What it is
Fine-crushed granite — angular fragments from 3/8" down to fines — sold by the ton. Tan/gold color, the same material you see on every public park path in central Texas. Compacts to a firm, walkable surface but stays porous, so water drains through.
What it is for
Anywhere you want a hard-but-natural-looking surface:
- Garden paths. The classic use. DG compacts firm enough to roll a wheelbarrow on, holds its color, ages well.
- Patio surfaces. Informal patios in courtyards, under bistro tables, around fire pits. Cooler underfoot in summer than concrete.
- Dog runs. Drains well, easy on paws, looks better than pea gravel.
- Decorative ground cover in xeriscape and native-plant beds.
- Mulch alternative under desert/drought-tolerant plantings.
DG also makes a great driveway top-course over crushed limestone — the gold tone reads premium against the limestone base.
How much do I need
One ton covers about 80 sq ft at 2 inches depth — the standard path depth:
| Path/area size | Tons needed |
|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | 0.6 |
| 100 sq ft | 1.25 |
| 200 sq ft | 2.5 |
| 500 sq ft | 6.5 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 12.5 |
The path wizard and driveway wizard compute DG quantities. DG paths need the same base build as pea gravel — fabric, compacted limestone base, edging, then DG.
How to install DG so it actually lasts
- Excavate 4-6 inches.
- Lay woven landscape fabric.
- Compact 2-4 inches of 1" crushed limestone base. This step is non-optional. DG on bare dirt sinks and erodes inside a year.
- Install edging — DG migrates without an edge.
- Spread DG 2 inches thick.
- Mist with water (don't flood) and compact with a plate compactor or by walking over it.
- Repeat the mist-and-compact step — DG firms up best with two cycles of moisture and compaction.
For vehicle-bearing applications (driveways), increase base depth to 6 inches and DG top course to 1.5 inches.
DG vs Texas Blush vs gravel
| DG (gold) | Texas Blush (pink) | Pea Gravel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface | Firm, walkable | Firm, walkable | Loose, scattering |
| Color | Warm tan/gold | Pink/rose-red | Tan/gray mix |
| Best for | Standard paths, patios | Decorative, color contrast | Drainage, dog runs |
| Compacts firm | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cost per ton | Moderate | Slightly higher | Moderate |
Buying tips
- Order DG with crushed limestone on the same delivery — they pair under every install.
- Mist as you spread. Dry DG goes everywhere; lightly moist DG stays put.
- Plan to top up annually for the first 2 years. DG settles 10-15% as it cures.
Contractor notes
Volume pricing at 10+ tons. Tandem-load standard. Bundle quote available with limestone base course.
In the field
