How to Decorate With Decorative Gravel

How to Use Decorative Rock to Spice Up Any Yard

In terms of sheer versatility, decorative rock is one of the better landscaping options. Available in all sizes–ranging from powder-like crushed granite to large heritage stones–it’s a great fit for almost any project. The gaps in the stone also help with drainage issues and are much lower maintenance than grass and plants. When compared to other things, like mulch and shrubs, gravel is much more accessible. But many people don’t know how to use it and how easy it is to DIY a decorative rock accent.

Four Ways to Incorporate Decorative Gravel in Your Landscaping Plans

When used correctly, decorative rock can take your yard from the block’s ugly duckling to a showstopper. Below are just a few ways pebbles and small decorative rocks can help you level up your curb appeal:

• Swap It In For Mulch: When you laid that shredded rubber or bright red mulch, it was eye-catching. As time’s gone on, however, those chips have faded. Rather than trucking in a new load of wood chips, it might be time to switch to gravel. Stone lasts longer than mulch and can provide a hint of class to your trees and shrubs.
• Level Out Elevated Areas: You can use lava rocks and other types of gravel to camouflage the bumps in your landscaping. Adding plants to these little pockets of stone can make the vertical shifts look like intentional design decisions instead of natural land features.
• Use It as a Patio Base: People have been using decorative rock patios for centuries! And, there’s plenty of reasons for you to do the same. These flat areas of stone are low maintenance and pair well with almost any architectural style. The permeability of pebbles also helps siphon away water and takes some of the stress of your gutters, storm pipes, and sewer.
• Transform Your Bird Bath into a Centerpiece: You love how your birdbath draws in Kansas City natives like Eastern Bluebirds and Red-Bellied woodpeckers. But smaller birds, like chickadees and finches, may avoid the dish because of its slippery surface. Adding a thin layer of Mexican beach pebbles or decorative rock to it allows these birds to enjoy the water as well. It also serves as a lure for butterflies. To really class things up, surround the fountain with lava or river rocks.
• Pave a Path: A gravel walkway is a great way to bring some whimsy to your yard. Consider running one from your door to the shed or from your driveway to your patio. This will help water drain easier and give you a weed-free way to get from Point A to Point B. For more help on designing a path or network of paths, reach out to our landscaping design experts.
• Delineate Your Garden: Any garden or landscape needs a defined border. Well, building your own Great Wall with bricks and decorative gravel is a great place to start. This gravel and stone barrier will separate your proper garden from the rest of the lawn and help keep stubborn weeds out.

The 8-Step Process to Laying Bulk Gravel

Now that you know how gravel can be used, it’s time to make your landscaping dreams a reality.

Beautiful gravel work–like art–is the result of careful planning. While we could just drop a pile of Mexican pea gravel or river rocks at your front door, it’s best to know exactly where it’s going. After years of consulting homeowners on landscaping projects in Kansas City, we’ve found the most successful homeowners:

1. Start by determining what kind of end result they want.Use sites like Pinterest to get ideas for your gravel project. If you’re not too tech-savvy, cut images out of a landscaping magazine. This will help you get a better idea of your desired result. Please note that it’s best to look at the actual stone supply time before making a purchase. Flat images can’t communicate the weight or texture of rock anywhere near as well as holding it in your hand. Once you have your decorative gravel picked out, move on to Step 2.
2. Measure Twice, Buy Once. Using your favorite measuring tape, determine how much decorative gravel you’ll need. Before getting a quote, we suggest double-checking your numbers. Too few pebbles can mean bare patches. Too many, especially if you plan to just dump it in your garden, can be a lawn mowing hazard. Once everything is finalized, place a call to your local landscaping supply store–preferably Riverbend Rock and Mulch.
3. Edge Things Out: Now that you know when we’ll be delivering your decorative rocks, you can get started on preparing your yard. First, use an edger or a small shovel to dig out the perimeter of the target area. Then, use a hoe to peel back the top layer of turf and expose the dirt beneath.
4. Dig Things Out: With the grass out of the way, you can make space for your gravel. With a spade shovel, dig down the depth of your desired gravel bed. Be careful not to go too far, however. Your gravel should sit a few inches above the ground when spread to allow for settling.
5. Level Things Out: Using a roller or another heavy object, tamp down the soil you exposed in Step 4. This will prevent dips from forming and stop you from having to order another batch of Mexican beach pebbles or lava rock down the road.
6. Lay Down a Weed Barrier: As they say in Jurassic Park, life will find a way. Though, in the case of gravel landscaping, it’s weeds and not dinosaurs breaking out of bounds. Before you put down the gravel, lay down a layer of plastic, fiber mat, or newspaper to impede weed growth. You may also want to spray a herbicide around your gravel bed to ward off any unwanted vegetation.
7. Pour the Rocks: At this point, you wait for your supplier to drop off the gravel. After it’s unloaded, use your rake to level it out. To ensure a picture-perfect finish, examine your project at multiple angles for any peaks and valleys.
8. Rubber Ducky Time: Use your water hose to remove excess dust and dirt from your decorative gravel. This will let the beautiful colors of your Mexican beach pebbles, river rocks, Colorado rainbow, or crushed granite shine through.
9. Add Finishing Touches: At this point, you can lay down things like pavers, benches, and potted plants. Once those are settled in, just sit back and enjoy your new yard.

Buy Decorative Rock in Bulk From Kansas City’s Favorite Landscaping Supply Yard

Riverbend Rock and Mulch is one of the biggest suppliers of decorative gravel in Independence, Buckner, Odessa, and the surrounding areas. Our products include everything from lava rocks to crushed granite, river rock, Mexican beach pebbles, retaining wall stone, landscaping stone, and sand! By focusing on affordability and customer service, we make sure everyone has a chance at a beautiful yard. To learn more about the types of gravel we stock, check out our product catalog.

If you’re someone who needs to touch before you buy, stop by our landscape supply yard in Independence, MO. One of our bulk mulch and gravel experts will be more than happy to help! For stock levels on particular stones, give us a call at (816) 257-ROCK.