Gravel is a versatile landscaping tool that is useful in projects ranging from driveways to flower beds. It is low-maintenance, drought-friendly, and offers excellent drainage solutions. As you work on your landscape design, you can make the most of it by knowing the best practices to follow and the most common mistakes to avoid.

Do:

Vary the color and rock size.

Pick up a few different types of landscaping supplies when designing your property. When you use only one kind of rock, it creates a monotonous landscape. Diversifying the colors and rock sizes will keep it interesting, adding depth to the yard and increasing the aesthetic appeal. For example, line a pathway with a light color to match the pavement and add a dry river bed of dark, smooth stones through the lawn.

Incorporate plants.

You can add interest and color to the yard with plants, which will soften the look of the rocks. Succulents look beautiful with gravel and do not require sprinkler installations or much dirt. Choose plants with different textures, colors, and heights to create the most interest and make the landscape look natural. If you want to draw butterflies or hummingbirds, add some flowers around the greenery.

Don’t:

Guess the quantity.

Gravel comes in cubic yards, making the amount that you need challenging to guess. Stake out the spaces that you are laying the rock and measure them to find the volume of the area. Plan to lay down two to three inches of rock for low-traffic areas, such as flower beds, and four to six inches for high-traffic areas, like pathways.

Use straight lines.

Straight lines do not typically appear in nature, so unless you’re designing a contemporary yard, you should avoid them. Never line up larger stones in a row; instead, offset them so that they have a natural curve. When you lay down a faux river bed or pathway, wind it through the yard.

When you need landscaping supplies, contact LaSalle Sand & Gravel. They carry an expansive inventory for projects in Kalispell, MT, and throughout the Flathead area. Not only will they deliver your gravel and prepare your yard for the project, but they also provide land grading and road building services. Call (406) 756-9070 to speak to a team member about your needs.