How to Landscape Rock in Phoenix

Landscaping rock in Phoenix

Phoenix's rugged landscape and dramatic mountain views provide great sources of inspiration for gardeners. By using rock within the landscape, you can emulate your surroundings to blend your backyard seamlessly with the rest of the terrain. There are several different types of rocks that you can use in your landscape: boulders and smaller decorative rock. You can use both types to reduce the amount of watering and maintenance in the yard. Mix Phoenix's breathtaking topography with your creativity for producing a striking yard.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper
• Tape measure
• Stakes
• String
• Herbicide
• Post emergent herbicide
• Succulents

Instructions

1. Draw a diagram of your backyard. According to the University of Texas, a base plan for landscape planning should include existing objects like driveways, shrubbery, trees, swimming pools and pathways. Measure the backyard and make your plan to scale so that you can see how large of a boulder or boulders you want to use or how much decorative rock to buy.

2. Decide what types of stone you want to use. Large boulders provide dramatic focal points and decorative rock can be used instead of ground cover or to create pathways, driveways and outdoor entertainment areas.

3. Choose a color of stone that complements either the house's exterior wall color or color scheme of the backyard. Much of the natural stone in Arizona is of reddish color. In addition, many Phoenix homes are in the architecture design of ranch style, Mediterranean or adobe-style homes. These three popular architectural styles incorporate reddish design elements like terra cotta roofs. You can reinforce the design of your home by using reddish or dark brown stones in the landscaping.

4. Indicate on your diagram where you would like to place your rock or rocks. For boulders, place stakes in the area where you wish to place the border. Drive the stakes into the ground where the perimeter of the boulder would be. If you are using decorative rocks, place stakes along the pathway or proposed area where the stones will go. Stand back to get an idea of how the stones will look.

5. Clear the areas where you will use the stones with herbicide to reduce the amount of weeds that can spring up between or around your rock. Dig up any grass that is in the area and spray a post-emergent herbicide to prevent grass seeds from germinating. Order your rock or rocks and lay them in their designated areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant small succulents around large stones to incorporate native plants in with the rock landscaping.

• Plan exactly where you want your large boulder to be delivered because it takes several people to move one.

References

• RocknRollinRock: Landscaping Ideas
• The Landscaping Design Site: Properly Using Landscaping Rocks
• The University of Texas: Base Plan