Per-pound costs range from 5 cents to 35 cents, and per-ton costs run $100 to $700, depending upon variety. Cost: This type of rock is sold by the pound or by the ton. They're available in a variety of colors, costs and sizes, and are used to create dry creek beds or to direct drainage through a property. River Rock The basics: River rocks are larger than pea gravel, typically 1 inch and larger in diameter. Keep a broom handy to sweep it back into place. Pea gravel can have a tendency to stray out of its area if there's no barrier to keep it in place, and even then, it can shift to cover nearby flagstone. Maintenance: Stay on top of weeding so it doesn't become a maintenance issue. Be sure you know the difference when you are choosing your gravel to avoid sticker shock upon checkout. Special considerations: There are several different types of pea gravel, and some are significantly more expensive (rainbow gravel, for example). It can stray out of place if not properly edged. Disadvantages: It can be difficult to push a lawn mower or any wheeled equipment over a gravel path, as the wheels tend to sink into the gravel. Advantages: Most kinds are fairly inexpensive and readily available. Cost: Pea gravel is sold by the bag for around $3 or by the cubic yard for $33 to $50 and up. Use pea gravel for patio areas, pathways and filling in between flat rock, like flagstone.

It typically comes in a range of tan, brown and white color mixes, but do your homework to learn the cost of each. In reality pea gravel comes in different sizes - 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch are common sizes. Pea Gravel The basics: Pea gravel is a small, rounded rock that got its name because the rocks are about the size of a pea. DG will break down into the soil after a number of years, so you may find it necessary to add to your patio or walkway to keep it looking fresh. Stay on top of weeding by hand pulling or by carefully using an organic herbicide. Maintenance: You may consider installing a contractor-grade landscape fabric underneath your decomposed granite area to discourage weeds from growing, but be aware that weed seeds can still blow in from above. You can also add a stabilizer (a water-activated binder) to the decomposed granite area, which protects the DG from the damaging effects of traffic and weather while still allowing it to be permeable.

Special considerations: It's best to apply it in thin layers, watering down and tamping each layer to create a very compact surface. It's also difficult to remove weeds when they get out of control. Disadvantages: It can track inside on the bottom of your shoes, so if you have hardwood floors, you might want to take your shoes off after walking on a DG pathway. Advantages: It's relatively inexpensive and readily available. One cubic yard (a 3-foot cube) will fill the back of a standard pickup truck. Cost: DG is sold by the bag for around $3 if you simply need to add to or fill in a small area, or by the cubic yard for $35 to $50. Decomposed granite is ideal for pathways and rustic patios, and can also be used as a topdressing around arid plants. It comes in a reddish-tan color that will fade to a lighter tan over time. Decomposed Granite The basics: Decomposed granite, or DG, is a granitic rock that has weathered to the point of breaking into very small pieces and silt-like particles.

Gravel rock