Stones Used in Driveways & Ditches

Pea Gravel

• Pea gravel is recognizable for its round shape and smooth surface. It is a decorative stone that ranges from 3/8 to 1 1/4 inches. It comes in white, brown, translucent and other neutral colors. Used as a top layer over a gravel driveway or dry creek bed, pea gravel adds texture and visual interest. Due to its round shape, avoid using pea gravel as a foundation or any purpose that requires stability.

River Rocks

• River rocks are sourced from the banks of rivers or artificially smoothed by landscape manufacturers. They come in a variety of earthy colors, including red, green, gray and white, and vary in size from 1/2 to more than 4 inches. With their color and flat surface, river rocks can be embedded in concrete driveways to achieve a decorative exposed aggregate surface. In ditches where the stones are exposed, river rocks add beauty to a drainage feature and unify it with other elements in the yard.

Crushed Rocks

• Crushed rocks provide strong, stable foundations for driveways. They have irregular shapes with sharp edges that wedge together when tamped. Small rocks are typically used to provide a stable base below medium rocks in a gravel driveway. Use 3/4-inch rocks, or medium gravel, to surround underground drainpipes and support driveway pavements, including pavers and concrete slabs. Medium gravel leaves enough space to block debris while allowing water to seep through. It protects pipes from underground roots and absorbs ground tension to prevent driveway cracks.

Granite

• Decomposed granite forms as large pieces of the stone break down over time into small stones and stone dust. It comes as a loose material to be raked like gravel for a casual driveway but it can also be mixed with a stabilizer to compact into a firmer driveway surface. Resin can also be applied over loose granite to form a solid, textured surface with a more polished look.