Measure the Area(s) Where You’ll Be Putting Your Decorative Rocks
Get a better feel for whether it’s good to go with a full ton of river rocks by measuring the area(s) where your decorative rocks will be placed. In square or rectangular spaces, measure the length and width and multiply these two figures to get the square footage.
For a circular space, you’ll need to get the radius. This is determined by measuring the distance from the center of the circle to the edge. The figure you get is multiplied by itself and multiplied again by 3.14 to get the number of square feet.
Figure Out the Depth
Next, figure out what you’ll prefer with depth in each area. For example, if you have hilly terrain, a greater depth tends to work better to improve stability. For flat spots, a shallow depth is fine, and you’ll still get plenty of coverage with the decorative rocks. As for figuring out how many river rocks you’ll need, take your preferred depth in inches and convert it to feet. This is done by dividing your depth in inches by 12. The square footage you already figured out for the same area is then multiplied by the preferred depth.
Determine How Many Bags You’ll Need
River rocks are typically sold by the bag. A single bag of these decorative rocks usually weighs around 48–50 pounds. A ton weighs 2,000 pounds, so you’ll need about 40 bags to get a ton of river rocks. Determine with better accuracy how many bags you’ll need by dividing the cubic yards for the places where you’ll be putting your decorative rocks by what’s covered by a single bag. You should then be able to figure out if you’ll actually need a ton of river rocks or a little bit more or less.
Keep a Few Additional Tips in Mind
Don’t stress too much about having exactly enough river rocks for your exterior spaces. It’s better to get a general feel for what you’ll need based on the factors we discussed here. Besides, you can always add more river rocks later if you fall short of what you need in a few spots here and there. Another option is to go with complementary landscaping rocks such as white pebbles to fill any gaps if you don’t get enough river rocks initially. These areas can then be dressed up with plants and other living landscape elements for a more natural and cohesive look.
No matter what type of landscaping project you’re planning, you can give it added character and beauty with decorative rocks in a variety of sizes and colors, from pure gold pebbles to polished black river rock. For expert advice on designing your landscape with decorative rocks, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rocks Stones & Pebbles, a premier landscape rock and supply superstore. We specialize in drought-tolerant landscaping materials, including a variety of Mexican beach pebble and river rock. To learn how we can help you create the landscape of your dreams, call us today at (866) 380-0770.
