The Size of the Decorative Stones You Prefer to Use
Some decorative landscaping stones are on the small side, as is the case with attractive beach pebbles such as black polished pebbles. In this case, it’s a good idea to go a bit further with depth, especially in places where you want to keep these smaller decorative stones in place, such as on a hilly surface. However, if you prefer decorative stones on the larger side, you may not have to worry about depth as much. In this case, 1–2 inches of depth should be sufficient.
How Level the Target Area Is
We touched on this a bit above, but another factor to consider is how level the area is. If the target area is a bit uneven or hilly, the depth should be a bit more than what’s generally recommended, meaning about 5–7 inches to maintain proper placement. If the uneven surface isn’t on a hill, simply even it out and go with the depth that makes the most sense based on the type of decorative stones you’re using for your garden. Otherwise, the decorative stones will just end up looking uneven once they’re placed.
The Plants You Prefer to Use
Going a bit too far with depth can be problematic if you have plants with shallow root systems. In this case, you could have issues getting sufficient water and nutrients to your plants. On the other hand, if you’ll be planting veggies, herbs, or flowers with more extensive root systems or certain plants with longer base stems, you can go a bit further with depth.
Whether or Not You Want to Mix & Match Decorative Stones
There’s nothing wrong with mixing and matching decorative stones of varying sizes in your garden. In fact, the result can be an appealing mix of color variations and textures. But if you’re going to mix things up size-wise in your garden with the decorative stones, you may need to adjust the depth accordingly. For instance, if you mix larger and smaller decorative stones, such as snow-white pebbles and pure gold river rock, you’ll need to increase the depth a bit more than the average mentioned above. If you go with a mix of smaller decorative stones for your garden, a shallower depth can work well.
Experimenting if You’re in Doubt
If you’re still not sure how deep to place your decorative stones, you can do some experimenting by simply trying a few different depths. Do this in corners where you can try some variations in depth without needing to worry too much about having a big mess to clean up once you figure out the depth that’s going to be right for your garden stones.
No matter what type of landscaping project you’re planning, you can enhance its 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.
