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Yes, and in many cases, you should. Large gravel works best as a base layer because it improves drainage and keeps the surface stable. A top layer of smaller gravel fills in gaps and creates a smoother, more compacted surface. This combination is common in driveways and high-traffic areas where both stability and comfort matter.

You should exercise care when deciding how to landscape over a leach field for your septic system. You typically want lightweight materials that won’t damage the drain field’s perforated pipes. When adding plants to the area, select plants with shallow roots, such as grass or flower gardens. Trees with deep roots could damage the pipes in the field.

The best size river rock for your landscaping project depends on how you plan to use the stones. Generally, most river rocks used in landscaping are between 1/2 and 8 inches in diameter. For walkways and pathways, smaller rocks between 1 and 3 inches are suitable. For water features, medium-sized stones from 2 to 5 inches often work best. Garden beds can benefit from a mix of medium and large stones, ranging from 3 to 8 inches. These sizes can cover applications like decorative flower beds and drainage areas around foundations or retaining walls. For added visual interest, landscapers sometimes intersperse smaller river rocks with large boulders.

A base layer is typically required when installing artificial grass, and the specific materials depend on the surface where the turf is being placed.

If you are installing artificial grass over soil, you should lay down a sub-base and a weed barrier.

• Weed Barrier: A fabric weed barrier, weed membrane, or geo-textile paper is essential to prevent weeds from growing through and damaging the turf.

• Sub-base: This layer provides drainage, support, and prevents the turf from sinking. Common materials include a mixture of gravel and sand, such as crushed miscellaneous base (CMB), decomposed granite, decomposed limestone, or a specifically mixed road base. Other options include silica sand and granite sand.

If you are placing turf over a hard surface like concrete, you can often skip the sub-base and use a padded underlayment or shock-absorbent material like astro-cushion for comfort and safety.

If you are unsure which materials are best for your specific project, it's a good idea to consult with an artificial turf installer.