Landscape Materials Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the rock, sand, soil, bark, sod and turf terms you will hear when planning a landscaping project in Roseville and Placer County. Each entry gives a quick answer first, then deeper detail, common mistakes and examples.

Measuring & Buying Materials

Cubic Yard

A cubic yard is a volume of material measuring 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet — 27 cubic feet in total. Bulk landscape materials like rock, bark, soil and sand are sold by the cubic yard.

Material Coverage

Material coverage is how much area a given volume of material covers at a chosen depth. As a rule of thumb, one cubic yard covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.

Bulk vs. Bagged Materials

Bulk materials are sold loose by the cubic yard and loaded into your truck or delivered; bagged materials come in pre-measured bags. Bulk is far cheaper per unit for larger projects; bags are convenient for small jobs.

Ton vs. Cubic Yard

A cubic yard measures volume (space) while a ton measures weight. Landscape materials are usually sold by the cubic yard, but their weight per yard varies — rock and sand run heavy, bark runs light.

Decorative Rock & Gravel

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is small, smooth, rounded stone about the size of a pea (roughly 3/8 inch). It is used for pathways, patios, dog runs, play areas and as a decorative ground cover.

River Rock

River rock is naturally smooth, rounded stone shaped by flowing water, sold in sizes from about 3/4 inch up to several inches. It is a durable decorative ground cover used in dry creek beds, around plants and for drainage accents.

Lava Rock

Lava rock is a lightweight, porous volcanic stone available in red, black and brown tones. Because it is non-combustible and insulating, it is popular for fire features, drainage and decorative ground cover.

Mexican Beach Pebbles

Mexican beach pebbles are smooth, rounded, naturally polished stones — usually charcoal black, buff or mixed tones — prized for high-end decorative landscaping. They are sold by size, commonly 1/2–1 inch, 1–2 inch and 2–3 inch.

Cobbles

Cobbles are large rounded or semi-rounded stones, generally 3 to 10 inches across, used for borders, dry creek beds, erosion control and bold decorative accents. They sit between river rock and boulders in size.

Landscape Boulders

Landscape boulders are large natural stones — from one foot to several feet across — used as focal points, retaining features, seating and slope anchors. They are sold individually or by the ton.

Aggregates & Construction Base

Decomposed Granite (DG)

Decomposed granite, or DG, is granite that has naturally weathered into a mix of fine gravel and sand. It compacts into a firm, natural-looking surface and is popular for pathways, patios and drought-tolerant yards.

Drain Rock

Drain rock is clean, rounded or angular gravel — commonly 3/4 inch — with no fine particles, so water flows freely through it. It is used in French drains, behind retaining walls and under foundations to move water away.

Base Rock

Base rock is a blend of crushed angular stone and fine particles ("fines") that compacts into a hard, stable foundation. It is the layer that goes under pavers, concrete, driveways and pathways.

Crushed Rock

Crushed rock is stone that has been mechanically broken into angular, sharp-edged pieces. Those edges interlock when compacted, which makes crushed rock ideal for bases, driveways and pathways that need to stay firm.

Sands

Concrete Sand

Concrete sand is a coarse, washed sand with angular grains, used to mix concrete and mortar and as a leveling bed under pavers and flagstone. Its coarse texture gives strength and drainage.

Mason Sand

Mason sand is a fine, washed, uniform sand used for mortar, brick and block work, paver joints, and as a smooth base for play areas and sandboxes. It is finer and smoother than concrete sand.

Fill Sand

Fill sand is an economical, often unwashed sand used for backfilling, raising grade, bedding pipes and filling large voids. It is a bulk, utility-grade sand rather than a finish material.

Soil, Compost & Bark

Topsoil

Topsoil is the upper layer of soil, rich in organic matter, used to establish lawns, fill garden beds and level low spots. Screened topsoil has been sifted to remove rocks and debris for a uniform texture.

Compost

Compost is decomposed organic matter — plant material broken down by microbes into a dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich product. It is mixed into soil to improve fertility, structure and water retention.

Soil Amendment

A soil amendment is any material mixed into soil to improve its physical properties — drainage, structure, aeration, water retention or nutrient content. Compost is the most common organic amendment.

Mulch

Mulch is any material spread over the soil surface to retain moisture, suppress weeds, moderate soil temperature and reduce erosion. Common organic mulches include bark, wood chips and shredded wood.

Bark

Bark is the outer covering of trees, processed into mulch in sizes from fine to large nuggets. Fir, cedar and redwood barks are popular for their longevity, color and pleasant appearance in planting beds.

Playground Fiber

Playground fiber is engineered wood fiber designed as a cushioning surface under play equipment. Its interlocking fibers compact into an accessible, impact-absorbing surface that helps meet playground safety standards.

Sod & Artificial Turf

Sod

Sod is pre-grown grass harvested with a thin layer of soil and roots, delivered in rolls or slabs for instant lawn installation. It gives a finished lawn in hours instead of the weeks or months seed takes.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is synthetic grass made from plastic fibers on a backing, installed over a compacted aggregate base with infill. It delivers a green, low-maintenance lawn that needs no mowing, watering or fertilizing.

Turf Infill

Turf infill is the granular material brushed into artificial turf fibers after installation. It weighs the turf down, holds the blades upright, protects the backing and helps with drainage and odor control.

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