Where does pea gravel work around a Grayson County home?
Pea gravel works best on flat ground where people walk, kids play or rain needs a quick way out. Think garden paths, play areas, dog runs and the strip beside a foundation. Each stone is rounded, so the surface is easy on knees and paws, and water drops straight through it instead of sitting on top.
Flat ground, solid edging and the right depth. Get those three right and pea gravel stays where you spread it.
- Garden walkwaysTwo to three inches over packed soil gives a path that crunches underfoot and rakes smooth again after a spring downpour.
- Backyard play areasUnder swings and climbers, loose pea gravel cushions a fall when it is laid deep enough. The depth figures are further down this page.
- Dog runsRain and urine drain through instead of pooling on the surface, the stone hoses clean, and there are no sharp edges for paws.
- Downspouts and drip linesA band of pea gravel where roof water lands stops the splash from cutting a trench in bare clay right beside the slab.
Pea gravel, decomposed granite or river rock: which surface suits your yard?
Pea gravel suits a loose surface that drains instantly and stays soft to walk and play on. Decomposed granite packs into a firmer floor that a wheelbarrow or stroller rolls across without sinking. River rock is bigger and heavier, so it covers beds and storm channels far better than it serves as somewhere to walk.
| Material | Stone shape and size | Underfoot | Drainage | Typical project |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pea gravel | Rounded, about 3/8 inch | Loose; shifts and crunches | Fast: water runs straight through | Walkways, play areas, dog runs |
| Decomposed granite | Granite chips mixed with fine grit | Firm once dampened and rolled | Slower: sheds much of the surface water | Patios, firm garden paths, xeriscape |
| River rock | Smooth, rounded, larger size ranges | Uneven to walk across | Fast | Beds, dry creek beds, splash areas |
| 57 rock | Crushed and angular, about 1 inch down | Locks tighter than round stone | Fast | French drains, driveway top course |
If a path has to carry a wheelbarrow every week, look at decomposed granite for firm paths and patios. For a channel that carries roof runoff across the yard, larger river rock for beds and dry creeks holds its place better than pea gravel.
Why does pea gravel shift underfoot, and how do you keep it in place?
Pea gravel shifts because round stones have no flat faces to lock against each other, so every step rolls them a little. Edging, a firm bed and a sensible depth keep it in place. Past about 3 inches on a walkway, each step sinks in and the path starts to feel like loose sand.
Grayson County's heavy clay adds a local twist. It swells when it is wet and shrinks and cracks as it dries through a hot North Texas summer, so gravel laid straight onto soft clay slowly presses down into it. A packed, even bed underneath keeps the stone on top.
- Light path
- Busy walkway
- Play area (CPSC)
Bars run from 2 inches for a light path to 3 inches for a busy walkway and 9 inches under play equipment.
- Edge it on every sideSteel, stone or timber edging set slightly above the gravel line stops stones drifting into the lawn, where the mower throws them.
- Start on packed groundStrip the grass and tamp the soil; landscape fabric on top slows weeds. Under a busy path, a thin layer of crushed base keeps the stone up when the clay goes soft after rain.
- Keep it levelOn anything more than a gentle grade, pea gravel walks downhill over a season. Steps, terraces or a material that packs suit a sloped path better.
How does ordering pea gravel from HARDROCK work?
Ordering pea gravel from HARDROCK Sand and Gravel takes one phone call or the form on this page. HARDROCK checks the quantity with you, gives the price and a delivery day over the phone, then drops the load where you point. Lines open at 6 AM Monday through Thursday.
- The delivery address in Sherman, Denison or elsewhere in Grayson County
- Length and width of each area, in feet
- The depth you want, in inches
- The spot on the property where the pile should land
- Anything to keep the truck off, such as a septic field or soft lawn
Pea gravel is one of eight bulk materials on HARDROCK's delivery list for Sherman and Grayson County, so sand or base for the same project can be priced on the same call.
- Call or send the formPhone 903-420-0330 or use the form with the address and what the pea gravel is for.
- Check the amountHARDROCK runs length × width × depth ÷ 27 with you so the order is not short.
- Price and a dayThe price and the delivery day are given by phone.
- Load droppedThe pea gravel is dumped at the spot you picked, ready to spread.
How much pea gravel does a backyard play area need?
A backyard play area needs far more pea gravel than a path, because fall protection comes from depth. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Public Playground Safety Handbook lists 9 inches of pea gravel for falls up to 5 feet, so a 20 by 20 foot play zone takes about 11 cubic yards.
The handbook also notes that loose fill packs down with use and weather, so start a little deeper than the target and top it up as it settles. Walkways need much less: one cubic yard of pea gravel covers roughly 108 square feet at 3 inches deep, or about 162 square feet at 2 inches.
Length × Width × Depth ÷ 27
- Play zone length
- 20 ft
- Play zone width
- 20 ft
- Pea gravel depth
- 0.75 ft (9 in)
- Pea gravel needed
- ≈ 11.1 yd³
20 × 20 × 0.75 = 300 cubic feet. 300 ÷ 27 = 11.1 cubic yards. A 4 × 30 foot walkway at 3 inches is 30 cubic feet, about 1.1 yards.
What do customers say after a HARDROCK gravel delivery?
Customers who order gravel from HARDROCK Sand and Gravel post their reviews on Google, and the newest ones appear below. HARDROCK has hauled sand, gravel and rock around Sherman and Denison since 2016 under owner Dean Jones, for homes, farms and job sites.
A backyard pea gravel order starts the same way as a job like this one: a measured area, a phone call and a load dropped where the work happens. All eight materials and HARDROCK's site work are on the full HARDROCK services page.
Google reviews from Sherman and Denison customers
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JJ W3 months ago
Excellent experience working with Dean, he went out of his way to get me the material i was needing. Top notch customer service. I would highly recommend giving Hardrock Sand and Gravel a call!
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Frisco Grass Guys LLC5 months ago
Top-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
Read moreTop-notch company! Their prices are excellent, customer service is outstanding, and communication has always been reliable. I’ve been working with them for over two years and would highly recommend them for all your material deliveries 🚚 🤝
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Robert Holt9 months ago
Great service. Leo the driver was very friendly and courteous. Also spoke with the owner, Dean. He was very friendly and gave me some great information. Great job!!!!!!!!!
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Clyde Roberts11 months ago
Super helpful, on time delivery and informative. I would highly recommend
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Tami Beattya year ago
Couldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
Read moreCouldn't be happier with this company. Called yesterday for help with an issue on my driveway. Talked with Dean the owner, he told me what we needed to do to correct the issue. I asked how soon he thought they might get to it and he said maybe the end of the week. By 8pm the same night, he was on the phone with me asking if it would fit my schedule for his guys to come the next day around noon. His guys were on time, polite, hard working and went out of their way to make sure the job was done perfectly and the price was more than fair. I will definitely use this company for all my sand and gravel needs in the future.
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Dustin Szumowskia year ago
Great driver and solid prices! Worked with us in to get all the aggregate we needed for the project! Phenomenal communication! That was the biggest pet for us with all the moving pieces of this project.
Reviews are shown as written on Google. See all 24 on Google
What do people ask before ordering pea gravel?
Before a pea gravel order, HARDROCK Sand and Gravel customers mostly want three answers: whether the load can reach their address, how many cubic yards a walkway or play area takes, and how the price is worked out.
Does HARDROCK deliver pea gravel to Sherman and nearby towns?
Yes. HARDROCK Sand and Gravel delivers pea gravel in Sherman, Denison and across Grayson County. Give the address and the size of the area when you call 903-420-0330, and the price and the delivery day get settled on that call.
How much pea gravel do I need for a garden walkway?
Multiply the walkway length by its width and by the depth, all in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. A path 4 feet wide and 30 feet long at 3 inches deep works out to about 1.1 cubic yards. Round up slightly so low spots can be topped off later.
How is pea gravel priced?
HARDROCK Sand and Gravel gives pea gravel prices over the phone instead of posting a rate, since the total depends on the amount and the drop-off address. Have your cubic-yard figure ready when you call 903-420-0330, and ask how the load is measured at the same time.
