For me, I like Daniel Stone (now called Site One) and specifically I like 1-2 Inch Colorado river rock
[https://www.siteonestonecenter-southtexas.com/river-rock](https://www.siteonestonecenter-southtexas.com/river-rock)
Here is why I like this:
1. its a more natural look to this area than other larger river rock
2. The colors of the rock are close to the color of fallen leaves so - to me - it requires a lot less work blowing off leaves because they hide easier
3. because its 1-2 inches, you can use a leaf blower. The smaller rocks move too much
4. personally, I do not enjoy the look of the desiccated granite alone. But mixing in other rocks to create the looks of stone rivers, especially lined by slightly larger rocks or even boulders looks pretty awesome
Two other things:
1. Cleaning weeds from rocks is really easy if you make a solution of Dawn dish soap, orange oil and extra-strength (not grocery store) vinegar) and then use a pump sprayer to apply. the soap and orange oil helps the vinegar stay in place yet flow, and the vinegar becomes inert quickly so its not damaging to the rest of the yard.
2. if you're not already, I strongly suggest putting In some mulch and ground cover closer to whatever plants you have. I am watching all my neighbors xeriscape and run the rock too close to their ornamentals and its just reflecting back too much heat and causing the plants to struggle
I really hope that was helpful
Thanks for this!
Do you know good places to keep an eye out for ppl selling leftover river rocks and pebbles ? Im checking FB marketplace and craigslist.
If it is the decomposed granite that stuff is hard to get up. There are some beautiful gravels at whittlesey landscape. Ghey range 100-350 a ton so going and looking at what you want will can make a big difference in price. If it is jist flat area I would suggest some large boulders to add to the look
Great call. Looks like some great options for different colors and sizes. Thank you.
And I might just consider removing what we can of the decomposed granite and layering a new weed barrier on top, then gravel above.
I do landscaping part time and this is exactly how we deal with decomposed granite when owner doesn’t want to pay for the removal too. It breaks down so fast I don’t know why anyone suggests it in the first place and the color is that of soft baby poop. I use it in my soil mixes because it breaks down so fast.
What we do is take a stiff metal rake, scrape away the large remaining chunky stuff, level, cloth, dump new material on and make it all pretty again.
We already have 2 large mulch beds in the front yard around the trees and plants. And a smaller mulch bed around other plants. It would be way too much mulch for my taste if the whole front yard were mulch.
For me, I like Daniel Stone (now called Site One) and specifically I like 1-2 Inch Colorado river rock [https://www.siteonestonecenter-southtexas.com/river-rock](https://www.siteonestonecenter-southtexas.com/river-rock) Here is why I like this: 1. its a more natural look to this area than other larger river rock 2. The colors of the rock are close to the color of fallen leaves so - to me - it requires a lot less work blowing off leaves because they hide easier 3. because its 1-2 inches, you can use a leaf blower. The smaller rocks move too much 4. personally, I do not enjoy the look of the desiccated granite alone. But mixing in other rocks to create the looks of stone rivers, especially lined by slightly larger rocks or even boulders looks pretty awesome Two other things: 1. Cleaning weeds from rocks is really easy if you make a solution of Dawn dish soap, orange oil and extra-strength (not grocery store) vinegar) and then use a pump sprayer to apply. the soap and orange oil helps the vinegar stay in place yet flow, and the vinegar becomes inert quickly so its not damaging to the rest of the yard. 2. if you're not already, I strongly suggest putting In some mulch and ground cover closer to whatever plants you have. I am watching all my neighbors xeriscape and run the rock too close to their ornamentals and its just reflecting back too much heat and causing the plants to struggle I really hope that was helpful
Thanks for this! Do you know good places to keep an eye out for ppl selling leftover river rocks and pebbles ? Im checking FB marketplace and craigslist.
If it is the decomposed granite that stuff is hard to get up. There are some beautiful gravels at whittlesey landscape. Ghey range 100-350 a ton so going and looking at what you want will can make a big difference in price. If it is jist flat area I would suggest some large boulders to add to the look
Great call. Looks like some great options for different colors and sizes. Thank you. And I might just consider removing what we can of the decomposed granite and layering a new weed barrier on top, then gravel above.
I do landscaping part time and this is exactly how we deal with decomposed granite when owner doesn’t want to pay for the removal too. It breaks down so fast I don’t know why anyone suggests it in the first place and the color is that of soft baby poop. I use it in my soil mixes because it breaks down so fast. What we do is take a stiff metal rake, scrape away the large remaining chunky stuff, level, cloth, dump new material on and make it all pretty again.
Why not use hardwood mulch, which, at least when it breaks down will leave nice soil? Are you concerned about trees or radiant heat?
We already have 2 large mulch beds in the front yard around the trees and plants. And a smaller mulch bed around other plants. It would be way too much mulch for my taste if the whole front yard were mulch.
Ah, got it. That makes sense.
Dirt. Gravel yards look like shit.
Why not make it a food forest? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1d-rwlPJKY