Retaining Walls, Pavers, and Decorative Rock: How Hardscape Materials Work Together

A beautiful outdoor space isn't created entirely with plants and grass. Some of the most functional and visually interesting landscape designs combine living plants with hardscape materials.

Hardscaping refers to the non-living elements of an outdoor space, including pathways, patios, retaining walls, stone features, and other constructed surfaces.

When selected thoughtfully, these materials can help define outdoor areas and create structure within a landscape.

Pavers Create Defined Outdoor Spaces

Pavers are commonly used for patios, walkways, and other outdoor surfaces.

They are available in different shapes, textures, patterns, and colors, making it possible to create a look that complements the surrounding property.

The installation base and proper preparation are important. Pavers need an appropriately designed and compacted foundation to help maintain a stable surface.

Retaining Walls Help Manage Changes in Elevation

Sloped properties can present challenges when planning outdoor areas.

Retaining walls are structures designed to hold back soil and help manage changes in ground elevation.

They can also create defined planting beds, separate landscape areas, and provide a more organized appearance.

Proper design, drainage, and installation are particularly important for retaining walls because soil and water can create substantial pressure.

Decorative Rock Adds Texture and Contrast

Decorative rock can provide a distinctive finishing element.

Different varieties create different visual effects:

• River rock offers a rounded, natural appearance.
• Lava rock provides a distinctive texture and color.
• Crushed rock creates a more angular appearance.
• Pebbles and cobbles can add detail to ornamental garden areas.

Rock selection should take into account size, color, intended use, and drainage requirements.

Why Material Coordination Matters

The most successful outdoor designs often use materials that complement one another.

For example, a paver patio might be bordered with decorative rock, while a retaining wall creates a transition between the patio and a planted area.

Using complementary colors and textures can help the entire space feel connected rather than assembled from unrelated materials.

Plan the Project Before Selecting Materials

Before beginning a hardscape project, consider the property's slope, drainage, intended traffic, dimensions, and the weight the finished structure must support.

Some projects may require professional design or installation, particularly when retaining walls, significant elevation changes, or structural considerations are involved.

Dixon Landscape Materials carries pavers, retaining wall materials, flagstone, decorative rock, cobbles, aggregates, and other products for outdoor projects.

Understanding how these materials work together can help homeowners and contractors create outdoor spaces that are both attractive and practical.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Not All Bark Is the Same: Choosing the Right Bark for Your Landscape

Walk through a landscaped property and you'll probably notice that bark and mulch are used in many different ways. Some landscape beds have a fine, uniform appearance, while others feature larger pieces, rich colors, or a more natural woodland look.

The difference often comes down to the type of bark selected.

Bark isn't simply a decorative finishing touch. Its size, texture, and composition can influence how it looks and how it performs in a landscape.

Small Bark for a More Refined Appearance

Smaller bark pieces can create a relatively uniform appearance in landscape beds.

This type of material works particularly well around shrubs and trees when a homeowner wants a finished, tidy look.

Smaller pieces can also fit more easily into tighter spaces between plants.

Medium Bark for Traditional Landscape Beds

Medium bark offers a slightly larger texture while maintaining a natural appearance.

It's a popular option for general landscaping around bushes and trees, particularly when the goal is to cover exposed soil and create visual consistency.

Mini Fir Bark for a Fine Texture

Mini fir bark consists of smaller pieces, generally less than half an inch.

Its finer appearance makes it an option for customers who prefer a more delicate texture in their landscape beds.

Walk-On Bark for Garden Paths

Walk-on bark is different because its pieces vary in shape and size and are intended to compact sufficiently for walking areas.

It can create a natural-looking garden pathway that blends into the surrounding landscape.

Shredded Redwood Bark for a Distinctive Look

Often called Gorilla Hair, shredded redwood bark has a stringy, fibrous texture.

Its appearance is quite different from traditional bark pieces and is frequently used in garden areas and commercial landscaping.

Colored Mulch for Added Contrast

Brown, black, and red colored mulches can add a distinct visual element to landscape beds.

These colored products are recycled wood products that have been dyed.

They can help create contrast between planting areas, foliage, and surrounding hardscape features.

Choosing the Right Material

When selecting bark, consider the appearance you want, the location where it will be installed, the surrounding plants, and whether the area will be decorative or used as a walking surface.

Dixon Landscape Materials carries multiple bark and mulch options, including small bark, medium bark, mini fir bark, walk-on bark, shredded redwood, playground chips, and colored mulch.

Because natural products vary in color and texture, seeing the material in person can be particularly helpful before making a selection.

The right bark can make a noticeable difference in the finished appearance of a landscape project.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Gardens On The Side | GARDEN | Great Home Ideas

With land in urban areas becoming scarcer, it’s important to make the most of what you’ve got. So Charlie transforms a dull and unloved side passage into a green and beautiful side oasis.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

How to Calculate How Much Landscaping Material Your Project Needs

One of the most common challenges when planning a landscaping project is determining how much material to purchase.

Ordering too little can delay a project, while ordering too much can increase costs and leave you with unused material.

Fortunately, a few simple measurements can help you estimate your needs.

Step 1: Measure the Area

For a rectangular area, multiply the length by the width to determine the square footage.

For example, an area measuring 20 feet long by 10 feet wide is 200 square feet.

For irregularly shaped areas, divide the space into smaller sections, calculate each section separately, and add the results together.

Step 2: Determine the Desired Depth

Materials such as bark, mulch, and gravel are typically estimated by both area and depth.

Convert the desired depth from inches into feet by dividing the number of inches by 12.

Step 3: Calculate Cubic Feet

Multiply the square footage by the depth in feet.

For example, covering 200 square feet at a depth of 3 inches requires:

200 × 0.25 = 50 cubic feet.

Step 4: Convert to Cubic Yards

There are 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard.

Divide the cubic footage by 27 to estimate the quantity in cubic yards.

In this example, 50 cubic feet is approximately 1.85 cubic yards.

Remember That Material Matters

Different products settle, compact, and spread differently. Project conditions and installation requirements can affect the final quantity needed.

Dixon Landscape Materials provides a variety of landscape products, along with a coverage chart to help customers plan their material needs.

Taking accurate measurements before purchasing supplies can make your landscaping project easier to organize and help you avoid unnecessary delays.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Choosing the Right Landscaping Materials for Your Outdoor Project

Planning a landscaping project can be exciting, but selecting the right materials is an important part of getting the results you want.

Different materials serve different purposes, and understanding their characteristics can help you make better decisions before starting your project.

Bark and Mulch

Bark and mulch are commonly used around plants, trees, and garden beds. They help create a finished appearance and can reduce moisture loss from the soil while helping suppress weed growth.

Decorative Rock

Decorative rock offers a durable landscaping option for pathways, borders, garden beds, and other outdoor features. Different colors, sizes, and textures can create very different visual effects.

Topsoil

Quality topsoil provides a growing medium for lawns, gardens, and planting projects. Soil composition matters because plants need appropriate conditions for healthy root development.

Sand and Gravel

Sand and gravel are used in many landscaping and construction applications. Their appropriate use depends on factors such as drainage, compaction, project design, and intended application.

Flagstone and Hardscape Materials

Flagstone and other hardscape materials can help create patios, walkways, borders, and functional outdoor spaces.

Dixon Landscape Materials offers a variety of landscaping supplies, including bark, flagstone, sand and gravel, decorative rock, topsoil, sod, and hardscape materials.

Choosing materials based on your project's purpose, appearance, and site conditions can help create an outdoor space that is both attractive and functional.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

New Construction Garden Install TimeLapse - Start to Finish!

The progress of this garden installation was filmed from beginning to end, and compiled into this Timelapse video. Be sure to stick around to the end of the video to see the garden at different stages of growth. Please subscribe to my channel to see the next project! 

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website

Huge Stone trough to unique water feature

This week after the huge stone trough was delivered and lowered into place in the small town garden we start work levelling, cleaning , filling and repairing ready to paint on the pond sealer , three coats and then let dry for three days before washing and adding water.

707-678-8200

Dixon Landscape Materials

150 East H Street

Dixon CA 95620

Website