Classic pea gravel with smooth, rounded edges and natural earth tones. A versatile favorite for pathways, patios, drainage, and decorative ground cover.
Mulch Mound delivered a yard of pea gravel to us. Delivery was on time, driver was friendly and hit a bullseye on the “tarp target”. We used the pea gravel (which was diameter as specified) to fill several muskrat holes around our pond. I would definitely recommend Mulch Mo...
Classic pea gravel with smooth, rounded edges and natural earth tones. A versatile favorite for pathways, patios, drainage, and decorative ground cover.
Mulch Mound delivered a yard of pea gravel to us. Delivery was on time, driver was friendly and hit a bullseye on the “tarp target”. We used the pea gravel (which was diameter as specified) to fill several muskrat holes around our pond. I would definitely recommend Mulch Mo...
How Much Material Do I Need?
For decorative and low-maintenance ground cover applications in Keene, 2 to 3 inches of stone depth is the standard recommendation. For drainage swales, dry creek beds, and high-traffic pathways on glacial till soil, 4 to 6 inches provides the stability and water management capacity these applications require.
Use our free stone calculator
What is a yard?
A yard is approximately 27 cubic feet. As a general guideline, one yard of material can cover an area of about 100-160 square feet at a 2-3 inch depth.
Mulch Mound delivered a yard of pea gravel to us. Delivery was on time, driver was friendly and hit a bullseye on the “tarp target”. We used the ...
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Mulch Mound delivered a yard of pea gravel to us. Delivery was on time, driver was friendly and hit a bullseye on the “tarp target”. We used the pea gravel (which was diameter as specified) to fill several muskrat holes around our pond. I would definitely recommend Mulch Mound to a friend!
When estimating stone quantities for a Keene project, measure the length and width of each area in feet and decide on your target depth before using the calculator. Stone is denser than mulch or soil, so the same cubic yard covers less area at the same depth. For drainage projects where you are filling a trench or creek bed on a sloped Keene property, add 10 to 15 percent to your calculated total to account for settling and void space between stones.
Complete Your Outdoor Stone Project
Stone borders and edging work best when paired with a clean mulch layer inside the bed, creating a defined transition that keeps both materials in place through Keene's rainy seasons. If you are also grading or filling areas around your stone installation, adding topsoil to low spots before laying stone gives you a stable, level base that resists the settling common in glacial till soil.
Before spreading stone on any Keene property area, lay a quality landscape fabric beneath it to prevent the glacial till soil from slowly mixing up into the stone layer over time. Keene's freeze-thaw cycles push soil particles upward through winter, and without a fabric barrier, stone areas gradually develop a muddy, contaminated base that reduces drainage and dulls the appearance of decorative stone over just a few seasons.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
Use larger cobble or fieldstone as a natural border along the downhill edge of any stone installation on sloped Keene properties. A single row of larger stones set firmly into the ground creates a grade break that slows surface water and prevents finer gravel from washing downhill during heavy rain events. This simple edge treatment can save you from having to replenish washed stone every spring after the ground thaws.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
Stone around your Keene foundation is a practical choice for both drainage and aesthetics, but make sure the stone surface is graded to slope away from the house at roughly one inch per foot. Keene's 43 inches of annual rainfall means foundation borders see substantial water flow, and a flat or inward-sloping stone bed channels water toward the foundation rather than away from it. A properly graded stone border combined with good gutter management significantly reduces basement moisture issues on older Keene homes.
The Unique Landscape of Keene
Stone is one of the most practical landscape materials for Keene properties because it does not break down, does not need annual refreshing, and handles Keene's 43 inches of yearly rainfall without eroding or washing away. Glacial till soils drain slowly, which means poorly managed areas around foundations, driveways, and walkways can become chronically muddy and wet through much of the spring. A well-placed layer of crushed stone or decorative gravel redirects surface water, stabilizes high-traffic areas, and creates clean separation between lawn and planting beds. Keene's Zone 5b winters also cause significant frost heave in paths and edging, and stone materials flex and resettle naturally without cracking the way poured surfaces can. From functional dry creek beds that manage runoff to decorative garden borders that frame beds through all four seasons, stone adapts to almost every landscaping challenge Keene homeowners face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see the answer
Answer
What size stone works best for a gravel pathway in Keene?
Three-quarter inch crushed stone or a processed gravel blend is the most popular choice for walking paths in Keene. It compacts well, provides stable footing even after rain, and does not shift underfoot the way larger stones can. For paths on sloped Keene properties, a compacted gravel base topped with a finer crushed stone gives you the drainage you need without the erosion risk that bare glacial till paths develop over time.
Answer
Can stone help with the drainage problems caused by my Keene yard's heavy glacial till soil?
Yes, this is one of the most practical uses for bulk stone in the Keene area. Glacial till drains slowly and tends to channel surface water in unpredictable ways after heavy rain. A dry creek bed filled with river stone, or a trench filled with crushed drainage stone along a problem area, gives that water a defined path to follow and prevents it from pooling against foundations or eroding garden beds.
Answer
Will decorative stone hold up through Keene's winters without shifting or sinking?
Decorative stone handles Keene's Zone 5b winters very well compared to other ground cover options. While frost heave does affect the glacial till soil beneath, stone itself does not degrade or wash away. You may need to rake and redistribute stone in spring after significant heave cycles, but the material remains intact and functional through even the hardest Keene winters.
Answer
How thick should I put stone down for a low-maintenance garden area in Keene?
For a decorative low-maintenance zone or a foundation border in Keene, 2 to 3 inches of stone over a landscape fabric layer provides solid weed suppression and a finished appearance. For drainage applications like a dry creek bed or a gravel swale designed to handle runoff during Keene's rainy stretches, 4 to 6 inches of stone gives you the volume to absorb and channel water flow effectively.
Answer
Is stone a good option for areas of my Keene yard that stay muddy all season long?
Stone is often the best long-term solution for chronically muddy areas in Keene, especially those where the glacial till below simply does not drain well enough to support grass or plants. A 4 inch layer of crushed stone over the problem area stabilizes the surface, gives water somewhere to percolate, and eliminates the muddy patches that develop around high-traffic zones like side yards, dog runs, and parking areas.
Answer
What is the difference between river stone and crushed stone for a Keene garden?
River stone has smooth, rounded edges worn naturally by water, which makes it attractive for decorative applications like dry creek beds, garden borders, and featured planting areas. Crushed stone has angular edges that lock together when compacted, making it better for pathways, driveways, and drainage applications where stability and load-bearing matter. For most Keene landscaping projects, you will want crushed stone where function comes first and river stone where appearance is the priority.
Answer
How do I keep stone from spreading into my lawn on a sloped Keene property?
Installing a solid edging product between your stone area and the lawn is the most reliable solution on Keene's frequently sloped lots. Metal or composite edging driven a few inches into the ground creates a barrier that keeps stone from migrating onto grass during heavy rain events. On steeper slopes, a low stone border or a row of larger cobble stones creates a physical stop that handles both stone containment and the erosion that Keene's rainfall can cause on exposed hillside areas.
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