3 Oct

How to choose the right sports sand for your playing surface

If you’ve ever tried to hit a golf ball out of a bunker or hopped, skipped, and jumped into a long-jump pit, you might have noticed the sand under your feet feels different from regular sand. That’s because it is - it’s sand that’s been specifically designed for use in sports and athletics.

While it may make the inside of your trainers a bit gritty, sports sand serves two important purposes: it improves player performance, and it keeps surfaces in good playing condition.

The specialists at M B Wilkes are experts in all types of sand, soil, and gravel. Let us walk you through everything there is to know about sports sand, so you can rest easy knowing that your club’s playing surface is in tip-top shape.

 

What makes sports sand different?

Because it needs to provide an even, safe surface for sports to be played on, sports sand has key differences from the sand you find on the beach or on a construction site.

Most sports sand goes through a special ‘cleaning’ process that removes clay, silt, dust, and other impurities. This creates a fine, smooth finish that’s perfect for recreational use.

To provide you with a safe surface on which to play your sport, sports sand usually has:

  • Smaller, finer grains for a softer surface
  • Impurities removed by washing
  • Air-filled porosity to provide excellent aeration and drainage
  • Consistent grading

These qualities make the sand super soft to walk on and quick to dry. It also won’t get stuck on your legs or feet as you run over it.

 

What makes high-quality sports sand?

Not all sand is the same. Different types of sand have different sized grains, mixes, and consistencies, which make certain sands more suited for certain uses than others.

Selecting the correct grade of sand for your playing surface is vitally important. The ‘grade’ of a sand refers to the size of each individual particle, ranging from the smallest and ‘finest’ to largest and ‘sharpest’. Each type has distinctly different qualities that are useful in different applications. You’ll find finer sand has less structure and more malleability, while sharp sand is strong but prone to cracks and lesions.

Sport sand shouldn’t be either too sharp or too fine – you’ll find that a quality, washed sports sand will be between grades 30 and 45, placing it somewhere in the middle.

Sand aids in the process of drainage, with each grade of sand having a different effect on the playing surface. For example, fine sand effectively seals up the playing surface if spread over the top layer, meaning you’ll struggle to get your pitch to drain. Sharp sands will destabilise the surface over time, negatively impacting the general makeup of the soil. This makes it even more important to remember the 30 to 45 grading.

In order to get the best results out of your sand spreading, there are steps you should take to make sure you don’t cause unneeded damage to the grass. Post-match, it is recommended that you divot the pitch with a fork, as this aerates the surface after being compacted by players. It also allows you to spread the sand into the top layer of surface soil.

If you’re looking for high-quality sand to use for sporting and recreation, make sure the sand is:

  • Low maintenance, so it’s easy to lay and look after
  • Naturally sourced, as sand from natural sources has fewer contaminants and is therefore of higher quality
  • Washed clean of any unwanted particles for a smooth finish.
  • Made of durable aggregate, so it can withstand even the toughest of sports.

 

Which sports sand do I need?

The exact type of sand you should choose depends on what you’ll be using it for:

 

Sports sand for recreation

Our imported washed sand is 0-2mm and ideal for surface dressing sports fields, rugby and cricket turfs, golf bunkers, bowling greens, goal mouths, and much more.

 

Specialist sports sand from M B Wilkes

At M B Wilkes, Dorset’s leading supplier of sand and other landscaping supplies, we have a range of top-quality sports sands for you to choose from.

Our naturally-sourced sports sand will create a soft, all-weather playing surface your sports club can rely on. Browse our range of sands to find the right type of you.

Our team has the knowledge and experience to answer any questions you may have. Simply get in touch for help choosing the right sports sand for your playing field.

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20 Aug
A guide to our grab hire and muck away services
Our reliable and affordable grab hire and muck away services make getting rid of your waste in Dorset quick and easy, whether that’s waste from your DIY project or large construction site! How our grab hire & muck away works To get started on disposing of your waste in one of the most efficient ways possible, simply give us a call today on 01258 857465 and tell our friendly team about your project and waste needs. We’ll advise you on which muck away service will be best for your requirements and then arrange a time and date to deliver your bulk bag to suit you. Once it’s full, we’ll come and collect it for you and take it away for recycling and disposal. Easy. Our grab away bulk bags are suitable for soil, hard core, brick rubble, sand, concrete and other mixed aggregates. For larger waste that isn’t easily moved, you’ll need our grab hire vehicles which are available in 4, 6 and 8 wheelers as well as our 10 and 20 tonne tipper lorries. Our grab hire & muck away services Our specialist grab lorries are able to collect large quantities of building, construction and garden waste in Poole, Bournemouth and the surrounding areas. You can use our muck away service for all sorts of waste, including: Sand, concrete and aggregates Building and landscaping materials Please note, we are not able to accept asbestos and other hazardous waste. Better than a skip! Did you know our grab hire service provides a much quicker, simpler and more cost-effective solution for waste disposal than skips? That’s because our trucks can hold much more waste than a skip so you can fill it with even more material while reducing the number of bags or collections needed. When you choose MB Wilkes for your muck away service, you can be sure we’ll arrive on-site at a time to suit you, collect your waste and drive away with minimum disruption and fuss. We can also deliver your order at the same time! To talk to a member of our friendly team about your waste disposal needs, get in touch today by calling 01258 857465 or send us a completed online enquiry form.
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15 Oct
4 brilliant uses for garden sleepers
Are you thinking it’s time to refresh your garden but you’re not sure how to go about it? Garden sleepers are a simple, natural addition to any outside space that add interest, texture and substance. So, whether you have manicured acres or a cosy courtyard, discover four ways you can utilise sleepers to bring your garden to life. Create raised flowerbeds Attractive, durable and natural, hardwood garden sleepers are perfect for creating raised flowerbeds. Depending on how high you want the flower bed, simply stack the sleepers one on top of the other to reach the desired height and secure. For added interest, why not crate flowerbeds of various heights? Line pathways in your garden When you have sent time and effort curating the perfect lawn, the last thing you want is for someone to run all over it! Prevent unruly feet trampling your meticulously maintained grass by defining clear pathways with garden sleepers lining the edges. Not only will the raised sides provide a natural barrier between the path and the lawn but they will look beautiful too. Sleepers make beautiful steps For charming, rustic steps that are quick and easy to install, garden sleepers are a great alternative to concrete or paving. Use the sleepers to edge the step and fill it in with attractive gravel or decorative stones. Steps in your garden, either from decking or on a slope, not only help you navigate around safely, but also helps define the different areas of your garden.  Build your own garden furniture If you’re a dab hand at DIY, why not use garden sleepers to create unique and striking garden furniture? From a simple bench to a full alfresco dining set with table and chairs, the possibilities end only with your imagination. As a natural material, your gorgeous bespoke furniture will blend in seamlessly with your garden and provide a fantastic talking point at your next BBQ. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try building a garden swing!  Are you feeling inspired to add sleepers to your garden? From new pine sleepers to grade A reclaimed sleepers, you’ll find a great selection at MB Wilkes, Dorset’s leading supplier of landscaping materials and products. To learn more, contact us today on 01258 857465.
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30 Sep
Your driveway gravel options
Create a wonderful welcome for you and your guests with our attractive, robust and hard wearing, driveway gravel options. An ideal material for creating a striking natural driveway, gravel can easily withstand the continued car and foot traffic such areas are subject to. At MB Wilkes we stock a wide range of gravel in various stones, shapes and colours, so to help you narrow down your search, we’ve created this quick guide to some of our most popular options. Blue Slate 20mm – this simply stunning driveway gravel is made from blue slate chipping which boasts an ever shifting blue/grey tone. Contrast the neutral colour with bright evergreens for a sophisticated driveway all year round. Shingle – the classic driveway gravel, our shingles come in 2mm, 6mm, 10mm and 20mm varieties. No matter which size you choose, each option boasts a beautiful light golden flint colour, varying from deep black to the lightest gold. Scottish pebbles – for driveway gravel that’s a little different, opt for Scottish pebble in our 8mm – 14mm variety. The smooth stones are mainly a mixture of greys, browns and pinks though you’ll spot other colours poking through. The pebbles look particularly attractive when paired with pots bursting with colourful plants. Red granite – create real impact with red granite gravel. As the name suggests, this gravel is a bright red/terracotta colour that makes a beautiful, striking driveway for any home. Due to its durability, it’s ideal for high traffic areas. Cotswold Chippings – if you’re looking for a more traditional style of driveway gravel, then Cotswold Chippings are the ideal choice for you. Their gentle, creamy gold colour evokes a warm, welcoming atmosphere that complements a country style home perfectly. Basalt gravel – this driveway gravel has seen a rise in popularity over recent years thanks to its modern grey colouring. Resistant to moss and high volumes of traffic, basalt gravel will stay looking pristine for years with little maintenance on your part. A family owned sand and gravel quarry, MB Wilkes are leading suppliers of driveway gravel in Dorset and the surrounding areas. To learn more about our full range of gravel or other landscaping supplies, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team today on 01258 857465.
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