Landscaping Ideas for the Front Yard Using River Rocks

Accent Your Flagpole

• If you have a flagpole in your front yard, create a circular area around the flagpole and trim it with river rocks of various sizes. You can use decorative rocks and gravel inside the circle to accent your flagpole and eliminate the need to mow around it. Or you can create a mini-garden inside the circle of river rocks. Either way, you will have enhanced the beauty of the flagpole and the surrounding landscape.

Protect Your Mailbox

• If you live in a rural area and have your mailbox next to the street, you may have problems with the box getting knocked down by snowplows or vandals. You can use river rocks to strengthen the base of your mailbox while also enhancing its appearance. Choose a number of large river rocks and prop them along the bottom of the mailbox post to serve as a brace. Then use a scattering of smaller stones to decorate the area around the mailbox.

Stone Walkway

• If you have a variety of flat river rocks, you can use them to create a pathway from the yard to the front and back doors of your home. Just measure the distance you want to leave between the stones, dig out a shallow area where each one will go and set the river rocks in place. If you do not have enough flat rocks to create a safe walkway, you can line both sides of an existing walkway with the rocks instead. You can also place a small solar light in the ground midway between the river rocks to create a lighted walkway for your guests.

Enclosed Flower Bed

• Use river rocks to create a natural barrier around your flower beds, helping to protect them from pests while enhancing their visual appeal. Try planting several circular flower beds and trim each one with river rocks in a contrasting shade. For instance, black river rocks make a striking trim for a bed of yellow flowers while tan river rocks look great with red or purple flowers.