How to Landscape With Wood Chips or River Rock

River rocks and wood chips suppress weed growth and provide pathways for foot traffic in landscaping. River rocks cost more money than wood chips by volume, but last longer. Wood chips fade in color and decompose into the ground, while river rocks remain solid for a very long time. For a cool, modern and long-lasting appearance, choose river rock for your landscaping. To achieve a warmer, more traditional appearance with easy landscape alteration, choose wood chips.

Landscaping fabric (optional)
Landscaping fabric staples (optional)
Walkway edging or large rocks
Nails, 12 inch
Wood chips or river rock
Wheelbarrow
Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Design the space to be landscaped. Outline the space around plants and on walkways where you will need river rock or wood chips.
- 2
  Lay landscaping fabric in the areas to be mulched for added weed inhibition. Secure the fabric with landscaping staples about every 4 feet.
- 3
  Border any walkways with plastic edging or large rocks. Nail edging in place with 12-inch nails.
- 4
  Load river rock or wood chips into the wheelbarrow and transport to the desired area.
- 5
  Dump the river rock or wood chips in the area to be mulched. Spread the river rock or wood chips over the entire area with a flat-nosed shovel.
- 6
  Continue adding river rock until it is at least two-layers thick. Add wood chips until you have a 3 -inch-thick layer.

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