Best Landscaping Supplies in Colorado: A Practical Guide

Planning an outdoor project in Colorado can feel like a moving target. One week it’s sunny and warm, the next you’re dealing with frost, wind, or sudden rain. The right landscaping supplies make a difference when you’re trying to build an outdoor space that looks good and holds up across changing conditions.

At Rivendell Distribution, we work with homeowners and landscapers across Colorado every day. As a local business, we see how high-quality materials choice, timing, and site conditions affect real projects, from garden beds to patio installs. This guide shares practical experience around materials, quantities, and planning so people have better access to information before moving forward.

 

Read Your Site: Colorado Climate, Soil, and Slope

A solid project starts with what your site gives you. Sun, wind, soil type, and slope all affect how landscaping supplies perform over time. Taking a short look at these factors can help avoid common problems later.

In many parts of Colorado, weather changes fast. Wind can move mulch, slopes affect drainage, and uneven grades can shift materials. These details matter when you’re working in the same area year after year.

Microclimates and Elevation

Colorado has a wide range of microclimates, even within the same location. A south-facing yard in Denver dries out faster, while areas closer to the foothills hold moisture and stay cooler. Elevation also affects temperature swings and freeze–thaw cycles.

Wind often plays a bigger role than expected. It can thin out mulch or move lighter supplies, especially in open spaces. Watching how the site behaves helps you choose materials that hold up better over time.

Soil Tests and Practical Amendments

Soil conditions vary across Colorado, from compacted clay to rocky or sandy ground. Both can support planting with the right soil and mulch options for Colorado projects. Understanding soil early helps guide the process.

A simple soil test gives useful direction. Many people rely on professional soil diagnostic testing to check pH and structure before planting. This makes it easier to plan quantity and avoid guesswork.

Compost improves soil structure and water retention. Knowing the benefits of bagged compost helps with consistency and planning, especially when managing multiple beds or a larger garden area.

 

Core Landscaping Materials and What They’re For

Once you know the site, match materials to the job. The right landscaping supplies do simple things well: manage water, control weeds, stabilize surfaces, and protect plants through seasonal changes.

Rock, Gravel, and Mulch

Rock and gravel handle structure and drainage. Common sizes include 3/8" pea gravel for paths, 3/4" minus for base layers, and larger cobble for swales and borders. These landscape materials used for drainage and surface control vary in weight, which affects how they settle and stay in place.

Organic mulch insulates soil, reduces evaporation, and improves soil over time. Plan on 2–3 inches for most beds, with 3 inches common for new installs. Choosing mulch that help control weeds also keeps garden beds cleaner and easier to manage.

In windy areas, double-shredded or chunky mulch tends to stay put better. If a noncombustible zone is needed near structures, rock mulch works well, with wood chips used farther out.

Topsoil, Compost, and Bed Mixes

Topsoil quality varies, so look for screened products without large clods or debris. For many projects, a blended bed mix with compost is easier than amending soil in place. As a guide, 1 cubic yard fills about 27 cubic feet, or roughly 3 inches over 100 sq ft.

Compost works best mixed into the top 6–8 inches for new beds, then added as a 1-inch topdress each year. For lawn repairs, a sandy loam topdress during aeration helps improve drainage in heavy clay. It settles into the cores and supports better root growth over time.

Pavers, Edging, and Geotextiles

Pavers and slabs create clean lines in patios and walkways. The base matters most: excavate to stable subgrade, add geotextile when soils are soft, then install 4–8 inches of compacted road base and a 1-inch bedding layer. Using hardscape materials for patios and walkways helps surfaces stay stable through freeze–thaw cycles.

Edging controls movement between surfaces. Steel edging keeps lines clean, while concrete curbing offers durability with less flexibility. Taller edging helps contain rock and protects nearby turf.

Geotextiles support long-term performance. Woven fabric works for separation under bases, while nonwoven fabric supports drainage in areas like dry creek beds. Skipping plastic sheeting avoids trapped water and root issues.

 

Make It Water-Wise without Losing Style

You can build an outdoor space that uses less water, handles heat, and still looks inviting. Start with planting zones, pair them with smart irrigation, and choose mulch based on the area and exposure. This approach helps reduce ongoing problems without sacrificing how the space looks.

Mulch Choices for Drought and Fire Safety

For water-wise beds, organic mulch cools soil and reduces evaporation. Fire safety matters near structures, and guidance from wildfire authorities and CSU Extension recommends a noncombustible zone of 0–5 feet around buildings using rock or gravel mulch with low-fuel plantings. From 5–30 feet, wood chips can work with proper spacing and regular upkeep.

Color and texture also play a role. Dark shredded mulch blends into native garden areas, while lighter chip brightens shaded spots. In windy locations, coarser mulch paired with edging stays in place and keeps beds looking clean.

Drip Irrigation Basics

Drip irrigation delivers water directly to roots and limits loss to wind and evaporation. A simple setup usually includes a pressure regulator, filter, mainline poly, emitter tubing, and mulch placed over lines to protect them. This setup works well for managing water use across different planting zones.

Emitter spacing should match plant needs, not perfect grids. Trees benefit from multiple emitters near the drip line, while perennials often work well with 12–18 inch spacing. Water early in the day, adjust by season, and always check local rules, especially in Colorado communities with watering limits.

 

Tools and Equipment that Make Jobs Easier

The right tools save time, reduce strain, and help projects move smoothly. You don’t need every option, just reliable supplies that support the work and match the project size.

DIY Essentials

For weekend work, a simple setup covers most needs:

• A wheelbarrow for moving soil and rock that fits through gates
• Flat shovel for scraping and square shovel for moving materials
• Rake pair for grading and cleanup
• Hand tamper for small compaction jobs
• Utility knife, string line, and stakes for clean layout
• Gloves and eye protection for safer handling

For patio prep or paths beyond a few square feet, renting a plate compactor makes a difference. A sod cutter also helps when removing lawn, keeping the work clean and easier to manage.

Pro-Level Time Savers

For larger jobs, the focus shifts to speed and control. These tools help keep work consistent when managing quantity, access, and tighter schedules.

• Compactor with water tank for fines
• Laser or rotary level for grades and drainage
• Geogrid and fabric to stabilize soft subgrades
• Power wheelbarrow or compact loader for limited access
• Dustless saw setup for cutting pavers with less cleanup

Planning staging early also matters. Using landscaping tools used for everyday projects alongside scheduled deliveries helps avoid working around piles and keeps the process moving.

 

Planning, Quantities, and Delivery in Colorado

A little math and timing keep projects moving smoothly. You don’t have to be perfect, just close and planned, especially when ordering landscaping supplies across Colorado. This helps reduce delays, extra pricing, and avoidable problems.

Estimating Yards and Tons

Start with area and depth. Convert depth to feet, multiply by square footage, and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. This process works for soil, mulch, and other base materials.

• Mulch: 3 inches is 0.25 feet. 400 sq ft × 0.25 ÷ 27 ≈ 3.7 yards.

• Soil: 6 inches is 0.5 feet. 200 sq ft × 0.5 ÷ 27 ≈ 3.7 yards.

Gravel is measured by volume, then converted to tons using supplier density. Many gravels run 1.4–1.7 tons per yard, while topsoil often falls around 1.1–1.3 tons per yard. Thinking through the best materials for hard landscaping projects early helps avoid rework and sizing issues later.

Round up slightly for compaction and uneven grades. For decorative rock, rounding down can make sense if edges are feathered into surrounding areas.

Access, Timing, and Seasonality

Colorado adds a few delivery quirks. Spring and early summer fill up fast, while freeze–thaw can keep soils soft into April and affect truck access. After July 4th, storms may wash fines and slow base work.

Check gate width, overhead lines, low branches, and turning radius before delivery day. If smaller trucks or split loads are needed, sharing that early helps keep materials delivered on schedule and the work moving.

Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal

Before you order, check what can be reused. Existing rock may work for drainage, and removed sod can sometimes be composted on site. Clean concrete may also be reused as base material.

Plan disposal ahead. A 10-yard dumpster fills quickly with soil and turf, and some materials require separate handling. Bag old fabric as you go, it saves time and keeps cleanup easier.

 

Budgeting and Avoiding Common Mistakes

Good budgets protect your design choices and help keep a project moving without stress. A few habits make it easier to manage pricing, materials, and timing while avoiding common problems.

Phase Your Outdoor Space Project

You don’t have to build everything at once. Prioritize structure and utilities first, grading, drainage, base layers, edging, and any sleeves under paths, then move on to planting zones and finishes. This makes it easier to manage quantity, deliveries, and the overall process.

Phasing also helps when deciding between surface options. Thinking through comparing pavers and concrete for a patio early can prevent costly changes later and keeps material orders aligned with the timeline.

Hidden Costs to Watch

A few line items often surprise people, especially when managing larger outdoor space projects:

• Delivery minimums or split-load fees when mixing materials
• Equipment rental add-ons like fuel, cleaning, or damage waivers
• Cutting and disposal for existing concrete, roots, or debris
• Extra base needed for soft subgrades or expansive clay
• Irrigation upgrades for pressure regulation or drip zones
• Erosion control after storms, including staples and wattles

Costs can also add up around borders and transitions. Understanding landscape cost considerations helps set realistic expectations before ordering materials or finalizing the layout.

Build a 10–15% contingency into the budget. If it isn’t needed, great, and if it is, the project stays on track without last-minute stress.

 

Your Local One-Stop Shop for Landscaping Supplies in Colorado

When you pair the right landscaping supplies with Colorado’s realities, sun, wind, soil, and slope, projects tend to look better and last longer. Read the site, choose materials for function first, then layer in style with texture and color. Keep water-wise choices front and center, and plan delivery service, access, and quantity with a little cushion.

If you want a second opinion on materials or quantities, local experience helps. At Rivendell Distribution, our team assist customers with a broad product selection, a reliable local delivery service, and planning support, both in person and through our website. You can visit us at 3961 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs, CO or order online when it’s easier to manage from the jobsite or home.

 

Best Landscape Supply Near Colorado FAQs

What landscaping supplies work best for Colorado’s heavy clay or rocky soils?

Focus on structure and separation. Mix compost and coarse organic matter into the top 6–8 inches of clay to improve drainage, and add organic matter to sandy or decomposed granite soils to improve water-holding. For hardscape work on expansive soils, excavate to stable subgrade, use a geotextile separator, and install a well-compacted, graded aggregate base.

How do I calculate how much mulch, soil, or gravel to order?

Multiply area by depth (in feet) and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. For example, 400 sq ft at 3 inches (0.25 ft) equals about 3.7 yards. One yard of mulch covers roughly 100 sq ft at 3 inches, and many gravels weigh 1.4–1.7 tons per yard, so checking material density before ordering helps. For quick planning, using a landscaping project calculator can make it easier to double-check quantities before checkout.

What’s the safest mulch choice near a home in wildfire-prone Colorado areas?

Create a 0–5 foot noncombustible zone using rock or gravel mulch with low-fuel plantings. From 5–30 feet, wood chips can work when spaced properly and kept clean. In windy areas, choose coarser mulch and use edging to limit movement and reduce ember buildup. This approach follows best practices for landscaping materials around a home’s foundation, balancing fire safety and drainage.

How should I build a paver base that stands up to freeze–thaw cycles?

Excavate to stable subgrade, add geotextile where soils are soft, and install 4–8 inches of compacted road base. Finish with a 1-inch bedding layer and uniform compaction. This base supports patios built with long-lasting patio materials designed for freeze–thaw conditions.

Can I use pea gravel for a driveway, or is larger gravel better?

Pea gravel tends to shift and rut under vehicle traffic. For driveways, a compacted 3/4-inch minus base performs better and drains well. Adding sturdy landscape edging helps keep materials in place and reduces long-term maintenance.

How can I control weeds without using landscape fabric?

Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch to block light and retain moisture. Use pre-emergent treatments where appropriate, keep edges clean, and limit soil disturbance. Drip irrigation under mulch supports plant roots and makes early weed control easier to manage.