Did you know that pea gravel and river rock are popular for homeowners due to their natural look and durability?
This article will break down the key differences between these two types of stone, helping you decide which best fits your outdoor space.
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Comparing Pea Gravel and River Rocks
Let’s delve into how each stone satisfies different landscaping needs, from aesthetic appeal to practicality in gardens.
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Size and appearance
When considering the landscaping options for your home, understanding the size and appearance of pea gravel and river rock is crucial. Let’s break down these aspects in the following table.
| Material | Size | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Pea Gravel | Small, usually 1/4" to 1/2" | Smooth, rounded edges, comes in various colors |
| River Rock | Larger, can range from 3/4" to 2" | More natural and varied shapes, typically in neutral colors |
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Uses and benefits
Pea gravel offers an affordable landscaping option . Its small, rounded stones work perfectly as mulch alternatives in garden beds or potted plants, helping to retain moisture and deter weeds.
Pea gravel also provides excellent drainage solutions when used in the base of a flowerbed or around your home’s foundation. Landscaping with gravel like this also means less maintenance than traditional grassy lawns because it doesn’t require mowing or watering.
River rock adds a natural stone element to landscape design, coming in a variety of sizes and colors that can enhance outdoor décor. These larger stones are ideal patio stones or walkway materials due to their durability and resistance to weather conditions.
They give yards a polished look while creating functional spaces for entertaining guests. For those looking at yard renovations, river rocks serve as decorative aggregates and robust barriers against soil erosion in your garden’s most vulnerable spots.
Each type of stone brings its unique benefits, so considering what projects they’re good for is crucial before making your pick.
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Accessibility in Ohio
Across Ohio, homeowners can easily access various landscaping rocks, including pea gravel and river rock. Many garden centers, home improvement stores, and landscaping supply companies regularly stock these popular items.
In urban areas like Columbus, Cincinnati, or Cleveland, as well as smaller towns throughout the state, you’re likely to find suppliers who offer bulk quantities for larger projects or bagged options for smaller enhancements around your home.
Here at Farrell’s Lawn and Garden Center, we work with many companies that sell pea gravel and river rock. And here’s a tip: we can get them at better prices because we buy a lot more!
How to Choose Between Pea Gravel and River Rocks in Landscaping
When deciding between pea gravel and river rocks for your Ohio landscaping, consider both the aesthetic outcome you desire and the functional needs of your project. Your choice will largely hinge on the specific characteristics of each stone type, which can dramatically impact your outdoor space’s overall look and performance.
What projects they're good for
Pea gravel and river rock offer versatile options for landscaping projects. Each type of stone brings unique benefits to your outdoor décor.
- Pathways and Walkways: Pea gravel works well with its small, rounded stones for creating smooth, stable walking paths. River rock, with larger, varied sizes, adds a rustic charm to garden walkways.
- Patio Base: Homeowners use pea gravel and river rock as base materials under patio stones. Their ability to provide drainage while maintaining stability makes them ideal choices.
- Mulch Alternative: In flower beds or around trees, decorative gravel like pea gravel is a low-maintenance mulch alternative. It helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds without decomposing.
- Drainage Solutions: Use river rocks in areas needing improved drainage. They're excellent for lining ditches or creating attractive dry creek beds that channel water away from home foundations.
- Garden Accents: River rocks are striking garden accents due to their larger size and color variety. They stand out among greenery and other natural stone elements in landscape design.
Examples of best-use cases
- Pea gravel shines as a walkway material due to its smooth texture and comfort underfoot. It's ideal for creating inviting paths through your garden or to your front door.
- River rock stands out as an excellent choice for drainage solutions. Their larger size allows water to flow through easily, making them perfect for lining a French drain.
- For a patio area, pea gravel provides a stable yet permeable base. It compacts well while still allowing rainwater to seep through, preventing puddles.
- In flower beds and around trees, river rocks act as mulch alternatives. They suppress weeds, retain moisture, and add a polished look without the need for replacement each season.
- If you aim for affordable landscaping options with high visual impact, spreading pea gravel across large areas can cover the ground elegantly without breaking the bank.
- Use river rocks along the edges of streams or ponds to create natural-looking borders. Their varied shapes and colors blend beautifully with water features.
- For outdoor décor that doubles as functional spaces, consider setting large flat river rocks as stepping stones within your lawn or garden for easy navigation and aesthetic appeal.
Tips for purchasing and maintaining
- Choose local suppliers that specialize in landscaping materials to ensure you get quality pea gravel and river rock.
- Always ask suppliers about the origin of their stones, as locally sourced material usually costs less and supports community businesses.
- Calculate the exact volume needed by measuring your project area; buying too much or too little can lead to unexpected expenses or delays.
- Consider bulk purchases if you have a large area to cover, which can be more cost-effective than buying individual bags.
- Opt for delivery services offered by suppliers, especially for heavy loads, to save on transportation hassle and potential vehicle damage.
- Before laying down stones, install a weed barrier underneath to minimize maintenance and keep your landscape design clean.
- Rake pea gravel and river rocks periodically to maintain even coverage and tidy appearance, which also prevents weed growth through displacement.
- Refresh the top layer of stone every few years as natural settling occurs or as stones get displaced from foot traffic or cleaning activities.
- Protect areas with landscaping rocks from heavy machinery or vehicles that could sink into or scatter the stones.
- After heavy rainfall or snowfall in, check drainage pathways to ensure decorative gravel hasn't shifted and blocked drainage solutions.
Cost Of Pea Gravel And River Rock
When deciding between pea gravel and river rocks for your landscaping, consider both the aesthetic outcome you desire and the functional needs of your project. Your choice will largely hinge on the specific characteristics of each stone type, which can dramatically impact your outdoor space’s overall look and performance.
Pea Gravel Project
| Project | Project Size | Cubic Yards | Pea Gravel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkway | 2 inches depth, 4 x 35 feet | 1 | $46 |
| Driveway | 6 inches depth, 24 x 20 feet | 9 | $414 |
| Playground | 4 inches depth, 25 x 15 feet | 5 | $230 |
| Patio | 6 inches depth, 10 x 10 feet | 2 | $92 |
| Landscape bed | 3 inches depth, 4 x 8 feet | 0.5 | $23 |
River Rocks Pricing
| Tons/cubic yards of river rocks | Average cost range per ton | Average cost range per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60 – $170 | $45 – $140 |
| 2 | $120 – $340 | $90 – $280 |
| 3 | $180 – $510 | $135 – $420 |
| 4 | $240 – $680 | $180 – $560 |
Note: These are mere estimates, and the real cost might be higher or lower depending on the season, demand, and supplier. We’ll let you know exactly what the cost of the pea gravel or river rock is once you request a quote.
Conclusion
Whether you’re revamping your backyard or crafting a peaceful garden path, pea gravel and river rock offer distinct touches to your landscaping. Choose pea gravel for a uniform look and gentle texture underfoot, ideal for patios and play areas.
Opt for the varied sizes of river rocks to create striking natural borders or enhance drainage solutions. Match your project’s style with the right stone, ensuring a landscape that stands out in beauty and function.
If you want to start a landscaping project and are thinking about using pea gravel or river rock, we can help! Here at Farrell’s Lawn and Garden Center, we’ve been helping homeowners in OH for decades and are more than happy to help you!