River Rock Landscaping Ideas

River Rock Landscaping Ideas

River pebble mulch is harvested from riverbeds. It is one of the most common varieties of rock mulches and can be found by various names like river rock or Mississippi stone. Most garden centers or landscape supply stores will have river rock available in different sizes, from small pebbles to large chunks. These River Rock Landscaping Ideas will provide some ideas for your landscape.

Choosing the Right Rocks for Your Landscape

While excellent at controlling erosion, rock mulches do not help retain moisture in the soil like organic mulches. In fact, rock mulches tend to heat up quite a bit in the sun, causing the soil beneath them to be hot and dry. They also reflect sunlight up at plants, causing excessive transpiration and drying out. Because of this heat, dryness and dense coverage, rock mulches do work well to suppress weeds.

While the initial cost to fill landscape beds with rock mulch can be very costly, the rock lasts much longer, saving you money in the long run. Another benefit to rock mulch vs. organic mulch is that beds mulched with rock do not provide hiding spots and adequate breeding grounds for many pests and diseases like organic mulches do. Using rock mulch, it is hard to plant new plants in and is pretty much permanent once it has been laid.

Tips for River Rocks

1. Alternative to wood mulches, river rocks are more durable and will last.
2. A stepping stone path is a picturesque option for those shady areas alongside your house, where there is too little sun for most plants to thrive.
3. River rocks are great for drains and diverting water away from foundations or sloping landscapes.
4. Permanently planted beds, like rings around large trees or other areas where you plan to just plant once and be done with it.
5. Great for Xeriscaping

Designing landscapes with river rocks is a great way to limit soil erosion and provide a beautiful touch to your landscape. Call Frisco Sod Grass for a free consultation.

See Also: Flower Bed Ideas