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 stone ground cover in La Crosse, a 3 to 4 inch depth provides solid weed suppression and stays in place during the heavy rain events that move lighter materials around. Drainage applications typically require at least 6 inches of clean crushed stone to move water effectively through La Crosse's slow-draining silt loam soil and prevent surface ponding.
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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!
Measure the length and width of your stone project area in feet, then multiply by your intended depth in feet (a 3-inch layer equals 0.25 feet) and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Stone is significantly heavier than mulch or soil, so be realistic about how much you can move in a single day before you schedule your delivery. For La Crosse drainage projects, calculate the linear footage of your swale and add extra material to account for the irregular terrain and hidden depth variations common in bluff-country and valley-floor properties throughout the city.
Complete Your Outdoor Stone Project
Pair your stone delivery with a bulk topsoil order to build up low areas and establish proper drainage grade before placing stone, so water moves away from your home rather than pooling beneath the surface. Adding a mulch border alongside stone pathways or foundation beds is a popular combination in La Crosse landscapes that blends texture and function beautifully through the entire growing season.
La Crosse's silt loam drains slowly, making surface swales and French drains filled with clean crushed stone an effective way to move water away from foundations and low spots. When installing a stone drainage feature, dig your channel a minimum of 6 inches deep and fill it with washed gravel or crushed limestone for the best water flow. This approach handles the heavy spring rain events that routinely saturate La Crosse yards and does so without any ongoing maintenance once installed.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
Stone pathways in La Crosse must account for the repeated freeze-thaw cycles that begin in October and can continue through late March, gradually shifting any surface that lacks a proper base. Lay a 4 to 6 inch compacted layer of crushed limestone or gravel beneath any decorative stone surface to prevent frost heaving from pushing your pathway out of alignment over the winter. Skipping the base layer is the most common and costly mistake La Crosse homeowners make, and it leads to uneven, trip-hazard surfaces within one or two seasons.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
With only about five months between La Crosse's last frost and first frost, stone ground cover in low-traffic areas eliminates the need for seasonal planting, weeding, and replanting that mulched beds demand every year. A 3 to 4 inch layer of decorative stone over landscape fabric suppresses weed growth effectively even in La Crosse's moist, fertile silt loam, which sprouts weeds aggressively all season long if given any exposed soil to colonize. This makes stone an excellent choice for foundation borders, side yards, and any area where you want a clean, finished appearance from May through the first snowfall.
The Unique Landscape of La Crosse
Stone is one of the most practical and long-lasting materials a La Crosse homeowner can add to their landscape, especially given the city's challenging combination of wet springs, cold winters, and silt loam soil that shifts with every freeze-thaw cycle. Pathways and patios built on properly prepared stone bases resist the frost heaving that cracks concrete and dislodges pavers in Zone 5a climates year after year. Drainage swales filled with river rock or crushed gravel channel La Crosse's 35 inches of annual rainfall away from foundations and low areas without requiring any ongoing maintenance. Stone borders along garden beds keep mulch in place during heavy downpours and define planting areas through the long winter months when vegetation has completely disappeared. The low-maintenance nature of stone makes it especially appealing for La Crosse homeowners who want curb appeal and functional landscaping that does not depend on a short five-month growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see the answer
Answer
What size stone works best for a backyard pathway in La Crosse?
Pea gravel and crushed limestone screenings, typically 3/8 to 3/4 inch in size, are the most popular choices for walkable pathways in La Crosse. Both pack down well, drain quickly after rain, and hold up through Zone 5a freeze-thaw winters without cracking or heaving the way solid paved surfaces can. Larger river rock is better suited for decorative areas or drainage channels than for a walking surface you use daily.
Answer
How do I use stone to control erosion on my bluff-side La Crosse property?
Larger riprap or flat fieldstone laid along the slope base is the most effective erosion control for the steep bluff properties found throughout La Crosse's hillside neighborhoods. The stone absorbs the energy of rainfall and surface runoff before it can carve channels in the silt loam beneath, where erosion can be severe. Pairing it with native plantings on the slope above holds soil between the stone and reduces runoff velocity during heavy spring storms.
Answer
Will decorative stone hold up through La Crosse's harsh freeze-thaw winters?
Natural stone holds up extremely well through Zone 5a winters, which is one reason it is such a popular choice in La Crosse landscapes compared to organic materials that break down or shift. Unlike mulch, stone does not decompose, wash away, or lose its appearance through the freeze-thaw cycles that run from October through March. The main concern is the base beneath the stone rather than the stone itself, so compacting a quality gravel base before placing decorative material is the key to long-term stability.
Answer
How much stone do I need to fill a drainage swale in my La Crosse yard?
Measure the length, width, and depth of your swale in feet, multiply all three together, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For a typical La Crosse drainage channel about 20 feet long, 1 foot wide, and 6 inches deep, you would need roughly 0.4 cubic yards of clean washed gravel. It is always worth ordering a bit extra because La Crosse's irregular silt loam terrain often hides deeper or wider spots that are not obvious until you start digging.
Answer
Is stone a good option for a low-maintenance ground cover in La Crosse beds?
Stone is one of the best low-maintenance ground cover choices for La Crosse homeowners who want attractive beds without constant seasonal upkeep. With only about five months between last and first frost, the growing window here is short and every weekend spent weeding is time not spent enjoying your yard. A 3 to 4 inch layer of decorative stone over quality landscape fabric suppresses weed growth effectively through the entire season, even in La Crosse's fertile, weed-prone silt loam soils.
Answer
What is the best type of stone for bordering garden beds in La Crosse?
Flat fieldstone, natural limestone, or larger 4 to 6 inch cobbles make excellent bed borders in La Crosse landscapes. These heavier stones resist displacement during the heavy spring rains that wash lighter materials out of position, and their mass helps them stay put through repeated freeze-thaw cycles without shifting or sinking. They also complement the natural bluff and river-valley aesthetic that characterizes well-designed La Crosse yards.
Answer
Do I need landscape fabric under decorative stone in La Crosse's silt loam soil?
Yes, landscape fabric is strongly recommended when placing decorative stone over silt loam in La Crosse. Without it, the fine particles in silt loam migrate upward through the stone layer over time, especially after repeated heavy rains, causing stone to sink and weeds to root directly into the soil below. A commercial-grade woven fabric, rather than the lightweight spun-bond type sold in garden centers, gives the best long-term separation and weed suppression in La Crosse's wet conditions.
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