- Rocks offer a variety of options for walkways, patios and driveways. Loose gravel should be compacted into a casual but sturdy and low-maintenance surface. Use large gravel on the bottom for the base and smaller gravel over the top layer. For a more stylized, rustic look, lay snapped or cut flagstones, slate or bluestone. Lay flat stones over a compacted gravel foundation to support the stones and prevent frost heave and water damage.
- Garden borders guard plants from wayward weeds while defining the garden's shape. You have several ways to use rocks as borders. Medium-size fieldstones should be partially recessed in a trench around the garden. The varying heights and shapes add subtle contrast to the texture of foliage and flowers. If you prefer smaller stones, lay a wider border of river rocks. Unlike timbers and other stiff edging, rock borders can hug tight curves and are easily adjusted if you decide to expand the garden in the future.
- Dry creek beds have a functional and ornamental purpose. They're an attractive solution for an area with clay soil or poor drainage. To install, dig a trench and line it with geotextile fabric and a thick layer of river rocks, gravel or pebbles. The bed should carry water to a small pond, waterfall or other outlet. Installed away from the home and play areas, creek beds can add depth and visual interest to an otherwise waterlogged area.
- If you want to reduce lawn maintenance or erosion, gravel offers an elegant and simple solution. While large nuggets of bark mulch tend to float away on slopes, gravel mulch stays put, insulates plants and retains moisture. Spread over flat areas with poor drainage, gravel forms a water-permeable attractive surface. As groundcover, loose rocks can also frame a rock garden, pond or other feature.
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