How to Pick The Right Landscaping Rock For Your Home

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    When it comes to any landscaping project, choosing the right rock is one of the most important factors. You want the rock to work functionally and aesthetically, whether it’s for your driveway, walkway, garden, etc. With so many types of landscaping rock options out there, you want to get it right the first time. 

    How to choose the right landscaping rock

    The type of landscaping stone you choose can take any regular backyard, and add a brand new theme to it. Rock beds are easier to maintain than any other landscaping factor, so the hardest decision is deciding what material you want it to be made up of. Landscaping rock can add a whole new appeal to whatever project you are taking on. They often cost anywhere between $20-100, depending on what kind of rock you want to get.

    Typically, the more aesthetically pleasing the rock and the larger the rock is, the more it will cost. Landscaping stone usually ranges from 0.25”-4”. Because the larger rock covers more space, and you will need less of it, it costs more. The availability of the rock you choose will also affect the cost, as the harder the rock is to produce, the more it will cost. Gravel tends to be the most regularly available rock, and therefore the cheapest. 

    If you are planning on using your landscaping rock for a driveway or walkway, you will want to look closely at the durability of the rock, since people will constantly be walking or driving over it. Landscaping rocks are also great because they won’t decompose, like mulch or wood chips. 

    Which landscaping rock option is right for you?

    Pea Gravel

    pea gravel being used in landscaping

    Pea gravel about the size of a pea, and can be any shade from white to brown. This is probably the most versatile form of gravel, and it is most commonly used for driveways and to fill spaces between stone pavers. 

    Beach Pebbles

    Beach pebbles as a landscaping rock

    This landscaping rock is a medium-sized, flatter,  polished stone. It works aesthetically in almost any landscape and looks very natural. 

    River Rock

    River rocks are larger than pea gravel, with a smoother texture. They tend to vary in color, giving them a nice overall appearance wherever you put them. They also work well for direct drainage through the property. 

    Decomposed Granite

    decomposed gravel in landscape

    This landscaping rock is a sand color and will give whatever area you are landscaping a rustic look. It is a great option to put around trees and gardens. 

    Crushed Granite Gravel

    This kind of gravel is larger than decomposed granite and works well with any yard. It is a great landscape rock option for transitioning. 

    Lava Rock

    lava rock as landscaping feature

    This landscape stone is made from actual lava, so it has a great color to it. It can give any landscape design an accent. This rock is lightweight, so it is easy to use when making your project. 

    Flagstone

    Flagstone is the largest landscaping rock, and it is often used for walkways. It makes a great stepping stone, as it lays flat against the surface and is easy to walk on. 

    Conclusion

    When planning landscape renovation, choosing the right rock is one of the most important factors.
    If you are planning on using your landscaping rock for a driveway or walkway, reach out to the professionals, and they will help you to make the right choice.

    Contact us at Earth Development and we will free you from the worries about landscaping rock options. For more than 20 years we have been providing landscaping and lawn maintenance services and are always ready to help you.