How to Build a Flower Bed Out of Creek Rocks

Creek rocks lend a natural feel to the bed.

Define the flower bed in borders created from creek rocks. Found in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors, creek rocks help to create a natural look to the flower bed. For a balanced design, choose a variety of rocks in varying shades and shapes. Have fun coming up with a design that suits the landscape, scanning books, magazines or current landscaping projects for inspiration.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Tamper
• Landscape edging
• Mallet
• Landscape cloth

Instructions

1. Sketch out a rough draft of the flower bed that details the placement of the creek rocks. Scale the creek rocks to the flower bed to make sure the design is balanced.

2. Draw into the design essential features like utility lines and a drainage ditch so as to not damage them when creating the flower bed.

3. Remove and discard all debris from the planting site, including small rocks, sticks and weeds that aren't part of the design. Rake out the space and tamp down the soil to create a compacted planting site.

4. Install landscape edging between the bed and where the creek rocks are to be placed, as this ensures the rocks don't budge from the flower bed. Dig a trench into the soil for the landscape edging material and secure the edging into place with a rubber mallet.

5. Lay landscape cloth over the space where the creek rocks are to be placed. Do not place the cloth over places where you plan to grow the flowers.

6. Place the creek rocks over the landscape cloth, setting the largest or heaviest on the bottom of the bed. Arrange the rocks around until you have the desired placement around the bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Design the plan in advance to prevent unnecessary changes building the flower bed.

• Rent a loader to help situate extra-large rocks.

References

• Backyard Landscaping Ideas: Landscaping With Rocks