Decomposed granite & gravel landscaping in Arizona.
Rock is the most common ground surface in the Valley and the easiest one to get wrong. This guide covers the coverage math, the depths that actually work, stabilized versus loose decomposed granite, honest weed control, and the site conditions that move the price.
- AZ ROC 211530 · 347738 · 341002 · 340966
- Arizona-built since 2005
- President, Southwest Hardscapes Association
Start with the coverage math
- Cubic yards = square feet × depth in inches ÷ 324.
- Most Valley suppliers sell by the ton; a cubic yard of DG commonly weighs about 1.3–1.5 tons — confirm with your supplier.
- 1,000 sq ft at 2 inches ≈ 6.2 cubic yards ≈ 8–9 tons.
- Order a small overage for settlement and low spots rather than making a second delivery trip.
Depth and coverage by use
Depth is a design decision, not a default. Use the table below to size the material to how the area will be used.
| Use | Depth | Rough material needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground cover between plants | 2" loose | ~0.8–0.9 tons per 100 sq ft | Enough to hide soil and slow weed germination without burying drip emitters. |
| Walking path (loose DG) | 2–3" over compacted subgrade | ~0.9–1.3 tons per 100 sq ft | Loose DG migrates. Edge restraint on both sides is what keeps a path readable in year three. |
| Stabilized DG path or seating area | 2–3" with stabilizer, compacted | ~1.0–1.3 tons per 100 sq ft | Stabilizer binder is mixed into the DG and compacted. Firmer surface, far less tracking indoors. |
| Screened rock (3/8" – 3/4") field | 2" loose | ~0.8–0.9 tons per 100 sq ft | Larger rock stays put better on slopes than fine DG, but it is harder to walk on barefoot. |
| Rip-rap / drainage swale rock | 4"+ depending on flow | ~1.7+ tons per 100 sq ft | Sized to the water it carries. Get the grading right first; rock does not fix a bad slope. |
Quantities are coverage arithmetic for planning, not a quote. Actual tonnage varies with the supplier’s material weight, compaction, subgrade condition, and how much of the yard is planted. Your measured number comes from a site visit and the signed scope.
Want a number for your own property?
Tell us the space and we'll come back with a real range for your site — no pressure, no "call for pricing."
Stabilized vs. loose DG
- Loose DG: lower cost, easy to top off, migrates with traffic and monsoon flow, tracks indoors.
- Stabilized DG: binder mixed in and compacted, firmer underfoot, far better on paths and mild slopes.
- Stabilized still is not concrete — it can rut under vehicle traffic and patch repairs may show.
- Either way, edge restraint is what keeps the shape of a path readable years later.
Weed control that is honest
- Fabric separates rock from soil and helps early; it does not stop wind-blown seed germinating on top.
- Pre-emergent on a schedule is the real control, paired with spot treatment.
- Blow out leaf litter — organic matter sitting on rock becomes a seedbed.
- Fix irrigation overspray onto rock fields; wet rock grows weeds faster than dry rock.
Heat, pets, and bare feet
Rock surfaces absorb and re-radiate heat, and published desert measurements put porous rock as high as 170°F on a 120°F day. If a rock area is meant for people or pets, plan shade over it, favor lighter material, and keep the walkable route short.
What drives the price
- Square footage, material selection, and installed depth.
- Demo and haul-off of existing surface, turf, or old rock.
- Site access — truck-accessible versus wheelbarrow-only changes labor substantially.
- Linear feet of edge restraint and any grading or drainage correction.
- Stabilizer, irrigation modifications, and planting done at the same time.
How AE approaches rock and DG work
AE measures the area, checks how water currently moves across it, corrects grade before material goes down, compacts the subgrade, sets edge restraint where the design needs it, and specifies material and depth in writing. Quantities and pricing come from measured site conditions and the signed scope — not from a per-square-foot guess over the phone.
Common questions.
Planning a rock, DG, or desert landscape project?
Send your square footage and a few photos of the area and access. We will walk you through material, depth, edging, and drainage before anyone talks price.
Get my numberWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."
Plan your investment with a designer.
Five minutes, a real range, and no sales pressure. Or vet any Arizona contractor (us included) before you spend a dollar.