Rock landscaping in Boise, Idaho

Rock landscaping in Boise is one of the most common requests I get from homeowners who are tired of mowing and watering grass that never looks good. They want something that looks clean all year and doesn't need much water. The trouble is that a lot of rock yards end up hot, weedy and a little sad, with gravel scattered onto the sidewalk. That isn't a problem with rock. It's a problem with how it was put in.

Rock landscaping means using loose rock, like gravel, river rock or decomposed granite, as the ground cover in beds, side yards, paths or whole sections of a yard. I plan where the rock goes, pick the type and size for each spot, prep the ground under it, set edges to hold it, and plant it so it doesn't feel like a parking lot. I do the work myself, start to finish.

Why rock makes sense here

The Treasure Valley gets hot, dry summers and a lot of wind. Water restrictions and rising water bills have a lot of people looking at turf reduction. Rock doesn't need water, doesn't need mowing and doesn't blow away like bark mulch can on a windy afternoon. On a slope or a narrow side yard where grass never did well, it's often the most practical choice.

Rock is a big part of xeriscaping, which is a way of designing a yard to need very little water. It also plays a role in desert landscaping and green landscaping, where the goal is a yard that works with our climate instead of against it.

Picking the right rock for each spot

Not all rock does the same job. Here's how I match rock to the space.

Crushed gravel

Crushed gravel has sharp, broken edges that lock together. It packs down well, so it's a good choice for paths and areas you walk on. It stays put better than round rock.

River rock

River rock is smooth and rounded. It looks great in beds and dry creek beds that carry runoff, but it rolls underfoot, so I don't use it for paths. Bigger sizes stay in place better on slopes.

Decomposed granite

Decomposed granite, often called DG, is granite broken down into small grains, almost like coarse sand. It packs into a firm surface and works well for paths and sitting areas. It can wash out on steep ground, so I keep it on flatter spots.

Cobble and larger rock

Cobble is fist-sized or bigger. I use it to line drainage paths and to add texture next to finer gravel. For big boulders and flagstone that get set one piece at a time, see my stone landscaping page.

What goes under the rock

The ground under the rock decides how well the yard holds up. Before any rock goes down, I:

• Strip out the old lawn and weeds, roots and all
• Grade the area so water drains away from the house and doesn't pool
• Dig deep enough that the finished rock sits a little below sidewalks and patios, so it doesn't spill over
• Pack the base under paths so they stay firm
• Use landscape fabric where it helps, like under gravel paths, and skip it in planting beds where it gets in the way of roots

Over time, dust and leaves settle into any rock bed, and weeds can sprout in that layer no matter what's under it. A thick enough layer of rock and a little upkeep each season keep that in check.

Edges that keep rock where it belongs

Loose rock wants to move. Kids kick it, snowplows push it and rain washes it downhill. A solid edge makes the difference between a yard that looks sharp for years and one that slowly spreads onto the lawn and the sidewalk. I use steel edging, concrete curbs or a row of set stone, depending on the look you want and what the rock sits next to.

Rock, heat and plants

Rock soaks up heat and gives it back. In a Boise July, a big stretch of bare rock against a south or west wall can make the house hotter and cook the plants next to it. I plan for that with:

• Shade trees or tall shrubs that cast shade on the hottest areas
• Plants that like heat and dry soil
• Drip irrigation to each plant, since rock doesn't hold water the way soil does
• Enough space between plants for them to reach full size

Plants are what make a rock yard look like a landscape. Without them, it's just gravel.

What changes the cost

The price of rock landscaping in Boise depends on:

• How much area you're covering and how deep the rock needs to be
• The type and size of rock
• How much lawn or old material has to come out first
• Grading and drainage work
• Edging material
• How many plants go in and whether drip irrigation is needed
• How close a truck can get to the area

Rock is heavy, so delivery and moving it by hand into a backyard can add up. I give a price after I've seen the space.

Rock landscaping across the valley

I work in Boise first, plus Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, Kuna, Garden City, Hidden Springs, Sun Valley and Ketchum. Rock work is part of my landscaping services and often goes in with new planting, paths or a smaller lawn.

If you're ready to trade thirsty grass for rock that looks planned, let's talk about it. Schedule a consultation for rock landscaping in Boise, or call me at (541) 961-7269.