River Rock might not be the first rock that comes to mind when you think about landscaping. We think if you are in the Middle Tennessee area this readily available and beautiful natural stone should start to be one you think of often! Since you are checking out this blog, it is probably a fair assumption that you are wanting to make some changes to your landscape. You can start planning River Rock into your next landscape update and here are a few suggestions on why we think you should.
What is river rock?
You have probably seen river rock a thousand times without realizing it, especially in the Nashville area. This rock is more prevalent here due to having several rivers to harvest rocks from. River rocks come in all sizes and colors, ranging from tiny pebbles to golf-ball sized. They can be gray, red, blue, coral, pink, orange, black, or a combination. They can also be striped, spotted, or solid patterns.
But the thing all river rocks share whether they are from Nashville rivers or not, is their smooth, rounded shape. They get this from constant tossing of natural water flow. Rocks harvested from the earth are sharp with many edges, often having dull finishes. But river rock is made slightly shiny by the water treatment, and they are certainly not dull. This makes them the perfect addition for a landscape having a soft, less angular appearance.
Best Ways to Use River Rock
There are many ways to use river rock to make a masterpiece out of your yard. But where to start?
This detailed article points out 7 great ways to use river rock: for paths and walkways, beneath play areas, for edging, in gardens, as an accent in water features, and as erosion prevention. As you can see, river rock is both beautiful and practical. Their size and shape makes them perfect for under play areas. They work as a shock-absorbing layer, plus they won’t stick to your kids feet like gravel and mulch. River rock also gives your play area a clean and natural look, which is necessary in a planned-out landscape. Another good idea is using river rock in a garden.
How to Plan a Garden Using River Rock
While river rock is perfect for several elements of any landscape, it is also great for a garden. You can use it to separate garden beds, especially around the borders of raised beds. Lay a layer of black plastic or other grass-killing material to prevent weeds, then pour in your layer of river rock. You may want to define the borders of the river rock territory with bricks or wooden planks.
This article shows a couple of other ambitious river rock projects you can attempt yourself, including how to install a garden pathway. Using large, square rocks called pavers, you can create a dynamic path through your garden. First you want to mark out your intended pathway with spray paint, keeping in mind that a curved path is more natural-looking than a straight one. Then dig a 7-inch deep trench, lay your pavers (the stepping stones), then add a thin layer of river rocks. Walk across the stepping stones to set them in place, then fill the trench with the rest of the river rocks. The result is a lovely pathway through any garden!
Do you have river rock in your yard?
If you don’t have any Nashville river rock in your yard, it is time to change that. If you are planning to update or add a landscape this fall (once the weather cools off), you definitely should consider a pathway or other structure using river rock. You won’t be disappointed.
Do you already have river rock? What was the experience of finding and adding it to your landscape? We want to know! Leave a comment below.
The post How to Make a Masterpiece With River Rock appeared first on The Rock Place.
