[Domenick]

Can anyone give me an idea how much it cost to have someone put stone in the flower beds of the average landscaping. And any recommendations.

[EdFNJ]

I had that done about a year ago and deeply regret it. Your "average area" is likely different then many others but I had other things done with it so I can't guess. I regret it because I have 5x as many weeds growing as anyone I have seen with chips or mulch or anything else but stones. YES, landscaping material was placed under it. If you want my stones feel free to come and scoop 'em up! I hate them.

[Topspinmo]

Call and get free estimates for what you want done.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

I had that done about a year ago and deeply regret it. Your "average area" is likely different then many others but I had other things done with it so I can't guess. I regret it because I have 5x as many weeds growing as anyone I have seen with chips or mulch or anything else but stones. YES, landscaping material was placed under it. If you want my stones feel free to come and scoop 'em up! I hate them.

IMO never put wood ( chips or mulch) it floats off when rains and IMO attracts insects. It will also rot over time and turn uglier than it already is IMO of course.

I’d you got That much weeds In You’re Newly laid rock they didn’t lay the barrier correctly or when cheap with barrier that lets weed pop up through. Now if it been down for years dirt has settled in the rock enough to let weeds get grip on top of the barrier.

[Stu from NYC]

We have had stones in our flowerbeds and they look great with weeds a rare occurrence.. My guess is the barrier was either not put down or put down poorly.

[Toymeister]

This may help you.

We are putting in our own rocks and landscape fabric. Per a guy down the street who was spreading stones the typical designer uses 2 - 3 tons of stone.

Stone prices vary from 90.00 a ton to over 200.00. Delivery was 75.00 or so. We picked it up ourselves. The first two tons I spread using five gallon buckets. Half a ton a day is very doable. Then I brought my wheelbarrow from up north. Much easier but it is going on thicker. Two more tons to go. Rocks on every side and the birdcage.

Get the stone from Russo's Dirt Cheap.

[villagetinker]

Just a side note, I had to get ARC approval for the change from mulch to stone, I called first and they told be this had to be reviewed. As for the weeds, I tend to agree, I know there is a very good weed barrier, but we get weeds any way. The other landscaping is wood mulch, and very few weeds, and very little movement in high rains.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO never put wood ( chips or mulch) it floats off when rains and IMO attracts insects. It will also rot over time and turn uglier than it already is IMO of course.

I’d you got That much weeds In You’re Newly laid rock they didn’t lay the barrier correctly or when cheap with barrier that lets weed pop up through. Now if it been down for years dirt has settled in the rock enough to let weeds get grip on top of the barrier.

Lots of the weeds are between the rocks and the barrier and not into the dirt. It's been almost 2 years. I'd never do it again because every neighbor around me is using something other than stone with hardly any of "stuff" growing in it. YMMV

[vintageogauge]

Use Preem on top of the stones for weeds, it works very well. We got a quote on our Patio Villa of $2,200 to remove the existing pine needle mulch, edge with metal, and fill in with stones for $2,200.00 if that helps.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Use Preem on top of the stones for weeds, it works very well. We got a quote on our Patio Villa of $2,200 to remove the existing pine needle mulch, edge with metal, and fill in with stones for $2,200.00 if that helps.

"Health issues aside" is Preen better then Roundup? Roundup kills 'em but they still are there, just brown and dead instead of green(ish) and growing.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

"Health issues aside" is Preen better then Roundup? Roundup kills 'em but they still are there, just brown and dead instead of green(ish) and growing.

Preem is a pre-emergent weed killer. It forms a film and as soon as they sprout they die off. Been using in for years.

[collector0915]

I own a Patio Villa and replaced my mulch with stones about 3 years ago. As I recall, the cost was about $2K. I could not be happier with the results. Not only does it look great but I have had no weeds appear anywhere. Plus, I have not had the recurring cost of replacing the mulch each year. I would definitely do it again.

[lcarlson]

What color are your stones ?

[J1ceasar]

I'd rather pay $$$ to get the weeds picked monthly

[Jazzcat]

We had sea shells when we landscaped 3 years ago. Cost was built into the entire landscape project but I remember that it was less than if we chose stone, and I like it because it’s different!