Number 57 crushed stone, angular limestone graded to about three quarters of an inch. The standard driveway, base and drainage gravel, it locks together under traffic and drains fast.
I used Mulch Mound to have 3 cubic yards of garden soil delivered. The process was easy and I love that I didn't have to call anyone. I placed my order online, picked my delivery date, laid out my tarp and the dirt was delivered. My delivery had to be pushed back, but I was ke...
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How Much Material Do I Need?
For decorative ground cover and garden borders in Portsmouth, a 3-inch layer of stone provides solid weed suppression and attractive coverage that holds up through the wet season. For drainage applications along foundations or in low spots where water collects, increase the depth to 4 to 6 inches to allow water to move freely through the stone layer above the clay base below.
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What is a ton?
A ton is 2,000 pounds of material. As a general guideline, one ton covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, depending on the size and density of the material.
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The best local stone, without the guesswork.
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About this stone
Number 57 crushed stone, angular limestone graded to about three quarters of an inch. The standard driveway, base and drainage gravel, it locks together under traffic and drains fast.
I used Mulch Mound to have 3 cubic yards of garden soil delivered. The process was easy and I love that I didn't have to call anyone. I placed my order online, picked my delivery date, laid out my tarp and the dirt was delivered. My delivery had to be pushed back, but I was ke...
How Much Material Do I Need?
For decorative ground cover and garden borders in Portsmouth, a 3-inch layer of stone provides solid weed suppression and attractive coverage that holds up through the wet season. For drainage applications along foundations or in low spots where water collects, increase the depth to 4 to 6 inches to allow water to move freely through the stone layer above the clay base below.
Use our free gravel calculator
What is a ton?
A ton is 2,000 pounds of material. As a general guideline, one ton covers roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches deep, depending on the size and density of the material.
I used Mulch Mound to have 3 cubic yards of garden soil delivered. The process was easy and I love that I didn't have to call anyone. I placed my o...
Read full review
I used Mulch Mound to have 3 cubic yards of garden soil delivered. The process was easy and I love that I didn't have to call anyone. I placed my order online, picked my delivery date, laid out my tarp and the dirt was delivered. My delivery had to be pushed back, but I was kept informed via text, which was great. So why not 5 stars? The description of garden soil on the website is "A balanced mix of topsoil and organic amendments ready for raised beds, flower gardens, and new planting areas. Good drainage, solid nutrients, easy to work with." What I got was more like fill dirt. It had a lot of gravel, a lot of clay, and random trash mixed in. I didn't test the soil to see if it actually had "amendments" because I already have compost and alpaca manure ready to add, but if I'd known the quality of the dirt was going to be the same as the bagged dirt I bought last year, I probably would have gotten 2 yards of top soil and a yard of leaf compost for better quality, especially since the leaf compost is cheaper. Photo of my mountain of dirt and just some of the trash I found in it.
Really appreciate the care and follow thru that this company had with our order. A hiccup came up but they were quick to respond and address all co...
Read full review
Really appreciate the care and follow thru that this company had with our order. A hiccup came up but they were quick to respond and address all concerns, which made our garden day a success! Thank you for your prompt care.
To estimate stone for your Portsmouth project, measure the area in square feet by multiplying length by width, then decide on your depth, typically 3 inches for decorative coverage and 4 to 6 inches for drainage or pathway base layers. Divide your square footage by 100 for a 3-inch depth to get approximate cubic yards needed. Because Portsmouth clay settles and shifts through freeze-thaw cycles, plan to have 10 to 15 percent extra material on hand for seasonal touch-ups and replenishment.
Stone Types We Deliver in Portsmouth
Mulch Mound delivers bulk stone by the cubic yard to homes and job sites throughout the area. Whether you are searching for bulk gravel by the yard in Portsmouth or simply need a dependable supplier for your next outdoor project, our ordering process is simple and our delivery is reliable. We stock stone suited to this part of Ohio, where wet winters and heavy clay soils play a big role in how landscapes are built and maintained.
Pea Gravel
Smooth and rounded with natural earth tones, pea gravel is a popular bulk stone choice for local yards. It performs well where clay soil limits drainage and works along garden pathways, beneath patio seating, and around decorative planting beds. Its neutral coloring suits the traditional home styles common throughout southern Ohio.
Complete Your Outdoor Stone Project
Pair your stone project with a layer of quality topsoil in adjacent garden beds to build up planting areas and redirect water flow away from the trouble spots your stone is addressing. Adding natural hardwood mulch to bordered planting beds next to your stone pathways or drainage areas ties the landscape together visually while addressing Portsmouth's soil and moisture challenges in every zone of your yard.
Portsmouth's freeze-thaw cycles between fall and spring can push stone out of position, particularly in pathways and along bed edges where the ground moves repeatedly through the colder months. Angular crushed stone locks together far better than smooth river rock in high-traffic or sloped areas and resettles more predictably after winter movement stops. Reserve smoother decorative stone for flat, low-traffic areas where aesthetics matter more than stability under foot.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
When installing stone over Portsmouth clay, never skip landscape fabric beneath your material. Clay has a slow but persistent tendency to absorb and swallow stone placed directly on top of it, especially in areas that see regular moisture from Portsmouth's 41 inches of annual rain. A quality non-woven landscape fabric creates a barrier that keeps your stone layer separate from the clay below and dramatically extends how long your installation stays looking clean and level.
Mulch Mound Pro Tip
In Portsmouth, stone drainage borders around downspouts and along foundation walls take a lot of abuse from concentrated roof runoff during heavy storms that move through the Ohio Valley. Using a slightly larger stone size, 1 to 1.5 inches rather than fine pea gravel, in these high-flow zones keeps material from washing away during intense rain events. Check and replenish these areas each spring after the last frost to maintain effective drainage heading into the wet summer season.
The Unique Landscape of Portsmouth
Stone is one of the most practical landscaping materials available for Portsmouth homeowners dealing with heavy clay soil and 41 inches of annual rainfall hitting the Ohio Valley every year. Clay soil shifts, erodes, and becomes slippery when wet, and ground cover solutions that work in drier regions often fail here where moisture is a constant factor. Crushed stone and gravel create stable, permeable surfaces that let rainwater drain through rather than pool on top, which is a direct solution to Portsmouth's most common yard drainage challenges. Stone also requires zero maintenance compared to mulch or sod, and it does not decompose or wash away in the heavy summer storms that move through the region. Whether you are building a pathway, protecting a foundation border, managing a slope, or creating a low-maintenance zone in a shaded area where grass refuses to grow, bulk stone is a durable and attractive solution built specifically for Portsmouth's demanding landscape conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to see the answer
Answer
What type of stone works best for backyard pathways in Portsmouth's wet climate?
For pathways in Portsmouth, crushed limestone or compacted gravel in the 3/4-inch size is the most practical choice available. It packs down firmly underfoot, drains quickly after rain, and does not shift as much as rounded pea gravel sitting on a clay base. Laying it over a 4-inch compacted base and landscape fabric helps prevent the clay underneath from slowly swallowing the stone over multiple seasons.
Answer
Will stone help with the muddy low spots that form in my Portsmouth yard after rain?
Stone is one of the best solutions for chronic muddy areas in Portsmouth yards where clay holds water at the surface. A 4 to 6 inch layer of crushed stone in consistently wet zones creates a permeable surface that supports foot traffic and allows water to drain rather than sit and collect. Pairing stone with a French drain or grading adjustment beneath it makes the fix even more permanent and effective for the long term.
Answer
How do I keep stone from sinking into Portsmouth's clay soil over time?
Portsmouth clay is known for slowly absorbing stone placed directly on top of it, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic or freeze-thaw movement through winter and spring. The best prevention is installing a layer of landscape fabric between the clay base and your stone before spreading any material. For pathways and driveways, a 4-inch compacted gravel base laid before the decorative or finish stone adds stability and slows the settling process significantly.
Answer
What stone is best for improving drainage around my home's foundation here in Portsmouth?
For foundation drainage borders in Portsmouth, washed river gravel or clean crushed stone in the 3/4 to 1.5-inch range works best for moving water away effectively. These sizes allow water to move freely down through the stone and away from your foundation rather than pooling against it through the wet season. Avoid fine or sandy materials in this application, as they tend to compact and hold moisture near the foundation, which is the opposite of what you want on Portsmouth's clay-heavy lots.
Answer
Can I use decorative stone in areas where grass never seems to grow in my Portsmouth yard?
Absolutely. Shaded areas under large trees and dry strips along fences are common problem spots in Portsmouth where turf grass simply struggles to establish and stay healthy. A 3-inch layer of decorative stone over landscape fabric in those areas gives you a clean, finished look without the ongoing frustration of trying to grow grass in unfavorable conditions. River rock and pea gravel both work well aesthetically and require nothing beyond an occasional rinse to keep looking fresh.
Answer
How much stone do I need for a typical Portsmouth driveway border or garden edge?
For a decorative border or garden edge in Portsmouth, a 3-inch deep layer of stone is a solid starting point that gives good coverage and weed suppression. Measure the length of your border and the desired width in feet, multiply those numbers together, and divide by 100 to estimate cubic yards at a 3-inch depth. Because Portsmouth clay can settle unevenly under stone through freeze-thaw cycles, ordering a little extra to replenish thin spots after the first winter is a smart move.
Answer
Does stone help control erosion on sloped areas of my Portsmouth yard?
Yes, and this is one of the best uses of bulk stone for Portsmouth homeowners with any grade change in their yard. Clay slopes become extremely slippery and erode quickly during the heavy rains that move through the Ohio Valley each year. A 4-inch layer of angular crushed stone on a slope locks into itself and slows surface water flow, reducing erosion significantly. Larger riprap or river rock is even more effective on steeper grades where water moves with greater force during intense storms.
Answer
Is there a stone yard near Portsmouth?
Fixing a muddy, slippery clay patch in Portsmouth usually means choosing between hauling crushed stone home from a stone yard yourself or having it delivered right where you need it. We are not a stone yard or a quarry, so there is nothing to visit. You order online and the stone is dropped at your spot.
