how to build a rock garden

How deep should a rock garden be?

The suggested depth of coverage varies according to the size of the individual stones. If the stone size is 1/2-inch or less, the suggested depth is 2-inches. Stones that are 3/4-inch to 1-inch should have a depth of about 3-inches. Stones that are 1-inch or larger should have a depth of 4-inches.

How do you prepare the ground for rock landscaping?

Tips For Laying Decorative Rock

Removing Weeds and Grass. Before you can lay landscaping rocks on your property, you will need to ensure that all weeds, grass and plants have been removed. ...
Lining/Underlayment. The next step is to place lining over the soil to protect the space from any potential grass or weed growth. ...
Selecting Your Landscaping Rock.

How do you build a small rockery garden?

How to Build a Rockery in 9 Steps

Step One: Plan Your Rockery. ...
Step Two: Mark Out the Area. ...
Step Three: Prepare the Space. ...
Step Four: Place Rubble Over the Area. ...
Step Five: Place Landscaping Fabric Over the Area. ...
Step Six: Start Adding Your Stones. ...
Step Seven: Add Smaller Rocks. ...
Step Eight: Make Compost Mix.

How do you make a rock garden without weeds?

An option is to use the plastic, but leave large holes in it around the bushes. Alternatively you can combine the underlayments, placing landscaping fabric around the bushes and then covering the rest of the rock garden with heavy plastic.

Should I put landscape fabric under rocks?

Landscape fabric is really only good for one application. This is when you want to use stone (such as river stone or decomposed granite) instead of mulch. We've installed a good bit of river rock in some of our landscape jobs and we always use a geo-textile landscape fabric that allows some water penetration.

What is the cheapest rock for landscaping?

What is the cheapest rock for landscaping? Crushed gravel and pea gravel tend to be the cheapest landscape rocks.

What should I put under River Rock?

For water conservation we recommend wood or other organic mulches over rock. In high erosion areas and waterways, we recommend installing a non-woven geotextile filter fabric installed with a layer of large river rock to slow down the water, hold the soil and prevent erosion.

What do you put under garden rocks?

Rock beds are low-maintenance -- though never no-maintenance -- when done right, and doing it right involves placing a barrier between the rocks and your soil. The barrier of choice is usually heavy-duty landscape fabric, but tarps or other types of plastic can sometimes be an acceptable substitute.

How deep should Gravel be to prevent weeds?

A 3- to 5-inch (7.5-12 cm.) layer of gravel can aid in preventing weeds in gravel. Also, make sure that the irrigation from the lawn watering isn't running into the gravel. All that lovely water will facilitate weed growth.

What are the best plants to grow in a rockery?

12 plants for a rock garden

Aubretia.
Trailing bellflower.
Saxifrage.
Gentian.
Gypsophila cerastioides.
Candytuft.
Erodium × variabile.
Lithodora diffusa 'Heavenly Blue'

Do rockery plants need soil?

Alpines like a really well drained soil.

How do you make a rockery look natural?

To create as natural a rock garden as possible; Select large stones to act as 'keystones'. Position the larger of these first and place the remaining ones so that the strata look natural. Use a spade to dig out hollows to set the stone into.

Will river rock kill plants?

No Benefit to Plants: Rocks don't aid plant growth or soil health. Messy pH: Most trees prefer acidic soil, but rocks create alkaline soil, which can hurt trees. Return of the Weeds: Wind will eventually blow soil between rocks, creating a spot for weeds to grow.

How do you kill grass growing in rocks?

Spray the rocks with a postemergent herbicide, following the manufacturer's directions, to kill any existing grass among them, and then pull the grass after it dies a few days later.

Can you use cardboard instead of landscape fabric?

A free, biodegradable alternative to landscape fabric is to use simple old cardboard. ... Cardboard is applied to the area. Then a layer of mulch goes on top of that.

Should I put plastic under River Rock?

The plastic is only recommended for small areas of rock, not for mulched beds, graded slopes or hillsides. If you have Oaks be wary of placing rocks beneath the trees as Oak leaves do not break down quickly and you will have to blow or vacuum the leaves from the rocks to keep them looking neat.

What can I use instead of landscape fabric?

The Top Seven Alternatives for Landscape Fabrics

Mulch. The number one alternative to landscape fabric is mulch. ...
Compost. This is one of the best ideas for your garden because not only is it healthy for the soil, it recycles your kitchen scraps and grass clippings. ...
Straw. ...
Cardboard. ...
Newspaper. ...
Burlap. ...
Gravel or Rocks.

How long will landscape fabric last?

In permanent landscapes, plant roots will grow into and through the landscape fabric. At some point in the future when it is replaced (needs to be replaced every 10 years or so), you will damage the roots.

How much does a truckload of river rock cost?

Landscape Rock Pricing by Type

Rock Type	Price
River	$100 - $800 per ton $0.05 - $0.35 per pound
Lava	$75 per ton $75 - $110 per cubic yard $7 per bag
Decorative	$40 - $500 per ton
Large Boulders	$100 - $600 per ton

Where can I get free rock?

Shop Craigslist and Freecycle

Craigslist and Freecycle can be a good source for free rocks, but you'll have to check both sites regularly and be quick on the draw when an offer comes up.

How much does a dump truck load of gravel cost?

The cost of gravel ranges from $10 to $50 per ton, $15 to $75 per yard, $1 to $3 per square foot, or $1,350 per truck load depending on the rock type, volume, and travel distance. Delivery is included up to 10 miles. Gravel spreading costs $12 per yard or $46 per hour.