Landscaping Gravel Guide
Landscaping gravel covers decorative ground-cover applications -- garden bed borders, dry stream beds, pathways, and xeriscaping. Unlike structural crushed stone, decorative gravel is chosen for appearance: color, size, texture, and how it complements your landscape design.
The most popular landscaping gravels are pea gravel (smooth, rounded, 1/4-1/2 inch), river rock (smooth, 1-5 inches), decomposed granite (gold/tan, compacts), and marble chips (bright white). Each serves different aesthetic and functional purposes.
Key installation detail: always use landscape fabric under decorative gravel. Without it, gravel sinks into the soil within 1-2 years, and weeds grow through the thinning layer. Use commercial-grade woven fabric, not the cheap spun-bond type -- woven fabric lasts longer and drains better.