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Which is better pea gravel or river rock?

River Rock River rocks are smoother in texture and larger than pea gravel. Pull together their different hues to create pretty garden borders or dry creek beds. While looking pretty, they can also be used to direct drainage through a property.

What is better a metal or wood shed?
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How long does uPVC painting last?
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When looking to improve your landscape, the first thing you might be inclined to add is plants or mulch. Both of these are excellent choices that we applaud profusely. But – stay with us now – WHAT IF rock and gravel could add just as, if not more, appeal to your landscaping AND save you money on water and maintenance? Friends, let us reveal some of our best suggestions for rock and gravel that adds color, texture and functionality to your hardscape.

1. Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is usually reddish-tan and sandy and provides landscapes with a soft, rustic look. This affordable option is often used around trees, garden trails and as a xeriscape ground cover.

2. Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is – you guessed it – the size of a pea, usually 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch in size. Colors range from white to tan to brown. Pea gravel is very versatile, often used to cover driveways and fill spaces between stone pavers. It also serves as a good weed barrier and won’t decompose like mulch.

3. Crushed Granite Gravel

This gravel has larger particles than decomposed granite and provides a nice, natural look for your yard. It makes a good transition between garden plants and pathways.

4. Lava Rock

Composed of actual lava from volcanoes, this rock boasts explosively bold colors, providing a pretty accent to any landscape design. It is ideal for drier climates, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it throughout the night. Lava rock is very lightweight that makes it easy to transport and spread.

5. River Rock

You don’t have to live by a river for your landscape to rock. River rocks are smoother in texture and larger than pea gravel. Pull together their different hues to create pretty garden borders or dry creek beds. While looking pretty, they can also be used to direct drainage through a property.

6. Flagstone

We’re bringing out the big guns for this one. Along with smaller pebbles, larger rocks like flagstone are great for stepping stones, garden paths and walkways between different elements of your landscaping.

7. Brick Chips

We’re changing things up and going against the grain. This next one isn’t technically a rock, but it’s still a popular choice for hardscapes. Brick chips are made from crushed fragments of bricks (shocking, we know) and come in reddish and brown hues. These chunks are great for driveways and landscaping paths.

8. Marble Chips

Tell countertops to step aside…marble isn’t just for the kitchen anymore! Marble chips are sleek and classy options to cover soil around container gardens and landscaping design elements. Helpful hint – avoid using them around plants that need high levels of acid since marble changes the pH level of soil. From charming rustic pathways to artistic courtyards, rock and gravel will contribute to a versatile landscape. Let us help you choose the best rock for your design and lifestyle. Chat with us today at 970-304-1183.

Other posts you might like:

6 Benefits of a Unique Hardscape

Why Pavers Are Great for Northern Colorado Landscaping

9 of the Most Popular Colorado Landscape Additions

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How many yards of gravel can a 3 4 ton truck hold?

As a general rule of thumb, small trucks (1/2 ton) can haul a half yard of gravels and soil or a yard of bark. Large pick-up trucks (3/4 and 1 ton) can haul one yard of heavy material or a couple of yards of bark.

If you are not sure how much rock, sand or bark you need to order, please use these cubic yard calculators to help you figure that out. Enter the dimensions of the area you want to cover in feet, and then enter the depth that you would like to cover that area in inches. Then click the calculate button to calculate the number of cubic yards you will need. For bark or mulch, a nice thick depth would be 3 to 4 inches. If you want to cover an area with gravel, 1 to 2 inches should be sufficient depending on the size of the gravel. If you are using 3/4" inch gravel or larger figure on at least 2 inches in depth to get good coverage. If you want to haul these materials in your own truck, you need to know the weight per ton and the capacity of your truck. As a general rule of thumb, small trucks (1/2 ton) can haul a half yard of gravels and soil or a yard of bark. Large pick-up trucks (3/4 and 1 ton) can haul one yard of heavy material or a couple of yards of bark. Or, we can deliver to your site.

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