup as a major construction job.

Dixon Landscape Materials offers a DIY concrete option using portable, towable mixers that hold one yard of concrete. The mixer continues mixing during transportation, allowing the concrete to remain mixed while being taken to the project site.

For the right small project, that's an interesting alternative to mixing bags of concrete by hand.

The process begins at Dixon Landscape Materials, where the ingredients—including concrete gravel, cement and water—are loaded into the mixer trailer while it is running. The trailer can then be towed to the project location.

Why might that appeal to a DIY homeowner?

Because mixing concrete yourself can turn into a surprisingly physical project.

One bag becomes several bags.

Several bags become many bags.

Then you're lifting, pouring, mixing and repeating.

By the time the project is finished, you may have developed a brand-new appreciation for professional contractors.

A towable mixer can make the process more convenient for certain smaller jobs, while also providing a way to transport the concrete to the site.

Of course, "DIY" doesn't mean "no planning required."

Concrete projects still require preparation. The site needs to be ready, forms need to be properly prepared, and you'll want to understand the timing and labor involved before you begin.

Weather matters, too.

And perhaps the most important DIY rule of all: know the limits of your project.

A small walkway, pad or similar project may be manageable for an experienced homeowner. A major structural project is another matter entirely and may call for professional expertise.

Dixon Landscape Materials serves DIY homeowners as well as professional contractors, so homeowners can stop by and explore options before getting started.

The next time you look at a concrete project and think, "There's got to be an easier way," there just might be.

Just remember to plan first.

Concrete is very good at becoming permanent.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Don't Let a Small Landscaping Project Become a Big Headache

You start with a simple idea.

"Let's make the backyard look a little better."

Then you start measuring.

Suddenly you're calculating square footage, cubic yards, material weights, delivery options, and wondering exactly how much rock, soil or bark you actually need.

Welcome to the surprisingly complicated world of landscaping materials.

The good news is that you don't have to figure everything out alone.

Dixon Landscape Materials has been serving Dixon and surrounding communities since 2009. The family-owned business serves both DIY homeowners and professional contractors and offers a variety of landscaping and hardscape materials, including bark, flagstone, sand and gravel, decorative rock, topsoil and sod. The company also offers delivery using its fleet of medium and large trucks.

One of the smartest things you can do before starting a landscaping project is determine what the project actually requires.

Are you building a patio?

Refreshing garden beds?

Adding a pathway?

Improving drainage?

Replacing an area of lawn?

The answer determines the materials you'll need.

For example, decorative rock may be a great choice for certain landscape areas, while topsoil is more appropriate when you're improving planting areas. Flagstone can create patios, walkways and other hardscape features, but the type and thickness of stone matter depending on the project. Dixon carries a variety of flagstone options, including Arizona Buff, Arizona Rosa, Bluestone and several quartzites.

And then there's the eternal DIY question:

"How much do I need?"

This is where careful measurements become your best friend.

Buying too little means another trip to the material yard. Buying too much can leave you with an expensive pile of leftovers taking up space in the driveway.

Before ordering, measure your project area and ask about coverage. A material supplier can often help you think through the quantities and options before you load up the truck.

Dixon Landscape Materials also encourages customers to stop by for ideas for their next project.

That's worth remembering.

Sometimes the best landscaping project isn't the one you planned on Tuesday night while staring at Pinterest.

It's the one that makes sense for your yard, your budget, and the way you actually use your outdoor space.

Start with a plan.

Measure twice.

Then buy the materials.

Your future self—and your driveway—will thank you.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Longwood Gardens Tour | Explore America's Best Botanical Garden with Me!

Welcome to a tour of Longwood Gardens! This Pennsylvania garden is widely recognized as the best botanical garden in America. Let's do a garden walk n' talk at longwood gardens in Kennett Square, PA and see all the garden rooms and conservatories. 

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

 

Landscaping Materials: Your Landscape Starts With What's Underfoot

When people picture a beautiful landscape, they often think about flowers, trees, shrubs, and green grass.

But look down.

Some of the most important elements of a landscape are the materials beneath and around those plants.

Rock, decorative stone, bark, mulch, and other landscaping materials can add texture, contrast, definition, and visual interest to an outdoor space. They can also help create borders, pathways, garden areas, and other distinct sections of a property.

One of the fun things about landscape materials is how dramatically different materials can change the look of the same space. A warm-toned bark can create a natural, traditional appearance, while decorative rock can give a landscape a cleaner, more contemporary feel.

Material choice also matters because different areas of a property have different needs. A pathway, planting bed, drainage area, and decorative feature may each call for a different type of material.

At Dixon Landscape Materials, we carry a variety of landscaping materials to help you create an outdoor space that fits your property and your vision.

Whether you're refreshing an existing landscape or planning something completely new, our team can help you find the right rock, bark, stone, or other material for your project.

Sometimes, transforming a landscape starts with something as simple as what's under your feet.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Rocks, Bark and Stone: Choosing Landscape Materials That Make a Difference

When people think about landscaping, they often picture plants, trees, and flowers.

But some of the most important elements of a landscape aren't alive at all.

Rock, stone, bark, gravel, and other landscape materials can dramatically influence the appearance and function of an outdoor space. Choosing the right material can help create a finished look that complements the property rather than simply filling an empty area.

Landscape Materials Set the Tone

Different materials create completely different impressions.

Smooth stone can provide a clean, contemporary appearance. Natural rock can create a more organic feel. Bark can add warmth and texture around planting areas.

The right choice depends on the overall look you're trying to create.

Color Matters

Landscape materials come in many colors and shades.

A material that looks great by itself may not be the best choice for a particular property. Consider how its color works with the home's exterior, existing landscaping, fencing, walkways, and other features.

Texture Adds Interest

A landscape can look flat when everything has the same texture.

Combining different textures can add visual interest and create definition between different areas of the property.

Stone, bark, plants, concrete, and other materials can work together to create a much more intentional appearance.

The Right Material Depends on the Application

Not every landscape material is appropriate for every project.

Materials used around planting beds may have different considerations than those used for pathways, decorative areas, drainage applications, or other landscape features.

That is one reason choosing materials shouldn't be based solely on which option looks good in a photograph.

Quality Makes a Difference

Landscape materials are exposed to the elements year after year.

Sun, rain, temperature changes, foot traffic, and normal weathering can all affect outdoor materials.

Choosing quality materials from a knowledgeable supplier can help ensure that the material is appropriate for the intended application.

Don't Overlook the Details

Landscaping is often about the details.

The right rock, bark, or stone can help define an area, complement existing features, and give the property a more finished appearance.

If you're planning a landscape project, having access to a variety of quality materials—and people who understand those materials—can make the selection process much easier.

A beautiful landscape starts with more than choosing plants.

It starts with choosing the right foundation for the space.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website