How to Use Rocks in Your Landscape

​When you are working to perfect your Louisiana landscape, make sure that you consider the many ways that you can incorporate rocks. Any landscaper will tell you that rocks and are incredibly versatile because they serve as groundcover while also adding contrast and texture. As a bonus, they also require almost no maintenance. Knowing more about incorporating them into your landscape opens up a work of functional and decorative possibilities.
 
Exploring Popular Rock Options
 
The first step is picking out the rocks that you will use for your Louisiana landscape. Here is a little information about commonly used options and the look and feel that they provide:
 

• River rocks with a tawny color can add some warmth.
• Black lava rocks are a good choice for a modern or minimalist look.
• White rocks work well for shady areas because they add brightness.
• Terracotta stones are a solid option when you want a more tropical vibe.
• Gravel rocks offer simplicity and work well with a shabby chic style.

 
Use Rocks Instead of Mulch
 
A good groundcover can help to protect your plant roots and it offers a finished look. Rocks can be a better choice than mulch because it is a lot more durable and you will not have to pull them all out and replace them every year like you often must do with mulch. Compared to mulch, rocks can also provide a sharper contrast when you choose options that are paler colors. For example, if you want to lay a groundcover under a dense bush or one that is deep in color, a light-colored rock can brighten the area and make your plants stand out. One additional benefit is that when used with a weed barrier, rocks can help in discouraging weed growth, keeping your garden looking clean and reducing the work you have to do to maintain it.
 
Create Walkways on Your Property
 
One of the best uses for rocks concerning your Louisiana landscape is to create walkways to better direct traffic on your property. It is common to place walkways in your garden area, from the sidewalk to your front door, from your driveway to a door and in your backyard going from your backdoor to a seating area.
 
Gravel rock is often the easiest to work with for walkways. A layer of two to four inches of gravel is usually ideal for a walkway, but make sure that the walkway is even and level before putting the gravel down. You should dig down into the soil two to four inches and place the gravel within this to keep it in place and to keep your walkways level with the rest of the ground area. This also makes your walkways appear neater and more defined. You might also consider lining the sides of the walkways with larger rocks or dense plants to help keep the gravel in place and to offer a decorative touch.
 
Frame Your Flower Beds
 
It is common to use large stones or wood to frame your flower beds, but rocks can offer a more natural look while serving the same purpose. For this element of your Louisiana landscape, start by planning your flower beds and marking them off with rope or string. Once the areas are planned, plant your flowers first so that it is easy to make adjustments to the size and shape of the beds if necessary.
 
Once your flowers are in place, dig out a small trench about two inches deep around the perimeter of your flower beds if you are using small rocks. You will place the rocks within the trench so that they stay in place. Ensure that the layer of rocks throughout the trench is even and level for a clean and professional look. If you are using larger rocks, you will not need a trench and you can simply place them around your flower bed perimeter.
 
Anchor and Accent Your Container Garden
 
A container garden can be a cool idea for an elegant Louisiana landscape. Start by picking out your containers and outdoor vases and getting your plants properly planted inside of them. Place the lower one to three inches, depending on the overall height, of your containers or vases down into the soil and pack the soil down around them. Then, you just need to fill the space in with the rocks that you chose. Smaller rocks are generally a better option for a container garden since it is easier to spread them around and ensure an even cover for the area.
 
Build a Simple Driveway
 
If your driveway is comprised of dirt and soil, gravel is a quick and simple solution for enhancing your Louisiana landscape. Placing this type of driveway can typically be done over the course of a weekend. This prevents issues, such as a muddy driveway on rainy days and the soil getting overly worn down, resulting in unevenness and dips that can make your driveway more difficult to walk and drive on.
 
Start by framing out the area where you plan to place the gravel for your driveway. Dig at least six to eight inches into the soil and make sure that it is level. Once it is level, ensure proper drainage and place a geotextile fabric down across the entire dug out area to help prevent erosion. Lay the gravel down in layers, with the first layer going directly on top of the fabric that you put down. This helps to make it sturdy so that it does not sink and dip in certain areas. Each layer should be even and approximately two inches deep, and you want three to four layers.
 
Your Louisiana landscape can be just about anything that you want it to be. What is nice about rocks is that they are very flexible and you can easily make changes as your property evolves. Whether you get help from a professional landscaper or you choose to tackle the work on your own, start with a plan and just make sure that what you choose works with the overall look and size of your property.