One of my very favorite projects from our little patio makeover was this river rock border that we added to the planter behind the patio. This little planter has grown and evolved over the years. It started out as grass all the way around the patio until our pup kind of destroyed it. He ran back and forth so much on it that there was nothing but dirt left.
If you remember a few years back at this same time, our neighbors put in windows on the side of their house, so we built a little privacy lattice (40 ft is little, right?) to grow vines. I planted Honeysuckle vines in the middle and an Akebia vine on either side. It was the perfect solution in this small space since trees weren't an option and I love all of the green it adds to the patio.
My hubby was so hard at work cutting out the planters that I was barely able to snap pictures with my phone so apologize for the poor picture quality of these progress shots. Anyhow, this is what we started with. The border of this planter was driving me nuts. It was constantly looking messy and I could never keep the mulch in it no matter how hard I tried.
The hunky hubbs cut out a nice deep border all the way around the planter carefully with a shovel.
Then we just filled it in with a couple of staggered rows of river rock.
Funny story- We went down to Home Depot and looked at all of the brick and paver options, but I just wanted something a little more natural and interesting. When I told my hubby what I wanted, I didn't know where we were going to get it and how much it would cost. He was really quiet and said he would be right back. About a half an hour later he pulled in with all of this rock in the back of his pickup. He loves me. He went to an area out in the country where we go target shooting and loaded up the back of his truck with rock on the side of the road.... for free too! What a guy!
I love it so much that we are going to outline a couple of other planters in our yard with rock now too. What do you think? Do you like river rock, or would you rather have something straighter like brick or pavers?
You can check out the full patio makeover HERE along with a tour of 9 other inspiring patio makeovers!
Elvira
Looks great I love it! I'm curious, how have you found it, do weeds or grass grow through? We have lots and lots of big rocks on our acreage. Not sure if they would look as good as yours though. Mine are varying colours.
Kristen Whitby
I haven't had any issues with weeds, but I never had a lot in this area before either. I bet the different colors would be really pretty 🙂
Michele @ The Joyful Home
I love this rock and the fact that it was free 🙂 What a good hubby you have!
Jeanne
I love the river rock! I'm going to try it with my borders where I have the same 'floating mulch' issue that you had! I really like the natural, light color of the rocks-
Shawnna
hey girl this looks so cool! Love it!
Meg | Hello Farmhouse
Your river rock border looks amazing! We have been struggling with garden edging ideas, but I really love this one. And how sweet of your husband to surprise you with a whole truckload!