How to Landscape With Rocks & Retaining Blocks

Border a flowerbed or garden with medium- to large-sized river rocks to define the edges, prevent soil and rock runoff, and protect plants from foot and lawn-mower traffic.

Mulch around flowers and house foundations with small rocks, pebbles or gravel. Rocks are effective as a barrier against weeds and also help to improve drainage around foundations.

Create a rock pathway through your garden. The pathway can be covered pebbles, or use flagstones as stepping stones.

Place a large boulder in the garden as a focal point around which you plant flowers and shrubs; this makes a peaceful reading spot for your landscape. You could also create an Asian-inspired rock garden in the landscape.

Dig out a dry creek bed and line it with rocks to improve drainage in the landscape. Start by lining the bed with large rocks and fill in the gaps with smaller rocks.

Paint large flagstones with pictures or words to use as plant markers in your garden or flower beds. Use acrylic enamel paint, and seal with polyurethane clear-coat spray to protect the paint from the elements.

Build a raised flower bed with retaining block walls as the borders for each tier. Build one large, round retaining wall as the base tier, fill it in with soil and then build smaller tiers on top of the base layer.

Build a retaining wall off one side of a patio to prevent soil erosion if there is a hill beside the patio. A retaining wall can be built simply for privacy, even if there isn't a hill to retain.

Break up the steep height of embankments with a multi-tiered retaining wall with different levels that can be used to plant flowerbeds. Build the bottom wall up about 4 feet, level the hill back about 10 feet, build another 4-foot retaining wall on the level spot, and then level the top again; repeat this procedure to the desired height. This is the ideal solution if your house or driveway is butted against a steep hill and erosion is a major problem.

Fence in your property line with a 4-foot-tall retaining block wall that looks appealing and keeps unwanted guests out.

Install a fire pit with natural stone retaining blocks on your patio or in your yard. Fires can be enjoyed year-round without having to worry about it getting out of control.