Frequently Asked Questions
Our Team is here to answer any questions that you may have.
FAQs
New Sod Care
I just installed my new sod. What should I do?
Water! First step is to get water on your grass as soon as possible. Second, take a picture. You want to remember this day 🙂 Now read the next three points.
How much water should I put on my new grass?
The higher the temperature the more water your new sod will require. It's not always about how much water you put on the new sod as much as it is about how frequently you put water on the sod. Make sure the soil on the sod and beneath the sod stays moist. As a rule of thumb we recommend watering in the morning and early afternoon (summer) for one week followed by daily watering for the next ten days. At this point the sod should be rooted and you can begin to scale back watering.
When should I fertilize my new grass?
Your new grass comes with only a little soil and will need some feeding to help it establish. Once you begin to scale back watering around the third week it is a good idea to feed your grass with a balanced fertilizer like a 15-5-10 or 19-4-10.
When should I mow my new grass?
Your new grass will begin putting on new leaf as it begins to root in its new location. Begin mowing your new grass after you have scaled back watering and the soil is firm. Be careful not to scalp your new sod and remove no more than ⅓ of the leaf tissue.
What stone should I use to accent the edges of my flower beds?
You have a couple of choices. Most bed edging is a flat moss rock stacker. These stones are relatively flat with at least one flat face for the visible edge of your bed. They are a random shape and size on their other dimensions which gives them a unique look. Chop stone comes in a dimension such as 4”x4” or 4”x6” with random lengths. These are a more formal look and can be stacked easily. There are also a couple of manufactured wall options such as the Belgard Weston Stone or Melville Wall.
What unique stones are available?
We have several unique boulders ranging from our featured 10,500 pound Onyx feature piece down to mossy Texas boulders that are unique for their mossy growth. We also have unique blue/grey “deep ocean” boulders.
I’d like to accent my landscape with boulders. What size stones do I need?
Size your landscape boulders based on the features around them. If you are using them to add interest to a wall or bed they should not be more than a few inches above the wall. If the boulder is the feature you can consider looking at large feature stones. Keep in mind that stone gets heavy pretty quick. Make sure you have some friends to help you move the stone. If you pick a feature size boulder we can place it when we deliver for a small fee.
I’m building an outdoor kitchen. What stone should I look at?
In the manufactured line you have the Weston Wall Modular stone which is incredibly simple to do. If you want something more intricate you would want to look at building your structure out of CMU block and facing it with either a thin veneer stone or a patio size stone.
Can I return unused stone?
We only return unopened pallets of stone. There is a 25% restock fee for returned stone. Choose wisely!
Grass
What is the best grass for the shade?
As a general rule St. Augustine grass is a good shade tolerant grass. If you are having issues with St. Augustine you may consider the Palmetto variety which has proven to be a little better in shade. If you want the best chance at turf surviving in the shade then you may try Emerald Zoysia. Remember that grass in heavily shaded areas will survive but not thrive.
What kind of grass requires the least amount of water?
All grass will require supplemental water in the summer to stay green. If you want a grass that can go completely dormant in the summer and turn green again when it rains then you should consider any of the bermudagrasses or the fine bladed Zoysia grasses such as Emerald Zoysia.
When should I fertilize my grass and how much should I put out?
Click link to view lawn care fertilization schedule.
What are the advantages of Zoysia grass?
Zoysia grass has several advantages to both Bermuda and St. Augustine. The biggest positive in the Houston area is that they are resistant to sod webworms and fall armyworms. They may get some damage but not enough to need treatment. Beyond this major advantage Zoysia tends to grow more densely and at a slower rate than other grasses. (Empire will grow rapidly in the mid to late summer but has a moderate growth habit in the spring, early summer, and fall). Zoysia is also very drought tolerant. This means that if there is damage sustained due to the lack of water it will rapidly and completely recover.
My grass has weeds. What should I do?
The most important part of weed control is proper weed identification. Check here for help identifying weeds. Use the proper product at the proper rate to eliminate weeds. Consider using a pre emergent herbicide to keep weeds from growing rather than treating them after they are mature.
My grass has brown patch. What should I do?
Brown patch is a common disease in the fall and early spring when the soil temperatures begin to fall. It presents with brown patches often with a halo of an orange/yellow tint. Brown patch is unsightly but will not completely kill the grass. If you would like to treat the disease then find the appropriate product and follow the label instructions.
My grass has sod webworms/armyworms. What should I do?
Sod webworms and fall armyworms can devastate a lawn. They hatch from groups of eggs and eat their way through your lawn slowly at first and then rapidly as they grow. Worm damage shows as a slight browning in irregular patches and resembles drought damage. Look at the leaf edges and if there are uneven margins and the leaf edge is no longer smooth then you have worms. You may also see the worms themselves or small green balls in bunches near the soil. Treat with a contact insecticide at least twice seven days apart to keep the worms at bay. The presence of white moths will let you know that the worms have matured and you will most likely see more worms in 3-4 weeks as new eggs hatch. Do your best to get ahead of their life cycle and it will make them significantly easier to control.
Should I use an organic fertilizer on my grass?
Sure! Organic fertilizers feed the soil with a complex and complete form of fertilizer. While many synthetic fertilizers will keep your grass looking good the organic lines of fertilizers benefit the soil and have longer lasting effects.
What’s the deal with compost topdressing?
Compost is full of nutrients, rich in microbial activity, and great for amending soil structure. Compost is all natural and organic way to amend the soil in your yard. Compost has many positive impacts such as moisture management, nutrient retention, nutrient capture, and disease resistance. All around, you can’t go wrong with compost topdressing.
Why do some pallets not look as big as other pallets?
Pallets of grass are stacked at the farm by an automatic harvester and all come with the same number of pieces. Pallets may be shorter or taller based on the grass type, length of the leaf blade (when it was mowed last), and how much dirt is on the bottom of the individual blocks of sod.
Where does your grass come from?
Our grass is harvested locally from our family farm in Crosby, TX. Members of our family have been farming grass there since the late 1970’s.
Is there a guarantee on the grass I buy?
We guarantee that your grass will be delivered healthy. We can not guarantee the grass beyond that point because we are not involved in the install and immediate care of the sod. Most, if not all, issues with sod have to do with water after the install.
How much grass comes on a pallet?
A pallet of grass covers 450 square feet.
Do you sell grass by the piece? How big is one piece of grass?
We sell St Augustine grass by the piece but not any of the specialty grasses. Single pieces of grass are all the same size at 16”x24”.
Soil
I have low spots in my yard. What soil should I use to level them out?
You can level low spots in your yard with masonry sand, topsoil, or bank sand. Mason sand has no nutritional value but filters through grass and disappears quickly. Topsoil has a microbial and nutritional value but also contains weed seeds. Bank sand is an option but it has some clay in it and may not disappear quickly. You can nearly cover actively growing grass when leveling and it will not kill the grass. Always leave a couple inches of leaf blade showing and never completely cover the grass when leveling low spots unless you intend to sod the area.
I’m about to plant new grass. Do I need to add soil and if so what kind?
You typically do not need to add soil to install sod unless it will help grade the area for drainage purposes. If you want to amend the soil where you are installing the grass then we would recommend using compost and mixing it into the existing soil. The other option is to use a good garden soil. Some garden soils have wood waste in them and can lead to other issues later down the line. Topsoil is always an option but there is no guarantee that there will not be weed seeds within.
What types of sand do you carry?
We carry three types of sand. Torpedo or sharp sand is used as the grading layer for pavers and is coarse and angular. Masonry sand is a white sand that is clean, fine, and excellent for mixing in mortars or concrete. Bank Sand is a yellow color and is technically 40% clay naturally blended through the sand.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of topsoil?
Topsoil typically has a great consistency with soil and organic matter. It brings a good microbial complex with it which holds and converts nutrients well. Topsoils also tend to drain well. The downside is that they contain weed seeds. Topsoil by its nature is a surface soil and the only way to completely eliminate weed seeds is solarization which strips the microbial value from the soil. While topsoil is a great choice it does carry this one drawback.
I need a planting mix for my garden/flower beds. What should I use?
We carry Heirloom Soils Garden Mix made specifically for gardens and beds. This nutrient rich soil resists compaction and manages moisture in the root zone of your plants. It has a high microbial content from the Leaf Compost which makes it ideal for nutrient retention and conversion.
I’m planting trees/shrubs. Should I amend the soil?
Yes! Planting trees and shrubs is all about soil preparation. You can buy a perfectly healthy plant and put it in a terrible hole and it may survive but it will never thrive. Plan on amending the soil in your planting hole with a garden mix, leaf compost, cotton burr compost, or at least a liquid plant food such as Micro Life Super Seaweed.
Aggregate
What is the most common gravel used for surface drainage?
Bull Rock is the most common aggregate used in surface drainage. The larger size of Bull Rock (3-5”) keeps it stable in the drainage area and keeps it from washing away. Before installing a Bull Rock drain, always grade the area and use a filter cloth to keep the stones from sinking into the soil below over time.
What is the difference in Bull Rock and River Rock?
Bull Rock and River Rock are the same aggregates with only one difference. River Rock is smaller and screens between 2-3” while Bull Rock is the large portion and screens between 3-5”.
Is gravel the right product for a driveway or walkway?
Gravels without round edges makes a poor pathway because it never can lock down and compact. Gravels with edges and fine materials can compact and make a stable pathway. We would recommend Decomposed Granite for a good stable pathway or base. For larger projects you may consider a base material such as Crushed Concrete which can be overlaid with a decorative gravel to eliminate dusting and provide a uniform appearance.
Mexican Beach Pebbles look beautiful. Why are they so expensive?
Mexican Beach Pebbles are uniform and smoothed from the water from the rivers. Many of the Pebbles make it all the way to the bays and beaches where they are collected, sorted and packaged in Mexico. The amount of labor and freight involved in getting Beach Pebbles to us pushes their price up quickly.
What are the different types of grey/black gravel?
There are two main types of dark gravel. The most common is Black Star Gravel which is freighted in by truck or rail from far West Texas. The pit has a limited supply and only allows a specific number of loads out each day. We are allocated two loads per week at a maximum. This pushes the price up and makes availability an issue. The other gravel is named “Jones Mill” and is similar but has a lighter grey color. It does not retain it’s black color when dry. It is often sold as Black Star because it tends to be more available. We only stock Black Star Gravel and will never mix in or order “Jones Mill” to make sure our product is consistent and the highest quality.
What is granite gravel/decomposed granite used for?
Granite Gravel, also called Decomposed Granite, is a tan/brown color and compacts to make a great clean base material. Granite Gravel is often used under flagstone patios, as compacted pathways, as a base under large stepping stone.
What is crushed concrete used for?
Crushed concrete is just that, crushed concrete. It has both fine and coarse materials that can lock together to make a solid base material used for drive ways, subgrades for patios, pavers or walls, or for compacting under and around culverts. When compacting crushed concrete it is important to wet it first before compaction. After compacting moist crushed concrete it will dry to a solid state similar to concrete.
Is limestone gravel really limestone?
Yes. Limestone gravel is made from crushed and screened limestone material and graded out to different sizes. We do not stock Limestone gravel consistently but we can always get it. Minimum orders will apply for this product.
Pavers & Walls
What types of pavers do you sell?
We only sell Belgard pavers and walls. There are three other brands of pavers and walls available in this area. We chose to carry Belgard based on its availability, quality, consistency and color blending technique. We stock several varieties on site and we take delivery of special orders every Thursday. Belgard blends colors through each paver and over the entire batch at one time. Color blends are not different pavers each of a different color but colors blended across and through pavers to give a dynamic and perfectly blended look to the finished product.
Where can I see examples of these products?
We constructed a 4000 square foot display area at our new yard. We have many different styles and color blends displayed on both pavers and walls. We can show you around and provide catalogues to show all of the styles of color blends available here.
Can I install pavers or manufactured wall myself?
The shorts answer is yes. Paver and Segmented Retaining Wall installation instructions and videos are available here. Properly installing pavers and walls will require perseverance, time and attention to detail. As with most projects the preparation is the most important thing. Getting the base compacted properly, level and on grade is essential for a smooth installation. If you get started on the project and find that it’s not what you thought it would be we can recommend an installer to help you finish the job.
How do I care for my Belgard products after they are installed?
Concrete pavers require little maintenance. Keeping them clean will prevent most issues. If you choose to seal your pavers then plan on continuing to seal them every 2-3 years to keep them in good condition. Keep an eye on the polymeric sand in the joints as it can occasionally wear out in areas of high traffic and water flow.
Delivery
What are the minimums for delivery?
We have a minimum of 3 yards for bulk materials, two pallets for grass, and one pallet for stone. We can put bulk material in large one yard bags and deliver them off of a flatbed truck with a forklift. These bags are more costly but allow us to deliver bulk materials in smaller quantities.
Why are there delivery minimums?
Delivery minimums are a necessary evil. We typically break even on the delivery fee and only make a profit on the material. There is typically not enough profit margin in a single yard of material to make it worth delivering.
How much lead time do I need to make sure I get a delivery on the day I want?
On most days we can delivery within 24 hours. In busier months we will schedule two and sometimes three days out. Weekends in the spring book up quickly and are typically full by Thursday afternoon. We try to deliver all of our product but occasionally we will bring in outside help to fulfil orders in the busiest of times.
Will material on pallets be delivered with a forklift?
Yes. All palletized material is delivered on a flatbed truck that carries a forklift.
How heavy is the forklift that delivers palletized products?
We use Princeton D45 forklifts exclusively. They weigh 5,325 pounds before they lift a load. The weight is distributed over two oversized tires and a set of dolly wheels in the rear. These machines are made to work on many different surfaces but may leave impressions on soft or wet soils.
Will the dump truck crack my driveway?
Dump trucks are heavy but rarely do they damage concrete. Distributing the weight over the ten wheels on the dump truck help to keep it from putting too much stress in any one area. While it is extremely rare to damage concrete it can still happen. If you would like us to deliver in the road to make sure to preserve the driveway then we are happy to do that. We are not responsible for any damage to concrete, soil, or grass inside the curb line.
Will the dump truck leave ruts in my yard?
Maybe. If your yard is dry and firm then it is likely that we will not make ruts while backing straight in. If you have soft soil, irrigate regularly, or the soil is moist then the rear wheels will most likely leave an impression. If you would like us to deliver on the road to make sure to preserve your property then we are happy to do that. We are not responsible for any damage to concrete, soil, or grass inside the curb line.
What determines delivery cost?
Delivery cost is based on the time it takes to deliver to your location from our main office. We do not use a simple mile system because it takes a lot longer to drive 5 miles in the traffic and stop lights of the Woodlands than it does to travel the same distance down a road like FM 1488 or FM 2978. We can provide delivery quotes either through the Contact Us feature of the website or simply by calling us at the office.
What determines when I will get my delivery?
We always give a delivery window when we confirm an order. We are always trying to keep our deliveries on schedule. Occasionally unforeseen circumstances will keep us from making our delivery time. We will always call to update you if there is a shift in the delivery schedule.
Is it appropriate to tip the driver?
If you feel that a delivery driver has done an exceptional job or gone above and beyond and you feel it appropriate to tip then feel free to tip the driver. While tips are appreciated they are not required or expected.