Get matched with top mulch and topsoil pros in Sheldon, IA

You don’t have to spend a small fortune to make big changes to your landscape. You can achieve a lot for well under $5,000, especially if you like a DIY challenge. With a landscaping budget of $5,000, you could tackle a project like building a simple patio or deck, sprucing up your existing landscape with new plants, mulching, and tree trimming, or adding an impressive water feature. You’ll have no shortage of possibilities if you budget wisely.

A good driveway should have a solid base layer and a smooth surface layer of gravel. A base layer of larger gravel, around 1 to 2 inches, keeps the foundation stable and helps with drainage. For the top layer, smaller gravel, about 1/4 to 1/2 inches, compacts well and creates an even surface that’s easier to drive on. Using both ensures the driveway stays durable, drains properly, and doesn’t shift over time.

The best equipment for moving large rocks from your yard depends on their size and weight. A heavy-duty wheelbarrow or a rock dolly can be effective for smaller boulders. A skid-steer loader or a mini-excavator with a grapple attachment provides the necessary power and control for larger, heavier rocks that you can’t lift manually. Professionals may use a larger excavator and ratchet hoist to remove larger boulders.

A 50-pound bag of pea gravel equals approximately one-half of a cubic foot. That amount will cover a three-square-foot area to a depth of about two inches. A three-square-foot area with equal-length sides is approximately 1.73 feet by 1.73 feet, or about 20.75 inches on each side.