Question
Marc, We are looking for a landscape cover for our Outer Banks, NC home.  We currently have a bed with 7 palm trees.  We initially used sand as a bed cover, but due to the heavy winds in that area, the sand blows out of the bed and into the grass.  This creates a mess and is very time consuming blowing the sand back into the bed.  We are interested in using either limestone rocks or crushed coral.  In a recent answer found on this website, you indicated that you saw landscaping in Williamsburg, VA that consisted of crushed sea shells.  Do you know where I might obtain crushed sea shells or even crushed coral or limestone rocks in our area of Virginia or North Carolina? The closest location I have found for limestone is Pennsylvania, and Florida for crused coral.  Any information you can send me would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

Answer
A shell blend for bocce ball courts is available (but expensive) from boccemon.com.  I don't know how close they are to you.

In general, oyster shells are going to be expensive.  It is plentiful near the sea shores that harvest them (like Alaska, New England, and your part of the east coast).  I抦 a bit surprised you cannot find a source of crushed shells in your area?br>
North Carolina D.O.T. recently had a PR issue with their use as a mulch.  More for the 搈essage?that they sent (揟oo many people are eating them - Stop!!? & 揥e need them for baby oyster incubators?, rather than the superior qualities of shell mulch.

http://www.nccoast.org/news/mulch-mishap-leaves-dot-shell-shocked
http://www.luminanews.com/article.asp?aid=492&iid=44&sud=30

The North Carolina General Assembly recently (2005) passed legislation making it illegal to dump oyster shells into landfills, and the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has created a program to buy back oyster shells for use in reclamation efforts, so you are trying to out-spend a government agency in acquiring these shells!!

They do affect the pH, by making the soil slightly more alkaline (works like lime).  With lots of sand and wind, I don抰 think that is a big concern for your situation.  

After all that discussion, here are some places that might be able to provide this mulch OR direct you to persons/companies that can help you find this product:

Southern Scapes
7441 Caratoke Highway
Powell's Point, NC  27966
252-491-5707

Living Oaks Landscaping
P.O. Box 1882
Kitty Hawk NC 27949
252-207-3237
252-441-4611

Finally, you can contact the recycling group directly, but I doubt they抣l be of much help.

http://www.ncfisheries.net/shellfish/recycle1.htm  

Complete with recycling locations.  

Remember, it is currently NOT illegal to landscape with this product in North Carolina, just highly discouraged.  They抎 rather dump it into the ocean than see it in your back yard.

As for Coral or crushed limestone, I'd check with the folks I listed above (found in the yellow pages) Or, call a closer landscape contractor/builder who might provide you with a closer source.

Best I can do from 2,400 miles away!!  All the best.  ~Marc