When it comes to the curb appeal and value of your home, landscaping can play an important role. You want to ensure that your home looks great, and there are many ways to do this with landscaping. One element that can be incorporated into your landscape is decorative rocks. These rocks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, allowing you to create a beautiful exterior that showcases your individual personality. If you decide to use decorative rocks in your landscape, what steps do you need to take to prepare the yard for the installation of these rocks?

Remove Weeds and Grass

Before any rocks can be installed on your property, any weeds, grass, and other vegetation will need to be thoroughly removed. If you fail to pull up the weeds, including the roots, then new growth will sprout up between the decorative rocks, creating chaos in the future, particularly if you intend on planting new flowers.

To begin with this removal process, you should dig out the grassy areas so that only dirt is left. You may want to dig the soil out a couple of inches so that the rocks can be level with the surrounding landscape. You may even want to spray a herbicide over the area, which will help prevent weeds and grass from returning.

Place a Lining Over the Soil

Once the soil is prepared, you will need to a place a special lining over the soil so that it is protected from any potential weed or grass growth. This fabric lining will keep weeds from growing up through the landscape rocks while also ensuring that the rocks do not sink into the soil beneath them. It is often recommended to dig out a trench around the perimeter of where you will be installing the rocks and push the lining into this said, as this helps to anchor the lining. Alternatively, you can use rubber edging strip or u-shaped garden staples to ensure the lining remains in place.

Choosing the Decorative Landscaping Rock

As soon as the site is fully prepared, it is time to select the type of decorative rock you would like to use for your project. More than likely, you have an idea of what you want to use. There are a lot of different types, from pea gravel to river rocks. Your project will determine what kind of rocks you end up using.

For instance, if you are creating a patio or pathway with large rocks, you may want to use pea gravel. It is a very versatile and inexpensive type of rock that prevents erosion and improves drainage. If you need decorative large rocks, river rocks can be great. These can help control erosion in walkways, but they also work well in garden and flower beds.  

If you need help figuring out the best type of decorative rock for your upcoming project or what type of materials you need to prep the site, contact a contractor or supplier of landscape materials in your area.

Share