Is Landscaping Sand Just for Pavers? 5 Surprising Ways to Use Sand in Your Outdoor Space

When we think of landscaping sand, the first use that often comes to mind is for laying pavers. But is that all there is to it? As it turns out, sand can be used for a variety of outdoor landscaping projects. Whether you're a DIYer, contractor, landscaper, or homeowner, you'll find that sand can serve multiple purposes beyond just paver installation. At Kilgore Landscape Center, we’ve seen firsthand how sand can transform an outdoor space in ways that you may not have expected.

Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kilgore Landscape Center has been serving the Wasatch Front for over 40 years, offering a wide range of products including sand, landscaping rock, flag stone, mulch, and more. In this blog, we’ll explore five surprising ways you can use sand in your outdoor projects, making it a worthwhile addition to your landscaping materials list.

5 Ways to Use Sand in Your Outdoor Space

1. Create a Natural Play Area for Kids

If you have children, a natural play area can be a fantastic way to keep them entertained while improving your outdoor space. While sandboxes are an obvious choice, landscaping sand can be used creatively to build larger play areas that are both fun and functional.

For instance, you can combine sand with some decorative landscaping rock to create themed areas like a mini beach or a dig-and-build zone. Whether you choose to mix it with stone or place it in a designated section of your yard, sand allows for endless opportunities. Additionally, sand is soft and safe, making it ideal for kids to play in, especially when combined with a few play accessories like shovels and buckets.

2. Use Sand for Xeriscaping Projects

Xeriscaping, the practice of designing landscapes that require minimal water, is becoming increasingly popular in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas due to its water conservation benefits. Sand is an important material in xeriscaping projects because it improves soil drainage and prevents water runoff.

When you mix landscaping sand with landscaping soils, it helps create a well-drained base for plants that thrive in dry conditions. Many drought-tolerant plants, such as succulents, cacti, and certain grasses, do well in sandy soils. Sand helps to break up compacted soil, allowing for better root growth and moisture retention. This is a great option if you're looking to create an environmentally friendly landscape that reduces water consumption while still looking beautiful.

3. Create Unique Walkways and Paths

While sand is often associated with pavers, it can also be used in other ways to create interesting and functional walkways. For example, instead of traditional gravel or stone paths, you can use sand between pieces of flag stone or landscaping rocks to create a more natural-looking walkway. This gives your garden or backyard a rustic and earthy aesthetic while providing a durable surface to walk on.

You can also use sand to fill the gaps between the stones, which will not only keep the stones in place but also prevent weeds from growing between them. This can save you the trouble of constantly pulling weeds while giving your outdoor paths a more polished look. Sand also helps to absorb rainwater and reduce water puddles on your walkways, making them safer and more comfortable to walk on.

4. Build a Fire Pit Base

A fire pit can be a perfect addition to your outdoor space, creating a cozy and inviting environment for gatherings with family and friends. Sand is a great material to use as the base for a fire pit, especially when combined with other landscaping products like gravel or decorative rocks. Sand helps to evenly distribute the heat from the fire and prevents damage to the surrounding area.

To build a fire pit base, simply layer sand at the bottom of the fire pit before placing decorative landscaping rock or fire bricks. The sand will act as an insulator, preventing the heat from spreading too far and ensuring that your fire pit stays safe to use. Plus, sand is easy to work with, making this an easy to manage project for DIYers.

5. Use Sand for Erosion Control

According to the University of California, “Soil erosion can happen slowly, gradually washing away top soil, or it can happen quickly in heavy rain events. In either scenario, the land is stripped bare of valuable natural resources.” If your property is on a slope or you’re working in an area that experiences a lot of rainfall, sand can be used for erosion control. By mixing sand with other materials such as topsoil or mulch, you can create a barrier that helps to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion. This is especially important if you live in an area where heavy rains or snowmelt could cause soil to wash away, damaging your landscaping efforts.

Sand works as a stabilizer for sloped areas, reducing the risk of erosion by allowing water to flow through the soil without carrying it away. When combined with plants like ground cover or grasses, sand helps to promote a more sustainable landscape by encouraging plant growth while protecting the integrity of the land.

Why Choose Landscaping Sand from Kilgore Landscape Center?

At Kilgore Landscape Center, we understand the importance of using quality materials for all your landscaping needs. Our landscaping sand is available in a variety of grades, from fine to coarse, making sure that you get the perfect sand for your specific project. Whether you’re working on a paver patio, building a fire pit, or creating a kid’s play area, we have the right product to help bring your ideas to life.

Types of Sand Offered at Kilgore’s Salt Lake Landscape Center

Bedding Sand

Price: $36.75 per ton
Minimum Load Charge: $50.00

Bedding Sand is a screened, medium-coarse material that's perfect for compactable base layers. It’s screened to 3/16″ and weighs about 2600 lbs per cubic yard (1.3 tons). Depending on how compacted the material is, you may need 20–30% more volume.

Common Uses:

• Base material for pavers and flagstone

• Pipe bedding

• Leveling layer over gravel or road base
  
  

Installation Tips:

• Requires a minimum 1″ depth

• For patios: lay approximately 1″ over road base or about 2″ over gravel

• Compacts well for a stable surface
  
  

Bedding Sand is sold by the ton for pickup, with a two-ton minimum for delivery. Delivery pricing is additional—call us for details. As always, we recommend stopping by to see the sand in person before placing an order.

Beach Sand / Play Sand

Price: $40.00 per ton
Minimum Load Charge: $50.00

This fine-screened playground sand is perfect for kids' play areas. It’s clean, smooth, and ideal for sandboxes or anywhere a soft, moldable material is needed. Each cubic yard weighs approximately 2600 lbs (1.3 tons).

Common Uses:

• Sandboxes

• Playgrounds and play areas

• Projects that require soft, fine sand
  
  

This sand will hold shape for sandcastles with just a little moisture. Like our bedding sand, it's priced for customer pickup with a two-ton minimum for delivery. Call for delivery pricing and availability.

Want to see the texture and feel for yourself before you buy? We always recommend visiting our West Jordan location to view materials in person.

Kilgore Landscape Center in West Jordan, Utah

Kilgore Landscape Center offers expert advice and recommendations to help you choose the best products for your outdoor space. Our team is always ready to assist DIYers, contractors, landscapers, and homeowners in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. Whether you're working on a large commercial project or a small backyard makeover, we provide the materials and expertise you need to get the job done right.

Our Salt Lake landscape center is your one-stop shop for all your landscaping products, including decorative landscaping rock, flag stone, mulch, and topsoil. We also provide delivery services to make your landscaping projects as convenient as possible. From your first consultation to the completion of your project, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Sand is a highly adaptable material that can be used for much more than just laying pavers. From creating unique walkways and fire pits to aiding in xeriscaping and erosion control, sand can be a go-to material for transforming your outdoor space. At Kilgore Landscape Center, we offer top-quality sand and a wide range of other landscaping products that can help you achieve your desired look and functionality.

If you’re ready to get started on your next outdoor project, visit us at Kilgore Landscape Center in West Jordan, Utah, or call us at (801) 561-4231. Let us help you bring your outdoor vision to life with the right tools and materials, including sand. Call or visit us today to learn more about how landscaping sand can be used for your next landscaping project.