How Much Landscaping Rock Do You Need?

Enhancing the appearance of your home or property is a great way to make it look truly beautiful and inviting. Whether you’re looking to add a few decorative touches or want to create an entire outdoor space, landscaping rock can be a great addition. But how much do you need?

Having a consistent lawn mowing routine is a part of maintaining your landscape that will keep your front and backyard looking amazing. A healthy lawn is a happy lawn.

Read on to find out the right amount of landscaping rock you will need to make your outdoor space look stunning. From the types of rocks to the amount needed, you will find everything you need to know here. So, let’s get started on creating your dream outdoor space!

Things to keep in mind

To get the correct amount of landscaping rock, it is important to keep in mind both the size of the area you’re working with and the depth of coverage you desire. You should first measure the area and then decide what type of rock you want to use. For example, a large backyard might need several dump truckloads, while a small patio might only require a few bags of pea gravel.

Materials needed

Some important things that you will need are listed below:

  • Spray paint
  • Calculator
  • Paper
  • Pen
  • Shovel
  • Landscaping fabric
  • Rake
  • Landscape rock
  • Garden hose
  • Plate compactor
landscaping rock
Landscaping rock in flower bed.

Steps to calculating the amount of rock needed

Measure the length and width of the space you’re working with to determine how many cubic yards of landscaping rocks you’ll need. After that, multiply those figures by the desired depth of coverage in feet. The final step is to convert the sum to cubic yards by multiplying it by 27.

Consider a rectangular space that is 8 feet long and 4 feet wide as an example. The depth of the landscaping rocks should be 4 inches. First, multiply 8 by 4 to obtain 32 cubic yards, which is how many cubic yards of rock you’ll need. The result of multiplying 32 by 4 is 128. Finally, divide 128 by 27 to get 4.74 cubic yards of rock.

Keep in mind that this is merely an estimate. Always buy a few more landscaping rocks than you think you’re going to need, just to be cautious. If you do, you won’t need to go back to the store if you find you need more than you anticipated.

If you’re going to put down landscaping rock, think about enhancing the look of your property even more by installing fresh sod. New turf combined with new landscaping rock cannot be beat.

Common types of landscaping rocks

Some of the most common types of landscaping rocks are mentioned below:

  • Decomposed Granite
  • Pea Gravel
  • Crushed Granite
  • Mexican Beach Pebbles
  • Lava Rock
  • River Rocks

Pro tips for laying down landscaping rocks

landscaping rock in flower bed
Landscaping rock with pink flowers and green foliage plants.

It’s time to begin placing the rock once you’ve calculated how much landscaping rock you need and have bought the required amount. Here are some tips to make the procedure run more smoothly:

Lay landscape fabric first: Before spreading the rocks, lay out landscape fabric to stop weeds from sprouting up through the rocks. Additionally, this material will assist in keeping the pebbles in place and stop them from moving around your yard.

Use a garden hose: This will make it easier for you to see where the rocks should go and prevent you from unintentionally scattering them outside of the intended region.

Spread an even layer: Distribute the rocks evenly over the entire area using a rake. Make sure not to create any mounds and dips, as they will make your landscaping look uneven.

Add additional rock if necessary: After you’ve dispersed the rocks, stand back and evaluate the coverage. Simply keep adding rocks if it appears that more are needed until you are happy with the outcome.

Employ a plate compactor: After the rocks have been evenly distributed, compact the material using a plate compactor. This will make it less likely to move or shift over time.

Final Thoughts

You now understand how to determine the amount of landscaping rock required for your project. There are many types of landscaping rocks available, so choosing the right type will depend on your taste and project. With the right amount of landscaping rock, you can create the outdoor space you’ve always wanted.

Once you have all your landscaping rock laid out, consider having your irrigation system checked out to make sure that all your plants and flowers will receive enough water.

 

Leave a Comment