How to Lay Rock and Dig Out Grass

Water the soil to a 2- or 3-inch depth daily for three to four days. Moist soil is easier to dig into than dry soil.

Walk to the edge of the area where you want to lay the rock and use a can of spray chalk to draw a line on the ground designating the perimeter.

Walk to one end of the chalk line and insert a flat bladed shovel, called a spade, into the ground by 2 to 3 inches. Angle the shovel back slightly and push it forward to dig under the grass roots. Lift the grass up and place it into a wheelbarrow for disposal.

Continue removing the grass using the spade until none remains inside the perimeter.

Measure the depth of the rock that you are laying and dig out more of the soil in the area until it is the depth of the rock plus an additional 1 inch.

Unroll landscape fabric over the entire area, creating multiple rows if needed. Overlap each row by at least 3 inches and hammer landscape stakes into the ground around the perimeter every 12 inches to hold it in place.

Spread a 1-inch layer of gravel in the trench to provide a sturdy base for the rocks.

Lay the rocks on top of the gravel, spacing them at any desired distance apart. Position the rocks in the gravel and tap them with a rubber mallet to settle them in. Continue installing the rocks, arranging them like puzzle pieces until the entire area is completely covered in rock.