Fat Sand-For concreting-moist, it slumps in a clump- Ideal for cement mix :
Sharp sand[Beach sand]-good for airating soil[like ground 'Gypsum'] [Ricks 'play sand-out of his sand-pit] [Here comes a lecture!!]

The StoneSand the landscaper used on my walkways looked like Turkey Grit.
I expect its closer to your Fat Sand.

Builders sand is generally used for cement. For me, it has too many 'fines' and the 'coarses' that are in there are way too large to suit me. Sand used to as a base and filler for laying down patio brick for patios and walkways has special 'binders' and 'bonding agents' added to it so over time bonds the bricks together, holding them nicely together and making them ant proof at the same time. Even with coarser decorative gravel/sand like what you are referring to, Jo Ann, binders are added to hold them more securely together. Even with decorative gravel driveways and walkways. Contactors sometimes refer to it as 'traffic bond'.

But play sand for safety reasons or whatever, turns out to be a very uniform product grain size wise and one I like for seed planting mix.

Years ago, I would just go down to the beach here and I was always able to find areas of wash with just the right kind of sand I was looking for. And carry it home by the pails full. Nowdays, you can't even pick up a nickel on the beach here. If I were to go down there with a pail now, the cops would be here before I could make it back to the house!!!

The landscaper laid down a base of what looked like course cement with some binder,They laid the stone on top (dry) after the patterns were laid they spread stone Sand and swept it in until it reached a level surface. They hosed this and swept it to reveal the stone.There was no binder in the last sand.The particles are large and settle after awhile and have edges that hold stone in place.
Star Path



I really preferr the second path as stone is closser together and doesnt pitch out of place .Landscaper is coming to make another path in April.He said he would re-sand the first path that has lost some of the" stars" I found the sand washed out in heavy rain on the star walk but the second walk has held as stone has tighter spaces.
Second Path

Your walkways look real nice. I think you can always expect some surface wash during the first couple years and if anything is going to pitch, it would be the larger flat pieces first. I have fairly large, mostly flat creekbed stone I got from Colorado intermixed with old railroad cross ties from Chicago-Northwestern and they all pitched a little--enough to make it darn difficult to snowblow anyway. Rick would know a whole lot more about the procedures and materials used than I ever would, but based on what I've watched being done in my area, I think your landscapers procedures are the same as they use around here and his redressing your existing walkways this year as a followup is a good idea.

Rick, your moss in the cereal bowls looks like you're ready for breakfast. Seriously, my moss looks just like that in your pictures only I grind it a little finer and sometimes it's a little darker or a little lighter--depending on how it's running I guess. I get it from a local nurseryman here--the only one left because the big box stores made it so hard for the little guy to compete. I guess, the reason I've always pasteurize it is because I don't know the history of it. I'm sure the nursery doesn't, but he would, I assume, have so many preventive ways and means to deal with unknowns and pasteurizing on his scale would be impossible. I do it just to be safe--I sure don't want any little creatures come flying out the soil just as the sprouts are bobby pinning.

As far as destorying any of the good qualities, I really don't know. I can say, I've never, ever had a problem with damp off. I don't know if that tells us that it apparently doesn'[t for sure tho.

I see on one of your pictures of NoDampOff, it's from Millston, WI. That's Ocean Spray Cranberry country. I go by there several times a year and never knew NoDampOff was packaged there--guess I'll make a point stopping in there one day and check out their operation. Interesting--wonder what else they do!

Minus eight degrees F this morning. Ground is frozen now!

Forgot to mention that the bowls are only 5 inches across. The bag of milled sphagnum came from Lilian Maroushek (the 90 year old). I am guessing it is at least 15 years old. BTW, the lily books she recently gave me are a set of NALS Yearbooks, dating from 1949 through 1988, Two or three missing in every decade, but what a jackpot!

gwhizz said:[Here comes a lecture!!]

Regarding builder's sand and the variable size grains and pebbles, Lorn spoke of aggregate grains too fine to be of good use. My thoughts exactly. That in builder's sand there is basically fine grains and pebbles with very little mid sized aggregate, makes it a difficult soil amendment for gardeners to use properly. The alpine pants that I grow require far better drainage than any lily. However, while the larger pebbles are not particularly amenable to seed growing, they are integral in providing a more continuous capillary flow downward, and thus contribute to a better draining medium. The mineral based component of amendments in my soils is play sand (for the same reason as Lorn) for lilies, with the addition of various size chic grits for alpines.

So, Jo Ann, builder's sand is not the same as your stone sand. Turkey grit would be the #4 Grit here:



Sand with polymer binders, as far as I know, is not used as a base underlying pavers as a general rule. There are exceptions, and Jo Ann's nicely done walks are good examples. This combination costs four to eight times times that of sand, so is normally used as the filler aggregate between pavers, be they stone or cement. There are different types of sand/polymer mixes. Some harden almost like cement, others merely lock the particles in place, but can be picked at, with a fork, for example.

Rick, when you mentioned 5" bowl size I went back and took a second 'closer' look. Now, I'd say my grind size is just about the same--there's quite a bit of finer cuts down in there--just about like what I end up with.

Those yearbooks were pretty nice to get--you should be elated! I need to get 1949 and down and a few of the newer ones. It's hard to find a good single copy of the older ones to fit in here and there--unless one buys a whole bunch (partial set) just to get the one book your're after. I check Alibris every now and then and sometimes Ebay and even the Goodwills--might get lucky one day.

So , I didn't get a sermon on, Ricks 'play sand pit'

Turky gritt is far courser than I thought.My path sand is more like #2.

Enjoyed jmorth's insect photos--did you see them?

ACK!!! I just found some buds on some of my Rjenveld's Early Sensation daffodils. So early! Of course those buds are no where near ready to bloom yet and now it has gotten so cold.

If you haven't seen them yet--take a look at the last five pictures added to the data base on the right (jmorth's). Everyone here liked the white spider on EMBER. We're trying to figure what insect she has in her grasp. Beautiful photography!

What I have found about consistency with exercise, giving yourself at least one full day off in a week actually gives you more energy for your workouts. Bodies respond well to being rested after being worked hard.

And deprivation is never the answer (and never really works anyway ) So give yourself a small favorite treat here and there. You find you crave that stuff less and enjoy it more.

Roosterlorn said:If you haven't seen them yet--take a look at the last five pictures added to the data base on the right (jmorth's). Everyone here liked the white spider on EMBER. We're trying to figure what insect she has in her grasp. Beautiful photography!

I think Jack had the Praying mantis pose for the photo op.

I intend to eat pizza and pasta again and not cut them out of my diet. I just decided that I would not have them until I lost ten pounds. Made that deal with myself. So although I would like to have had them, I don't feel deprived of them because it is not forever. And it keeps me motivated to get to that first ten pound loss. Not there yet but I am working on it.

As far as sweets like candy and cookies, cake and donuts, so far I am doing well without them. I don't really even crave them most of the time. Even now I am writing about sweet treats and don't feel like rushing out and buying any.

As far as the day off, it seems like a good idea. But I think really depeands on how fit you are. I read on line that one should exercise everyday and not take a day off. Yet I think one should use common sence. Sometimes one is tired and needs that rest.

It is really cold here and it has been on a 6 day run of cold weather. Not much going on outside around here. I shouldn't compain as fall and winter up to this was quite mild. But of course I am compaining ha-ha as I don't like cold weather at all.

Australia Day, today..I will cook a leg of lamb [purchased cheap] on the BBQ-w baked spuds and pumpkin and peas..Have a few beers and remember what Australia 'used to be like'!

I just love lamb. It is just so good!

I forgot to include GRAVY...mmmmmmmmmmm, made from the lamb juices