Garland Stone Delivery

Will decomposed granite wash away during Garland's heavy spring rainstorms?

Decomposed granite can shift on sloped surfaces during very heavy rain if it is not properly stabilized. For flat to gently sloped areas in Garland, standard decomposed granite performs well as a pathway material and holds up through most storms. If your path or patio area has any notable slope, consider stabilized decomposed granite, which uses a binding agent to keep the material from migrating. Edging around the perimeter of any DG installation is also important to keep the material contained during the heavy rain events that hit Garland every spring.

I want to replace my side yard grass with gravel because nothing grows there. What do you recommend for Garland?

Pea gravel or crushed granite are both excellent choices for that kind of side yard conversion in Garland. Pea gravel is comfortable underfoot, drains well, and stays cooler than larger stones in full sun. Crushed granite packs down nicely and creates a neater, more finished look if the area gets foot traffic. In either case, install a good quality landscape fabric under the stone to keep Garland's clay from gradually absorbing the gravel upward, which is a real phenomenon with heavy clay soils and fine stone over time.

How deep does gravel need to be for a proper pathway in my Garland yard?

For a functional and attractive pathway in Garland, 3 to 4 inches of gravel depth is the right target. Less than 2 inches tends to get displaced quickly from foot traffic and from the shifting that Garland's clay soil does as it expands and contracts through wet and dry cycles. Setting a solid edging material like metal or plastic landscape edging before you fill the path keeps the gravel contained and maintains a clean line between the pathway and adjacent planting beds. This small upfront step makes a big difference in how good the path looks a year after installation.

Is limestone gravel a good fit for Garland, or will it affect my soil pH in a bad way?

Garland's Blackland Clay is already naturally alkaline, so limestone gravel used as a decorative border or pathway material is not going to cause the kind of pH problem it might in a more acidic soil region. The small amount of calcium carbonate that leaches from limestone over time actually matches the existing mineral profile of Garland's native soil quite well. Where you want to be careful is if you are growing acid-loving plants like azaleas immediately adjacent to a limestone border, since any additional alkalinity in that spot could stress those particular plants.

Can I use river rock to help fix the area where water pools near my Garland foundation?

River rock can be part of the solution for foundation drainage issues in Garland, but it works best as part of a properly graded system rather than as a standalone fix. The goal is to get the grade sloping away from your foundation at about an inch per foot for the first 6 to 10 feet. Once the grade is right, a river rock border or dry creek bed can carry that water elegantly away from the structure. If the pooling is caused by a true low spot with no outlet, you may need a drain line before the rock will be effective.

How many cubic yards of stone do I need to cover a 10x20 foot area?

A 10 by 20 foot area, which is 200 square feet, covered to a 3-inch depth requires approximately 1.85 cubic yards of stone. If you are planning a 4-inch depth for better stability and weed suppression, you will need about 2.5 cubic yards. Our calculator on this page lets you plug in your exact dimensions and chosen depth so you can order precisely what you need. Ordering a small buffer of 10 percent above your calculated amount is always a good idea for stone projects since you will inevitably need to adjust depths in spots.