Rincon Valley, Arizona's Landscape Supply Company

Will the caliche layer in my Rincon Valley yard cause drainage problems if I install decomposed granite on top of it?

A shallow caliche layer in Rincon Valley can cause water to pond on top of decomposed granite during heavy rain because it blocks downward drainage. Scarifying or breaking through the caliche before installation, or grading the surface to direct runoff toward a drain or swale, helps prevent pooling. In areas where drainage cannot be improved, river rock over a coarse gravel base is a better option than compacted decomposed granite.

How do I keep weeds from pushing through my new decomposed granite installation in Rincon Valley?

The most important step is installing quality woven landscape fabric before spreading decomposed granite. In Rincon Valley's sandy soil, weed seeds germinate quickly after any rain event. A tight-weave fabric blocks most seeds while still letting water pass through to plant roots. Overlapping fabric seams by six inches and pinning edges securely prevents the gaps where weeds most often find a way through into the surface layer.