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DIY Landscape Design Design Dilemma

Rocks - too keep or not to keep!

Alex Farnsworth

last month

13x15’ space full of rock. 🪨 Would love to do something fun and new to spice up our yard!

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Comments (13)

D M PNW
last month
That must be hard to walk on. It would help if you gave more information on how you want to use the space; where you are in the world, how much sun the space gets, what is on the wall that isn't visible, and is there a view in the direction you are standing.
Lindsay Welsh
last month
Seems like an unusable space with the rocks. Extending your pavers or adding turf would be a great touch!
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Is that a mesquite tree? If so, you're doomed dude. We have two mesquites in back and our yard is quarter minus gravel.....like coarse sand. I have two bushy dogs. Their favorite thing is rolling around in it, then they are covered. They will get a skinhead haircut next week. I've wondered if those brooms I see at the Asian markets would work? I'd love to hear from anyone who manages this well. Best we can figure is when the tree stops dropping we rake, sort what we can and get more gravel to replace what we lose. I learn so much from my mistakes......larger leaves would be easier to clean up, mesquite leaves are not.
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Can I just dump mulch on this rock garden to keep weeds at bay?
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When we began gardening here I made the mistake of using landscape fabric as a means of trying to control weeds. Big mistake! The soil here was high in clay and low in organic matter. Landscape fabric is touted as being permeable to air and water, making it beneficial. What is not pointed out is that it is impermeable to soil organisms (e.g. worms and other live insects) that draw dead leaves and plant material into the soil that, together with the dead bodies of insects, and fungi etc., are the main sources of organic matter in the soil. The movement of the insects etc. through the soil creates channels in the soil that allow for the movement of air and water. So, as the landscape fabric negatively affects that soil enviroment, the insects etc. move out, their tunnels collapse and the soil ends up compacted and poorer in organic matter. To top it off, weed seeds will germinate in whatever is on top of the fabric (e.g. mulch or rocks) and send their roots down through the fabric, making them harder to remove… After a few years I realized that was happening, making my soil worse while not doing much to control weeds, so I removed the fabric (not an easy thing to do!) and opted instead for my ’no bare ground’ planting approach. My soil is now much healthier and the weeds are fewer and easier to remove. As far as I can see, the only viable use for lanscape fabric is under the gravel base for hardscaping where it will help keep the gravel from moving into the soil and where its negative effects on the soil environment doesn’t matter as much since plant material is not expected or desired to grow where hardscaping is located.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last month
Crushed stone would have make more sense.

Remove the stone and install artificial turf.
HU-910663146
last month
Ok, but what do you intend to do with the rocks that you have?
jackowskib
last month
Consider adding a fun umbrella for shade, and get larger stepping stones laid in two’s so easier to walk on and have rocker on larger stepping stone. Add a trellis in front of blank wall with a cool pot for vining flowers like mandevilla.
Kendrah
last month
Is this your only outdoor space? How do you want to use it, what kinds of activities?
tozmo1
last month
Is this a house new to you? If so, I'd wait a bit a see if the rocks perform a functional purpose such as drainage, doggy area, etc. before making changes.
ShadyWillowFarm
last month
I would paint the concrete block wall, and do more pavers to make walking easier. Nicer seating too. It’s not a bad little spot.🙂
arcy_gw
last month
Xero scape--isn't everyone's favorite. Crushed/pea rock is easily tracked into the house--which is why it isn't preferred by some. The pic doesn't really give us much to go on. Could you post pics of the entire yard and farther back so we have some perspective?
cecily 7A
last month
Something to create interest on the concrete block wall - paint, decorative tile or ???
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
last modified: last month
I have pea gravel and lots of it but now where we sit why not build a free floating deck there to just clear the gravel if low enough it does not need posts just those concrete bases I have built ones for clients in a day. easily DIYed too. Yes to something hung on that wall or a panel standing just in front of it since you do not want to damage the wall.
Maureen
last month
last modified: last month
The first thing I would do is increase the size and proximity of the pavers, both from a visual and safety perspective. How do you envision using this space, as I see the rocks being detrimental to being practical and easy to navigate. Do you have a backyard to accommodate your needs and just treat this area as an entrance.

Lots of ways to make it fun and more welcoming: painting the cinderblocks and gate, potted plants, water feature, list goes on. Decide on your budget and effort if doing yourself when considering options.
kelli_ga
last month
Those rocks are nice for border landscaping if you decide to remove them from that area. First decide what you want to use the area for, then figure out where you can use the rocks. Maybe in the front yard as mulch for decorative shrubs.

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