Rock Your Yard

 Natural stone is quarried and cut from the earth—each piece is unique and highly durable. Manufactured stone is man-made, more uniform, and often lighter, but typically doesn’t last as long or weather as naturally. 

 A compacted gravel base (typically 4–6 inches of 3/4 Washed or AB3) topped with about 1 inch of sand or screenings for leveling (typically 1/4 Chip or Clean Fill Sand). 

 Yes! We can drill a bubbler hole for you! Just give us a couple days notice and pick out the boulder you'd like and we will get it finished for you. 

Yes—depending on the project, you may need:

• Polymeric sand for joints
• Adhesives (like SRW products) for walls or steps
• Geotextile fabric for stability and drainage

Usually, yes—but not always by as much as people think. Natural stone often has a higher upfront cost because:

 

- It’s quarried (not manufactured)
- It takes more time and skill to install

 

Installed projects can run higher overall than pavers depending on the stone type and labor involved - Overall natural stone typically lasts longer and requires fewer replacements over time!

Absolutely. One of the best parts about natural stone is that no two pieces are the same—so you can hand-pick exactly what fits your project. In our yard we have a specific pick aisle where customers can sort through to find their perfect pieces!

For pathways (walkable areas):

- ¼” to ½” gravel (like screenings or small crushed stone) - This packs down well, it is easier to walk on. At PLC our Kansas Pea Gravel or 1/4" Chip would be great options!

 

For decorative beds:

- 1”–3” gravel or river rock, this will offer a better visual impact. Many of the decorative gravels found at PLC will be around the 1.5" size!

Natural stone performs very well in Midwest climates—when installed correctly.

- Stone and pavers are installed with joints between pieces, allowing slight movement

- This flexibility helps prevent cracking during freeze-thaw cycles

- Proper base (compacted gravel + drainage) is critical