How to Install Landscape Rock for Backyard Decor and Rock Gardens

Landscape rock can be a simple and effective way to transform your garden, especially if you’ve got an area where plants fail to thrive or is difficult for you to maintain. Rock gardens can be low maintenance and are a great place to try new and exciting planting schemes.

But – how can you install landscape rock and make it look good while enhancing your garden and homestead?

In this guide – we’ll show you our exact process for installing landscape rock without fuss.

Sound good?

Let’s continue!

How to Install Landscape Rock

Installing landscape rocks is easy – but it takes a little elbow grease depending upon the size of your landscaping rocks or homestead. Here are the basic steps involved.

1. Planning and Clearing
2. Install Weed Barriers – If Needed
3. Lay an Optional Layer of Sand
4. Place Your Rocks and Firmly Set Them
5. Level Your Rocks – Neatness Counts

Here is our process for how to install landscape rocks.

1. Planning and Clearing

Installing landscape rocks always starts with careful planning. Once you install landscape rocks – you won’t want to move them. So – plan and prosper!

Which rocks do you want? Large or small? What size and colors? And where do you want them?

We recommend a flat surface if possible. That’s where clearing comes into play. You should remove any clutter, garden toys, sticks, weeds, and yard debris from your prospective rock garden.

2. Install Weed Barriers – If Needed

Our homesteading friends usually love rock gardens for nooks of their yard where fruits and veggies won’t grow. But – sometimes, weeds can flourish where other plants won’t!

So we sometimes recommend using weed barriers underneath landscaping rocks. Other homesteaders detest weed barriers – and we also argue that if you place landscaping rocks thick enough – you probably won’t need weed barriers. If you commit to natural weed removal? You can skip the weed barrier.

3. Lay an Optional Layer of Sand

Unless you have a sloped backyard, we try to install landscaping rocks on a flat surface. If you have small hills and valleys in your yard, sand is the best equalizer.

You can fill any holes and gaps with landscaping sand.

Sand also helps keep your landscaping rocks in place! You can easily position them precisely how you want if you have a thick layer of landscaping sand.

4. Place Your Rocks and Firmly Set Them

Placing and installing the landscaping stones is infinitely easier on a flat surface! It’s also easy to gently nest heavier boulders or stones in a thick bed of sand. Sand can also improve the design of your rocks and add contrasting colors and styles. You can also use sand alternatives!

Rubber or wooden mulch also enhances your rock garden and landscaping stone design – and they help stifle weeds.

5. Add Rock Garden Enhancements

Creativity can make or break your rock garden – and your landscaping rocks. Sometimes, we spend all day finding the perfectly shaped landscaping rock for every spot in the rockery garden.

Once you decide on the perfect location? Look to enhance your rock garden! Try to find local herbs with white flowers and other contrasting colors to help finish your design. Or – consider shade-loving herbs to help bring your rock garden to life.

That’s another reason we often skip the weed barrier. Your rock garden is the perfect place to grow a variety of herbs. You can also nestle potted plants inside your rock garden if your soil isn’t the best.

Now that we’ve discussed how to install landscape rocks – we should also talk about the landscape rock nuances that most homesteaders overlook.

When installing landscape rocks, also consider the following.

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What’s the Best Rock Size for Landscaping?

There is no definitive answer to this, as it depends entirely on what you want! Small landscaping rocks are great for covering areas of ground, while larger landscaping rocks can get used for creating a striking visual effect.

One of my favorite ways to use landscaping rock is to combine several sizes to give the impression of a varying landscape. Smaller landscaping rocks can get used for creating pathways, with medium and heavier landscaping rocks spreading out into the planting areas. Large boulders can be dotted around to create focal spots. Boulders are also a nice place to sit and admire your garden!

Should I Put Plastic Under River Rock?

Many homesteaders advocate putting plastic under rock gardens to suppress weeds, but this is not a good option for the environment.

Plastic will suffocate the soil and cut it off from essential water and moisture. Rainwater will not get absorbed. So you may run into problems with rainwater runoff or localized flooding.

Plastic will also start breaking down over time, leaving thousands of tiny pieces of plastic under your landscape rock. We’re not plastic advocates.

Should I Put Sand Under Landscaping Rocks?

Sand is superior to plastic. Sand can be tremendously helpful under landscaping rocks, as it helps to bed them into the ground and keep them secure. Securing your landscaping rocks and boulders is essential if you use heavier boulders that need setting into the ground.

The great thing about sand is that it will blend well with your rock, hiding the soil underneath. It is also surprisingly easy to pull up pesky weeds that take root in a layer of garden sand!

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Installing Landscape Rocks –FAQs

Now we’ve got you all inspired to give landscaping rock a try? Let’s answer the most common questions about using this simple but effective garden decoration!

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Best Landscaping Stones for Easy Installation

Installing landscape rocks doesn’t have to be a grueling headache!

We found some of the best-reviewed landscape stones and rocks perfect for rockery gardens, flower beds, raised beds, and pathways.

We also tried to find the lightest stones possible – so you can avoid straining your knees and back when installing these stones.