#LANDSCAPING ROCKS THAT ABSORB WATER INSTALL#
#LANDSCAPING ROCKS THAT ABSORB WATER FULL#

Whether you choose stepping stones or a deconstructed gravel path, the sky’s the limit when it comes to design choices. Create a rock pathĪ rock path is one of the most common rock landscaping ideas. How to Use Rocks in Your Landscape Design 1. If you want to make a dramatic impact with your rock garden, choose rocks of varying sizes to create a moment, or add a couple of boulders to break up a swath of gravel and prevent it from looking too uniform. If you love the look of black rocks but you live in a hot, sunny climate, consider how much heat they’ll absorb and release-potentially damaging plants (and injuring bare feet!) that come into contact with them.Īlso, consider the scale and size of the rocks. How will the stones be used in your garden design, and how will people interact with them?īagged marble chips are an elegant option, but because the edges are sharp, they’re not suitable to walk on-if you use these for a path, you’ll need to add stepping stones as well. When considering rock garden landscaping ideas, think about what you want to achieve in your outdoor space-what kind of aesthetic you’d like to add, where the rocks will go, and what function they may have. And unlike mulch that disintegrates over time and needs frequent replenishment, rocks are fairly permanent. They can also prevent soil erosion, reduce weed growth, and create a great natural edging between materials. Like mulch, rocks, and pebbles can help maintain moisture in your flower beds-slowing the evaporation process and reducing the need to water your plants as often. Rocks can substitute for mulch and will last longer. If there isn’t flammable material, an encroaching fire can potentially burn out before reaching your house. According to the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, stones, pebbles, and the like are considered ”fire-wise landscaping.” Placing rocks and fire-resistant plants near your home, rather than wood chips and flammable vegetation, may help protect your house from fire. And conserving water, no matter where you are will also save you money. Rock gardens are so versatile that you can still achieve the yard of your dreams-whether you want a wilderness-inspired garden or a modern minimalist design-without wasting this precious resource. In addition to our many choices in decorative groundcovers, we provide rip rap, flagstone, topsoil, sand, gravel, and a huge selection of boulders.Ĭall us at 60 or contact us online.Water is scarce in some parts of the United States, where drought-like conditions mean conserving water as much as possible. We supply a wide range of products for all sorts of uses at competitive prices. If you aren’t comfortable doing that yourself, talk to a landscape professional.Īt MDI Rock, we're happy to help you choose the right type of rock and calculate how much you'll need.

#LANDSCAPING ROCKS THAT ABSORB WATER INSTALL#

This type of irrigation emits small amounts of water right at the root zone of plants so you very little water evaporates or runs off to the sidewalk.īecause irrigation water lines need to go underground, it’s most practical to plan and install your irrigation system before you start planting and adding rock. Unless you’re trying to grow grass, the most efficient way to water your trees and other plants is with drip irrigation. In-ground installation is always going to be more efficient, both in time and water usage, than standing around with a hose. Pink Coral 1/2” or Autumn Gold 1/4' combined with Buff Flagstone for a walkway, and two or three Autumn Gold Boulders might work well, depending on your needs and your plans for the landscape. So for rock that will be used in direct sun, choose those light shades. Dark colors absorb more heat than light colors. Remember what your mother used to tell you about dressing for the heat. Other trees that do well without too much water include acacia, hackberry, desert willow, and live oak.

#LANDSCAPING ROCKS THAT ABSORB WATER FULL#

They will need some irrigation to look good but not nearly as much as a big yard full of Bermuda grass. They thrive in our low-water, high-heat conditions. There’s a reason you see so many mesquites and palo verdes in the Valley of the Sun. Desert-adapted trees and shrubs can help keep your landscape cool without requiring nearly the amount of water that grass does. Outdoor awnings, canopies, shade sails, and other types of shade structures can shelter your rock landscape from the hot summer rays so the rocks don’t radiate so much heat onto your house and your yard. With some careful planning, though, you can save water without adding too much heat to your home and its surroundings. The not-so-great thing is that they absorb a lot more heat than grass does. The great thing about rock landscapes in the summer is you don’t have to water them.

Landscaping rocks that absorb water