When looking to improve your landscape, the first thing you might be inclined to add is plants or mulch. Both of these are excellent choices that we applaud profusely.
But – stay with us now – WHAT IF rock and gravel could add just as, if not more, appeal to your landscaping AND save you money on water and maintenance? Friends, we’re here to reveal some of the best suggestions for landscaping rock and gravel as well as the most frequently asked questions that come along with the installation decision.
Let’s dive into some rock and gravel options for color, texture and functionality.
Top Picks for Landscaping Rock & Gravel
Decomposed granite is usually reddish-tan and sandy and provides landscapes with a soft, rustic look. This affordable option is often used around trees, garden trails and as a xeriscape ground cover.
Pea gravel is – you guessed it – the size of a pea, usually 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch in size. Colors range from white to tan to brown. Pea gravel is very versatile, often used to cover driveways and fill spaces between stone pavers. It also serves as a good weed barrier and won’t decompose like mulch.
This gravel has larger particles than decomposed granite and provides a nice, natural look for your yard. It makes a good transition between garden plants and pathways.
Composed of actual lava from volcanoes, this rock boasts explosively bold colors, providing a pretty accent to any landscape design. It is ideal for drier climates, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it throughout the night. Lava rock is very lightweight that makes it easy to transport and spread.
You don’t have to live by a river for your landscape to rock. River rocks are smoother in texture and larger than pea gravel. Pull together their different hues to create pretty garden borders or dry creek beds. While looking pretty, they can also be used to direct drainage through a property.
We’re bringing out the big guns for this one. Along with smaller pebbles, larger rocks like flagstone are great for stepping stones, garden paths and walkways between different elements of your landscaping.
We’re changing things up and going against the grain. This next one isn’t technically a rock, but it’s still a popular choice for hardscapes. Brick chips are made from crushed fragments of bricks (shocking, we know) and come in reddish and brown hues. These chunks are great for driveways and landscaping paths.
Tell countertops to step aside…marble isn’t just for the kitchen anymore! Marble chips are sleek and classy options to cover soil around container gardens and landscaping design elements. Helpful hint – avoid using them around plants that need high levels of acid since marble changes the pH level of soil.
How much landscaping rock do I need?
The exact amount will depend on two things:
The size of the area
The depth of coverage
First, you’ll need to determine the exact square footage of the area. For square or rectangular shapes, this is fairly simple: multiply the length and the width of the area.
Length X Width = area in square footage
Next, you’ll want to determine the depth you’d like your rocks to lay. This will differ depending on the size of your materials. For rocks that are 3 inches or bigger, you may only need one heaping layer to achieve a 3 – 3.5 inch depth, whereas smaller rocks or gravel may require a couple more layers to achieve the same.
This rock coverage calculator is a great tool to get you started, however, it can be difficult to calculate to predict the precise amount of rocks or gravel needed. We recommend partnering with a team of professional landscapers to do the work (and the install) for you.
Does rock landscaping attract bugs?
We know what you’re thinking – any time you’ve lifted a rock, there have been critters underneath. Sure, bugs may hang out in the rocks and gravel, but because there is no food source, they won’t stick around.
Landscaping rock and gravel don’t attract insects, unlike mulch which decomposes over time and attracts all kinds of pests.
Which is better for landscaping –
rocks or mulch
?
Landscaping isn’t one-size-fits-all, so the decision between rocks and mulch will depend on where you live and your landscaping needs.
For garden areas, mulch may be a better fit. It doesn’t retain as much heat as stones and gravel and because of that, it doesn’t dry the soil/plants out as much. However, mulch will decompose and need to be replaced annually. Not to mention, the decomposition may attract unwanted pests and insects – including termites. If you’re not interested in replacing your mulch on a regular basis, rock and gravel may be a better fit.
While they are the more expensive option, landscaping rocks and gravel will last much longer in the end.
Still not sure? Our team would be happy to advise your decision and bring it to life!
Can I install the rocks on my own?
If you have the tools, materials, and experience, you can certainly try!
This task may take you longer – especially if you are purchasing the materials and laying them yourself. However, we do not recommend DIY installations. Wheelbarrows of rock are extremely heavy and the process can be labor-intensive and tedious.
To keep your yard (and your back) in great condition, call the professionals next time you’re wanting a landscaping rock and gravel transformation.
How long should my landscaping rocks and gravel last?
Typically, your landscaping rock and gravel should last you 8-10 years, so once it’s installed, the maintenance is really low touch.
From charming rustic pathways to artistic courtyards, rock and gravel will contribute to a versatile landscape. Let us help you choose the best rock for your design and lifestyle. Chat with us today to get started!
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The best landscaping rocks for your yard project will vary depending on your outdoor space needs, curb appeal goals, and your landscaping ideas. But why are millions of homeowners choosing to use rocks in their landscaping?
Not all beauty is found in greenery. Landscaping rocks are formed and polished, and using them for your yard project could cut down on maintenance and conserve water. The question is, what are the best rocks for your landscaping project?
Let’s break up the rocks into which ones are best for your landscape:
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There are many types of landscaping rocks for your yard project that can increase the value, functionality, and uniqueness of your property. Think of a brick sidewalk to your front door or shiny pebbles for your Zen garden. Landscaping rocks can also be functional, such as flagstone stairs leading to your hot tub or garden.
Bricks, river rocks, and flagstone are excellent for accenting flower beds. They’ll also work to create a path to a gazebo or serve as a wall around your garden. All these materials are only a stone’s-throw away.
Pea gravel refers to small, rounded stones about the size of the green vegetable they’re named after, and they’re already polished, thanks to Mother Nature.
Best Ways to Use: If you’re looking to incorporate rocks into your backyard landscaping, consider pea gravel. It adds a textural design component and can be used in patios, playgrounds, and firepits. It’s also ideal for framing and filling in spaces between larger landscaping stones: Flagstone stepping stones surrounded by pea gravel give you a functional yet textural design.
For yards with xeriscaping, pea gravel is a perfect rock for flower beds, helping to control weeds and cover the soil around your cacti and succulents. Not only can you skip the mulch, but you’ll also save on your water bill.
Pros:
Cons:
Cost: Pea gravel costs $46 a cubic yard on average. If you want colored pea gravel, prepare to budget for an extra $20-50 per cubic yard.
Lava rock is a popular choice among homeowners. The rough, misshapen, red rocks are a bit more expensive than pea gravel but an excellent long-term investment.
Best Ways to Use: Lava rock can be used to replace mulch in flower beds or to add color to the border of a walkway. It could be a top contender in the best rocks for landscaping category due to its durability, long lifespan, and different colors like black, red, and gray.
Pros:
Cons:
Cost: Lava rocks cost around $20 for a 10-lb bag.
Polished, rounded, and smoothed by running water, river rocks can be found near freshwater sources. Typically they are 1 to 2 inches in diameter, but can be as large as 6 inches in diameter and come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Best Ways to Use: Like pea gravel, river rocks are versatile and popular rocks for garden bed edging, in xeriscaping beds, and atop potted succulents. River rocks are also used for low-activity patios, accents, and flowerbeds.
Pros:
Cons:
Cost: River rocks can be a bit pricey, costing around $15 per 5 pounds. But they’re a versatile landscaping rock for your yard projects.
Flagstone is broken-up sedimentary rock. This natural stone has several types, including sandstone, quartzite, bluestone, and limestone. They come in two shapes: cut and irregular.
Best Ways to Use: Flagstone is a popular option for hardscaping patios, walkways, and stepping stones while also being a beautiful choice for dry-laid garden walls.
Pros:
Cons:
Cost: Flagstone has several subtypes, so the price may vary depending on whether you’re getting slate, limestone, or sandstone. Visit a local stone yard to find the most affordable options in your area.
Cobblestones are essentially large river rocks. They can be found in river beds and have been smoothed down by moving water. They come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They’ve been used as paving and landscaping material since the 3rd century.
Best Ways to Use: Cobblestone is used for patios, garden borders, and water features. Homeowners can also spruce up their front yard by using it to accent their driveways — to edge the driveway and make a rumble strip at the driveway entrance.
Pros:
Cons:
Cost: Cobblestone is quite pricey, ranging from $690 to $915 per 100 square feet.
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Traditionally fired clay, contemporary brick now comes in all sorts of materials.
Best Ways to Use: Brick can add a touch of sophistication to your property if you prefer a more traditional, historic touch. It can be used for walkways, patios, driveway pavers, and garden walls.
Opting for a linear brick design can be a more economical choice when compared to a circular design, as it requires less cutting on-site.
Pros:
Cons
Cost: The price of brick varies with the materials but ranges from $6 to $10.50 per square foot.
Red tipple is a beautiful natural stone with a reddish hue that is available in several sizes, most commonly 3/8 inch and 3/4 inch. The two sizes can be used in different applications, and they are both usually sold by the ton. If you require a smaller amount, you can also purchase it in bags.
Best Ways to Use: The smaller 3/8 inch works better for gravel driveways or natural walkways. This size could also be used as a replacement for mulch. It’s recommended to use a weed block fabric beneath it for a gravel driveway.
The larger 3/4 inch red stone can be used as a replacement for mulch. For best results, use weed block fabric underneath it.
Pros:
Cons
Cost: The price of red tipple stone can vary depending on the size. The 3/4 inch stone is available at around $64 per ton. The 3/8 inch is available for $98 per ton. The price will also vary if you want it delivered and installed.
Decomposed granite, also called DG, is a type of granite rock that has undergone weathering to the extent that the original material easily breaks down into smaller and weaker rock pieces. It’s available in various sizes and colors and is a cost-effective option.
Best Ways to Use:
Decomposed granite is a versatile material that can be used in various landscape projects. It’s a popular choice for patios, garden pathways, parks, driveways, and other areas that experience high foot traffic. If mixed with a soil stabilizer, it can last for years and provide a sturdy surface.
Pros:
Cons
Cost: The 3/8 inch decomposed granite is available in red, blue, or gray and runs about $60 per ton (or 0.74 cubic yards). However, if you opt for the stabilized version of decomposed granite, it will cost you $185 per ton (or 0.74 cubic yards) due to its increased durability and long-lasting nature.
Note: Since decomposed granite has no stabilizers (no binders or additives), it’s more susceptible to erosion from wind and storm run-off or mechanical damage (such as snow plows in the winter).
Even though DG costs 50% less than stabilized DG, you’ll be spending more money in the long run to replace the eroded sections of your landscape.
Crushed stone and decomposed granite (DG) are both types of aggregates used in landscaping. However, crushed stone is not as finely crushed as DG.
Best Ways to Use: Crushed stone can be used as a replacement for mulch for your garden beds. It can also be used as a stone driveway for a more natural look.
Pros:
Cons
Cost: Crushed stone prices are as follows: $10 to $50 per ton, $15 to $75 per yard, and $1 to $3 per square foot. Prices will vary depending on if you want the crushed stone delivered and/or installed.
Boulders are a striking and versatile choice for landscaping projects, offering a natural aesthetic that can complement a variety of yard styles. These large rocks can serve as focal points in a garden, create natural-looking boundaries, or even function as seating elements.
Best Ways to Use: Boulders have many design applications. They can be used singly or in groups. They are used in groups for natural, sturdy retaining walls. You can also edge your garden beds with them to keep the soil in place. Some homeowners like to use them as steps.
Boulders can serve as an accent feature in a garden bed or as focal points in a water feature when used alone. Homeowners often prefer to use large boulders and position them at the end of their driveway, displaying their house number on them.
Pros:
Cons
Cost: The cost of boulders can vary based on their size and type, with an average price range of $100 to $600 per ton. Many stone yards sell directly to homeowners, and the prices usually depend on the quantity and quality of the stones.
Note: If you want the boulder delivered and installed, you might need to call upon the pros. Boulders can weigh hundreds of pounds or more. The price can vary based on the boulder size, the type of stone, where you live, and where you want it placed. They might need to bring in a backhoe or other equipment.
A rock garden can save you a brickload of money on landscaping. Why? It’s a bed of rocks, often featuring shrubs or cactus. There’s no lawn to mow, fertilize, or water, and the porous rock allows rain to soak into the ground.
Landscaping rocks also can help prevent erosion and run-off.
Several varieties will work for a rock garden, but these rocks work best for ground cover:
For additional ideas on using rocks as ground cover, explore these xeriscaping ideas to help bring your low-water, low-maintenance vision to fruition.
If you’re using landscaping rocks for your paving project, you may want a smoother texture. Depending on the aesthetic you’re going for, you may want to use larger rocks for your driveway, walkway, or patio:
Thinking about raised garden beds or a retaining wall? Landscaping rocks can help. The rocks can give your yard a lift and create layers of beauty around the property.
You can use just about any sort of landscaping rock to build retaining walls or raised beds, but keep these two things in mind:
Note: A word about pests — If you’re worried about pests, such as moles, infiltrating the base of your raised garden beds, you can lay down hardware cloth before filling them with soil. This method can help keep the pests at bay while still allowing water to drain out.
When it comes to landscape design with rocks, you can let your imagination run wild. Build natural ponds or streams through the yard, create a retaining wall with plants, or accent a koi pond.
Whether building a waterfall, decorating a pond, or constructing a themed garden, it’s best to mix up rock types. Include some boulders, use flagstone to create the base and limestone for a porous effect, and create an interesting water flow. Look for examples at home and garden shows (and, of course, here on LawnStarter’s landscaping pages).
Yes, you’d want to do it primarily for stabilization. Areas that would benefit from materials under landscaping rocks are walkways, patios, and areas where you don’t want the stones to sink down.
Pro Tip: The pros typically use permeable landscape fabric, crushed stone, decomposed granite, and/or sand as a stabilizing base.
Although you have a few options, the most common and versatile is landscaping fabric. Landscaping fabric greatly reduces weed growth and plants poking in between rocks. It also prevents rocks from sinking into the soil — a common occurrence, especially with smaller rocks like pea gravel and lava rocks.
There are several types of landscaping fabric to choose from:
• Woven
• Non-woven
• Spun
• Perforated
The type you choose will depend on the type of rock you choose and your landscaping goals.
Yes. Landscaping with rocks can get expensive, so if you’re not picky or you’re super creative, you can get free rocks from a few places.
The landscaping and hardscaping options are nearly limitless. Here are a few that were left off the list and why.
If you find yourself short on time or lack the skills to bring your DIY landscaping vision to life, a professional landscaper near you can show you how to turn your vision into a reality. They can assist you with landscaping projects ranging from a basic stone pathway to a large rock wall complete with a waterfall cascading into a bog garden.
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Main image credit: yanikap / Canva Pro / License
Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, three children, dog, and cat.