Some jobs using shingle or sand can leave you with a generous pile
of leftovers, so we have some ideas here of what you can do with them.
Obviously one option is to ask around to see if anyone you know could use it
themselves, or if not then there is certainly no need to pack it off to
landfill.
Shingle Pathways and Winter Walkways
Smaller sized shingle is ideal for creating walkways, so see if there is anywhere in your garden that could do with a new path to create better access while looking good.
This can also be a good idea for existing paved pathways that can
get icy and slippy during winter. Sprinkle a layer of shingles instead of the usual salt
or sand as they will prevent slipping and also don’t need to be reapplied after
every icy period or snowfall.
Shingle Garden Edging
Leftover shingle can be used as an attractive garden edging. Use
it to cover soil that isn’t being used to grow and get creative with the design
to make a garden edging that complements your home.
Raise Vegetable Beds with Shingle or Sand
Use leftover shingle or sand to raise your vegetable garden beds. This
is a very good idea if your garden soil beds consist of a lot of clay as it
will help with the drainage. Raising the beds can also make it easier to tend
to the vegetables if you have back problems.
Children’s Sandpit
If you have the kind of leftover sand that is suitable for a
child’s play area, then you can dig out a space and use the leftover sand to
create a fun sandpit for your children. The best kind of sand for this purpose
is Silver Play Sand, as other sands can be
too rough for playing in.
Decorative Planters
Once you have established plants in a planter, you can use
leftover shingle to cover the soil around them. This not only looks attractive
but can also help prevent weeds from sneaking in and stealing some of those
essential nutrients.
Soil Drainage
Mixing in a little shingle or sand to certain soil can help
improve its drainage properties. It will obviously depend on what kind of soil,
but if it has a lot of clay and you notice the drainage is not very efficient,
then use your leftover sand or shingle to create more air and space in the soil
for the water to drain through.
Repairs and Top-Ups
It may also be a good idea to store your leftover shingle or sand
for future repairs and top-ups. Projects using such products by their nature
can require a little top-up or maintenance every now and then, so having some
leftovers stored safely in a shed or garage can save you needing to get more
further down the line.
If you require any shingle or sand products, then contact Springbridge via our website or call
today on 0845 370 1921 for more information.