Professional Mulch & River Rock Landscaping

For a river rock installation, a professional-grade geotextile fabric is essential. Without it, the weight of the stones will eventually push them into the soil, leading to a muddy mess and aggressive weed growth. Our installation process includes excavating to the correct depth and laying a heavy-duty, high-permeability barrier that keeps your stone clean and your beds low-maintenance for years.

This is a common concern. While mulch itself doesn't "create" termites, improper installation, like piling mulch against your home's foundation or "volcano mulching" trees, can create moisture that pests love. Our professional crews are trained in proper tapering techniques, ensuring that your mulch protects your plants and enhances your curb appeal without creating a bridge for pests to reach your home.

To get full coverage and ensure the underlying fabric is never visible, we install river rock at a depth of 3 to 4 inches. Installing too thin leads to "bald spots" where the fabric shows through, while installing too deep can make the bed difficult to walk on or clean. Our crews ensure a perfectly level, consistent finish that provides the high-end architectural look you're after.

For the best results in Central Ohio, we recommend a consistent depth of 2 to 3 inches. This is the "sweet spot" that suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture without suffocating your plant's root systems. During our installation process, we hand-groom the material to ensure an even blanket across your entire landscape, something that is difficult to achieve with bagged products.

Slopes are tricky because gravity and heavy rain can cause smaller stones to migrate. For sloped areas in Central Ohio, we recommend using larger-diameter river rock (3-5") or "oversized" cobbles that lock together more effectively. We also use specific edging techniques to "anchor" the rock, ensuring your drainage remains functional without losing your material to the bottom of the hill.

While most homeowners think of mulch as a spring-only task, it is actually beneficial year-round. Spring mulching prepares your soil for the summer heat, but a fall refresh provides vital insulation for your plants' roots during our cold Ohio winters. Whenever you're ready for a curb-appeal boost, our crews are ready to handle the prep and installation for you.

The "best" size depends on the goal. For decorative garden borders, a 1–2 inch stone is standard and easy to maintain. For areas requiring high-volume drainage or erosion control, we often recommend larger 3–5 inch cobbles. During our consultation, we’ll show you samples and help you choose the scale that best matches the masonry and proportions of your home.

Proper tree mulching is a science. You should never have mulch touching the bark (known as "volcano mulching"), as this causes rot and disease. We create a wide, flat "donut" shape around the base of your trees. This keeps the trunk dry while ensuring the root flare can breathe, protecting your most valuable landscape assets for years to come.

One of the biggest perks of river rock is that it doesn't decompose like mulch, but it does collect debris over time. The key to easy maintenance is starting with a professional installation. By using the correct fabric and deep edging, we make it possible for you to simply use a leaf blower to clear away fall leaves and grass clippings without moving the stones.