Rock Landscaping Ideas 

Rocks are a very attractive addition to any landscape. They make the landscape appear more natural. Here are some ideas for rock placement.

You can use small stones for mulch. This is one of the choices for in-organic mulch, meaning, it doesn't break down like wood chips or leaves. Sizes are from 1/4 to 4 inches average size in bulk. Landscape rock is available in many colors and textures. Besides accentuating colors, landscape rock have several benefits. A fully covered area in the landscape will have more stable temperatures because the sun heats the rocks during the day. Then at night, rock stones slowly release the heat into the ground. Landscape rocks also stabilize ground surface moisture level, by slowing evaporation, thereby reducing your need to water. Use landscape rocks or gravel to replace lawn areas where ever possible.

Medium sized rock, say six to ten inches wide can be placed close together, but not clustered so that they are touching. Leave some space in between the stones.

Landscaping with Rocks

To a landscape designer, stones are like paint to an artist. They add colors and textures to the landscape. Whether they be in a formal setting or more natural layout, landscape rocks are very versatile. Landscape rocks are available in many sizes, shapes, and materials. Many landscape supply centers even offer simulated landscape rocks made from fiberglass. Rock forms include natural stone, gravel in many different sizes and colors, landscape blocks, paver stone, as well as creative natural looking planter pots.

Aside from the visual appeal, rocks in the landscape have other advantages. For desert and arid climates, landscape gravel can be spread out to replace large areas of water consumptive grass. They also help moderate temperatures in the summer and winter. In the summer, they keep the ground cooler in the mornings, reducing ground evaporation. In the winter, the stones heat up in the day and keep the ground warmer through the night. The larger the rocks or the thicker the gravel, the more thermal mass protection you get.

Another advantage of landscape stones is that they reduce maintenance in the yard. Weed seed, that blows in from vacant lots, has difficulty germinating through a thick layer of gravel mulch; thus reducing wear and tear on your back as well as reducing the need for herbicides (weed killers)