If you are planning a landscaping project in Florence, SC, river rock is one of the easiest materials to work with. It drains well, it does not break down like mulch, and it gives your yard a clean, finished look. L H Stokes & Son stocks both white and brown river rock in large and small sizes, so you can find the right fit for your project without hunting around town.

This guide covers what river rock is good for, how to pick between white and brown, how to lay it correctly, and how much you will need for a typical Florence yard.

What is river rock and why use it?

River rock is smooth, rounded stone that has been naturally worn down by water over time. Because the edges are rounded instead of sharp, it is comfortable to walk on and easy to handle during installation.

Homeowners and contractors around Florence use river rock for a few main reasons:

• It does not wash away or wear down the way bark mulch does.
• It drains water instead of holding it, which helps near foundations and low spots.
• It cuts down on weeds when you lay it over landscape fabric.
• It holds its color and look for years with almost no upkeep.

For a yard that fights standing water after a storm, or a flower bed that needs mulch replaced every season, river rock is a practical, lower maintenance option.

Best uses for river rock around your Florence, SC property

River rock works in more places than most people expect. Around Florence, we see it used most often for:

• Dry creek beds that channel rainwater away from the house
• Drainage areas and low spots that stay wet after rain
• Flower bed borders that keep mulch or soil from spilling onto the lawn
• Walkways and path fill between stepping stones or pavers
• Rings around trees and mailbox posts as a simple, low upkeep accent

Commercial properties and builders also use river rock for erosion control on slopes and for finishing grading work around new construction.

White river rock vs brown river rock in Florence, SC landscapes

Choosing between white and brown river rock mostly comes down to the look you want and what sits around it.

White river rock stands out against dark mulch, dark brick, or green lawns. It brightens up a bed and makes a strong border line. It also shows dirt and pollen more, so it needs an occasional rinse to stay bright.

Brown river rock blends in with natural surroundings, wood fencing, and tan or brick exteriors. It hides dust and debris better than white rock, which makes it a lower maintenance pick for high traffic areas.

Some homeowners mix the two, using white rock as a border and brown rock as the main fill, or the other way around. There is no wrong choice. It comes down to matching the house, the mulch color, and how much upkeep you want to do.

How to install river rock the right way

River rock looks simple, but a little prep work up front saves you headaches later. The basic process we recommend:

• Clear the grass, weeds, and old mulch so you are starting with bare, level ground.
• Lay landscape fabric. This is the step people skip, and it is the one that matters most. Fabric keeps weeds from growing up through the rock and keeps the rock from sinking into the soil over time.
• Add edging if needed. A metal, plastic, or stone edge keeps river rock from spreading onto the lawn or driveway.
• Spread the rock evenly and rake it to a consistent depth, usually 2 to 3 inches, so you do not have thin spots where fabric or soil shows through.
• Rinse with a hose after spreading. It knocks off dust and makes the color pop right away.

Skipping the landscape fabric is the most common mistake we see. Without it, weeds come up between the stones within a season, and the rock slowly works its way into the dirt below.

What it takes to keep river rock looking good

One of the biggest reasons homeowners switch to river rock is how little upkeep it needs compared to mulch. Even so, a little maintenance keeps it looking its best:

• Rinse off dust and pollen a few times a year, especially with white river rock.
• Pull any weeds that find a gap in the landscape fabric before they spread.
• Rake the rock back into place if heavy rain or foot traffic shifts it.
• Top off low spots every year or two rather than replacing the whole bed, the way you would with mulch.

Bark mulch breaks down and needs replacing every season. River rock does not. Buy it once and it holds up for years.

How much river rock do you need?

River rock is sold by the ton, and how much you need depends on the size of the area and how deep you want the layer. A depth of 2 to 3 inches is standard for most flower beds, borders, and drainage areas. A deeper layer, closer to 4 inches, works better for dry creek beds and spots that see a lot of water flow.

If you are not sure how to measure your space or convert that into tons, call us. We can walk you through it over the phone or take a look if you bring us the dimensions. We would rather help you order the right amount than have you make two trips.

Why Florence homeowners and contractors choose L H Stokes & Son

L H Stokes & Son has been a family owned business in Florence for over 85 years. We stock landscape materials and handle site work, so whether you need river rock for a weekend project or materials and grading for a larger job, we can help with both.

We are licensed, insured, and bonded, and we serve homeowners, landscapers, and contractors throughout Florence and the surrounding counties. You can see our full lineup of sand, gravel, mulch, topsoil, and river rock on our landscape materials page.

Get your river rock in Florence, SC today

Whether you are fixing a drainage problem, building a dry creek bed, or just want a low maintenance flower bed border, we have the white and brown river rock you need in Florence, SC.

Call L H Stokes & Son, Inc at 843-662-4701 for a free estimate, or contact us to ask about availability and pricing. We are ready to help with your next project.