The rock borders that finish your landscaping can look great, but they can also take quite a bit away from your yard if you don't give them the attention that they may require. Heavy storms, harsh winters, and shifting soil can cause them to look awful and need a bit of touching up. Here, you will learn how to keep the rock border in your yard looking its best for years to come.
Choose a Work Day
Wait for a day in which the ground isn't completely saturated with water. You want the soil under the rocks to be soft, but you don't want it to be a complete mess.
Lift the Rocks
You don't want to just pull all of the rocks up and toss them in a pile while you work—this would cause you a great deal more work as you would have to go through them and select the best fit from rock to rock.
Just give the rocks a flip. Grab each stone and flip it so that it is just outside the work area but right in the space in which you will be repositioning it.
Note: If you are working on a tight schedule and only have an hour here and there to get the work done, work in small sections. Don't lift all of the rocks at once—do a few feet at a time if you need to.
Level the Soil
After the rocks are moved, you'll be able to get a clear view of how uneven the soil underneath them has become. Put on a pair of gloves and level out the soil. If the soil is hard, use a small hand-rake or trowel to break it loose so it can be leveled out.
Replace the Rocks
Once you have leveled out the soil, it's time to get to work replacing the rocks. Leave about an inch between the rock and where the grass grows. This will give you a clean border and make trimming a little easier for you.
After you position a rock, use the back of your hand-rake to tap the rock so that it is securely in the soil. Scoop small amounts of soil under the rock if you need to change the position of it and level it out.
If you don't feel that you have the time or ability to complete this project on your own, talk with your local landscaping service, such as Nature's Design Landscaping, for assistance.