How to Cover a Grass Yard With Rock

Removing Sod

• 1

  Alternatively, you can hire a local landscaping service to remove your yard's sod.

• 2

  Position the sod cutter at one end of the lawn and pull the blade engagement lever to lower the blade. Cut about 3 inches into the ground to remove sod.

• 3

  Put the sod cutter in low gear, pull the throttle and assert slight pressure on the sod cutter's handlebar.

• 4

  Push the sod cutter slowly and steadily through your yard in straight lines, cutting the sod in strips. Take it one strip at a time.

• 5

  Hold the throttle and push the blade engagement lever forward to cut the end of each sod strip and make the blade exit the ground.

• 6

  Collect the sod strips. Dispose of them or give them away to a green thumb who wishes to install a sod lawn.

Preparing for Rock

• 7

  Spray the exposed dirt of your yard thoroughly with a garden sprayer of weed or grass killer. Wear eye protection and a mask to protect yourself from harmful fumes.

• 8

  Allow the exposed dirt to dry completely.

• 9

  Measure the length, width and depth of your yard with a measuring tape.

• 10

  Cut lengths of weed-barrier mesh with a utility knife based on your measurements.

• 11

  Lay the weed-barrier mesh over the surface of your yard. Trim as necessary.

Installing Rock

• 12

  Spread a 1/4-inch layer of rock aggregate over the exposed dirt and weed mesh using a wheelbarrow and flat-blade spade.

• 13

  Spread a 1/8-inch layer of sand over the rock aggregate. Compact the sand with your shovel as you go.

• 14

  Spread a layer of landscaping rocks evenly over the aggregate and sand, making a layer from 1 to 3 inches thick. Completely fill in the few inches of sod you removed with landscaping rock.