If you want to build a legal Bocce ball playing field, you’ll need to find some Crushed Oyster Shells to put on the surface. You’ll need quite a bit of crushed oyster shell, sometimes called oyster shell flour, but how much will depend on how evenly and how thick you spread the mixture.
There are several places you can buy the mix:
- eBay has a few sellers of crushed oyster shells, but they are mostly for fishtanks and come in 10-20 lb. bags.
- Home Depot/Lowes, or your local home improvement shop, should carry crushed oyster shells in 50 lb. bags if you ask around. I recommend this method because shipping a 50 lb. bag can get very expensive.
Personally, I think using sand is sufficient but if you want the true Bocce Ball experience, you’ll want to get crushed oyster shells… especially if you’ve put in all the time and effort it takes to build your own field!
Hi Jim,
What should the percentages be for the bocce ball mix. i.e. what % oyster shells. What are the other components of the mix and their percentages? I received a quote for “bocce ball mix” but want to be sure I am getting the “real deal”
Thanks, Mike
I believe that for it to be a proper bocce ball field, you should put down a layer of sand and then cover the surface with shells. It will mix on its own and there’s no real percentage.
I laid 2″ of decomposed granite on the bottom, then 1/3 bag of oyster powder to one bag of oyster shell. The mixture seems to be a little loose…is it common to have a loose mixture on the court, like sand, even after compaction? I know there’s a guy designated to sweep the court after every player…..?
You can use soil stabilizer mixed with fines for a good solid surface to play ……..