How to Buy Landscaping Rocks in Small & Large Quantities

If you take time to create a well-maintained and beautiful landscape for your home or business, people are sure to notice. The outside of your property is as important as the inside. After all, it can be enjoyed by you, your family or your employees, and anyone who happens to be passing by your home or business. One particular item that you can add to your landscape is landscaping rocks. Depending on the size of your property and the amount of material you want, these rocks can be bought in small or large quantities.

Decide on a look for your landscaping rocks. Before you buy the rocks, you need to determine a look that's right for your property. You can find the rocks in a variety of shapes and sizes. What you choose depends on the style you want to achieve. For example, round, smooth rocks can give an elegant feel to your property, while rugged rocks of different shapes and sizes create a more natural look.

Figure out the quantity of rocks you need. Depending on how much space you want to cover, you may need a small or large quantity of rocks. Covering an entire walkway would require a large quantity, for example, while creating a quaint rock garden would only require a small amount. For a simple line of rocks, you can just measure the distance and then make sure the rocks add up to that distance. But for more difficult calculations, you can use the Landscape Depot's materials calculator, (see Resources), to help you figure out what you'll need.

Choose a place to buy your landscaping rocks. You can purchase these rocks from garden supply stores, from home improvement retailers or straight from your landscaping company. A company that's already completing your landscaping project may be able to give you more personalized service, while retail stores might offer a lower price. For projects that only need a small quantity of rocks, a store will usually get you in and out with your purchase the fastest. But for larger projects, more specialized companies will be more likely to have what you need in stock.

Decide how you plan to get the landscaping rocks home before heading out to purchase them. If you're buying a small quantity of rocks and have a pickup truck or van, transporting them won't be an issue. But if you don't have a vehicle with space or are buying a large quantity or rocks, make sure that you factor the cost of delivery into the overall cost of the project.