Landscaping Rock How Much Do I Need

How Much Landscaping Rock Do I Need? With this guide, we'll make sure you know all you need to find the right answer for your unique landscape project.

Understanding Types of Rock

Before ordering rock for a landscape project, it's important to recognize the different types of rocks and their various purposes. Rocks can be either man-made or naturally occurring. Man-made rocks are primarily made of concrete or resin and are used as lightweight terrain features with unique ornamental qualities. Natural rocks are offered in a wide array of shapes, sizes, and types such as marble chips, pea gravel, and river rocks, which are all used for different applications. In addition, flagstones are used to create pathways and building features, while cobblestones often create visually interesting features for sets of steps and dividers.

Calculating Coverage

Calculating the right amount of landscaping rock that you need for coverage is an important part of the planning process. As a rule, most landscapers recommend purchasing a 5% excess than the actual job requires. To calculate coverage required, first, you'll need to measure the area (length x width) of the space where the rock will be placed. Once you have that number, use an online calculator or multipliers that are commonly offered by the manufacturer to determine the quantity of rock needed for the project.

Purchasing and Delivery

When it comes to purchasing the right amount of landscaping rock, it's important to consider where you're purchasing it from. If you're purchasing from a landscape company, they will often have their own delivery service. If not, you'll need to decide if you want to purchase the rock from a local supplier and take advantage of their delivery service or purchase the rock in bulk. If you're choosing to purchase in bulk, it's important to consider the distance from the supplier to your project's location, as this will likely affect delivery fees.

Staging and Placement

Before placing the rock, make sure the area is ready for the rock. Some items that need to be addressed include; ensuring the area is free of organic debris, level and properly sloped, and that the drainage is adequate and properly addressed. Once the area has been properly prepped, it's time to start placing the rock! Make sure to space out the rocks evenly, as this will lead to less maintenance down the road. If the area is large, it's helpful to create a diagram of the layout to ensure proper spacing of the rocks throughout the area.

Maintenance & Upkeep

Once you have your landscaping rock in place, maintenance and upkeep is the key to making sure it lasts as long as possible. It's important to regularly inspect your landscaping rock for any weeds or dirt and debris that may have accumulated. If necessary, use a garden sprayer to remove weeds and dirt and make sure the rock is evenly spread along your landscape. Additionally, it's important to regularly replace any rocks that may have been damaged or displaced.

In Summary

Landscaping rock can bring a unique, natural look to your outdoor space. To make sure that your landscape project turns out just right, it's important to understand the different types of rock, calculate the amount needed for coverage, purchase and deliver the rock, stage and place the rock, and maintain and upkeep the rock over time. With this guide, you're sure to find the right answer for your unique landscape project.