Putting rocks around your house can provide both aesthetic and practical benefits. Rocks can help improve curb appeal, define landscaped spaces, and serve functional purposes like drainage and erosion control. However, rocks also require maintenance and proper installation to work effectively. Here are some key considerations when deciding whether to add rocks around your home:
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Curb Appeal
Rocks can greatly enhance the look of your home’s exterior. They come in a wide variety of colors, textures and sizes to match your home’s style. For example, neutral colored pebbles can provide an understated, natural look while bold, large boulders make a dramatic statement. Arrange rocks in beds alongside plants, use them as edging material along driveways and walkways, or place them aesthetically around trees and yard features. This can draw the eye to beautiful areas of your landscape.
Define Spaces
Placing rocks around specific areas helps define separate spaces in your yard. For instance, line a gravel walkway from the driveway to the front door to create a welcoming entrance. Use rocks to edge a planting bed that separates the yard from a porch or patio area. Rocks are also popular for filling in spaces between pavers and stepping stones to create a unified look. This makes the hardscaping appear intentional.
Drainage
Loose rocks allow rainwater and excess moisture to filter through the ground underneath rather than pooling in muddy puddles. Gravel, pebbles and crushed rocks work well around areas that tend to collect a lot of water. Place them along the foundation of your home, near downspouts and in areas with heavy clay soil that does not drain well. The rocks collect and distribute runoff while still allowing air and sunlight to reach plants.
Erosion Control
Rocks help prevent soil erosion, especially on slopes and hills. They stabilize the soil and provide a protective ground cover that does not wash away easily. Use larger rocks, sometimes called riprap, on inclines and berms to reduce runoff speed and hold the landscape in place. Pebbles and crushed rock also control erosion in high traffic areas like pathways and patios by preventing dirt from being kicked up and washed away.
Types of Rocks
There are many types of rocks to choose from, ranging greatly in size, color and texture. Consider the look you want to achieve along with the functional purpose when selecting rocks. A few popular landscaping rock types include:
River Rock
| Texture | Smooth |
| Shape | Rounded |
| Colors | Multi-colored, tan, grey, brown |
| Sizes | 1-6 inches |
River rocks have a naturally smooth, rounded shape from being tumbled in flowing water. They come in a variety of earthy colors and are a popular choice for drainage and decor. River rocks are comfortable for walking on barefoot and make a soft border.
Pea Gravel
| Texture | Smooth |
| Shape | Rounded |
| Colors | Tan, brown, white, grey |
| Sizes | 1/8-1/4 inches |
Pea gravel consists of small, smooth rocks that resemble the size of peas. It provides drainage and decor while staying in place well. The tiny rocks also create a distinctive crunching sound when walked on. Use pea gravel for pathways, patios and filling gaps between pavers.
Crushed Granite
| Texture | Rough, grainy |
| Shape | Angular, irregular |
| Colors | Tan, brown, grey, white |
| Sizes | 1/4-1 inch |
Crushed granite contains small pieces of granite aggregates that provide an interesting sparkling effect. The crushed stones create a rough texture and natural color variation. Use crushed granite for pathways, patios, filler in planters and around trees.
Decorative Stones
| Texture | Smooth, rough |
| Shape | Various |
| Colors | Wide variety |
| Sizes | 1-8 inches |
This category includes attractive stones sold specifically for landscaping, like lava rocks, marble chips, tumbled glass and colorful quartz. Decorative stones come in all different textures, shapes and brilliant colors to provide visual interest. They often are used as accents blended with other rocks or alone in flower beds, pots and yard features.
Boulders
| Texture | Smooth, rough |
| Shape | Oval, round, irregular |
| Colors | Grey, brown, red |
| Sizes | 8 inches & up |
Boulders create a natural, rugged look in landscaping. They are available in a range of colors and can be smooth or jagged. Place large boulders in your yard as focal points, to enhance water features, or use smaller ones in groups as borders. Boulders work well on slopes to control erosion.
Design Considerations
Follow these guidelines when planning where to place rocks and choosing which types to use:
Purpose
Consider if you want rocks for decorative purposes or functional reasons first. Decorative stones can enhance the aesthetics of your yard. Functional rocks help with goals like erosion control, edging, drainage and stabilizing paths. Choose appropriate types and placements based on the main goals.
Placement
Observe water runoff patterns in your yard after heavy rain to identify problem drainage areas. Place drainage rocks along the foundation, near gutters and in low areas that collect water. To prevent erosion, put heavier stones on slopes and berms. For decor, place rocks in visible areas near the entrance, in flower beds or surrounding trees.
Best Practices
Choose a variety of rock colors, shapes and textures for visual interest. Repeat some rocks in different areas to unify the design. Use larger rocks as accent pieces balanced with plenty of smaller filler rocks. Place rocks densely so weeds cannot grow through. Avoid sharp, jagged edges for areas used for sitting or walking barefoot.
Maintenance
Expect to replenish mulch and rocks once a year as some will shift down into the soil or get displaced. Keep rocks free of debris with occasional sweeping or raking. Remove grass and weeds that grow between rocks. Prevent erosion on slopes by replacing rocks that get washed downhill.
Drainage
For drainage, use gravel or crushed rocks 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter. Grade the area with a slight slope to facilitate water flow. Dig a trench 6-12 inches deep, fill with rocks and cover with landscape fabric to prevent dirt mixing in. Leave space between large rocks for water to flow through.
Supplier and Cost Considerations
You can purchase bagged landscaping rocks and stones or buy them in bulk delivered to your home. Bulk delivery is cheaper per pound but requires you to estimate how much you need. To find local suppliers:
– Search for “landscape supply” or “gravel delivery.”
– Call stone companies, gravel pits, nurseries and landscaping businesses.
– Check with big hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Bagged Rocks
– Sold by cubic foot or pound bags at hardware stores and nurseries.
– Smaller quantities available.
– Easy to transport and requires no special equipment.
– More variety in decorative stone types and colors.
– Costs around $2-$5 per pound bag.
Bulk Loads
– Sold by the ton or half-ton truckload from landscape supply stores.
– Requires careful measurement for amount needed.
– Have stone delivered and dumped at your property.
– Wider selection of gravel and crushed stone.
– Costs $25-$75 per ton.
Landscaping Stones Cost Chart
| Type | Size | Cost per Ton |
|---|---|---|
| River Rock | 1-6 inches | $50 |
| Pea Gravel | 1/8-1/4 inches | $35 |
| Crushed Granite | 1/4-1 inch | $45 |
| Drainage Gravel | 0.5-2 inches | $25 |
| Landscaping Boulders | 8 inches & up | $100 |
Expect decorative colored stones and bagged rocks to be 2-3 times as much per pound compared to bulk gravel. Reduce costs by using common gravel and native stones in functional areas and adding accents of premium stones sparingly.
Installation
Installing rocks properly will help them stay in place and maintain their aesthetic appeal. Follow these tips:
Outline
Lay out the perimeter of the rock bed with a hose or temporary edging material like spray paint or flour. This allows you to adjust the placement before permanent edging is installed.
Edging
Edging keeps rocks securely contained in the desired space and provides a crisp, defined edge. Use metal, plastic or stone edging materials. Bury edging several inches into the ground around the rock bed’s outline.
Base Preparation
Excavate soil 4-6 inches deep and grade the base. Add a 1-2 inch layer of crushed stone or gravel and pack firmly with a hand tamper. Slope for drainage where needed. Landscape fabric on top helps stabilize rocks and block weeds.
Placing Rocks
Scatter rocks over the prepared base. Use larger rocks as accents and filler rocks in between. Place rocks densely so they remain stable and do not shift. Adjust and top up as needed to achieve your preferred coverage and appearance.
Finishing Touches
Sweep off any dirt or debris that accumulated during installation. Hose down the rocks to settle them in evenly. Add additional edging around the perimeter if needed to hold rocks in place. Finally, stand back and enjoy your freshly placed landscaping rocks!
Maintenance
While rocks last for years outdoors, some periodic maintenance is required:
– Sweep or rake rocks to remove fallen leaves, dirt and other debris.
– Pull any weeds that take root in spaces between rocks. Apply additional weed barrier fabric if needed.
– Watch for grass encroaching from lawn edges and permanently remove it. Grass can quickly spread into rock areas.
– Replenish rocks that have shifted downhill on slopes or washed out of beds during heavy rain.
– Check for settlement and top up gravel or crushed stone as needed to maintain proper coverage.
– Power wash rocks to remove mud or stains as desired to restore their original color.
With proper installation and occasional maintenance, rocks provide long-lasting curb appeal, functional performance and design impact in your yard. Place rocks thoughtfully keeping usage and maintenance needs in mind. With the wide variety of rock sizes, colors and shapes available, you can find the perfect stones to complement your home’s landscape.
Conclusion
Rocks offer versatility for landscaping needs. They provide decoration, define spaces, allow drainage and control erosion based on appropriate placement and type selection. Crushed gravel, river rocks, pea gravel and boulders each serve different purposes. While rocks require occasional maintenance, they offer durability and long-lasting curb appeal. Following best practices for installation like edging, weed barriers and stabilizing bases helps keep rocks neatly in place. With some planning and preparation, rocks can enhance your home’s exterior and create beautiful, functional spaces to enjoy.