3. Drought Tolerant Grass and Herb Yard

In areas where droughts are common and rain is always scarce, spreading brown-colored gravel will certainly look much nicer than a lawn full of burnt, dry grass. Planting ornamental grasses such as deer grass with drought-tolerant herbs such as rosemary and basil will offer a stunning landscape that will require virtually no irrigation, while also giving you plenty of Mediterranean herbs for your kitchen. 

Where to Find Natural Stone on Your Own

If you have or can borrow, an old pickup truck, you might be able to find beautiful natural stone in areas relatively close to your home. Along highways where roads have been cut into the landscape, it is often possible to find large pieces of slate rock that can be loaded and hauled away to be used as stepping stones across your lawn or garden. A trip to a river will also allow you to find plenty of smooth river rocks that can be utilized as a garden mulch to protect the soil around your flowers and plants while reducing competition from weeds. Large granite boulders can withstand very high temperatures, making it a great option for building a backyard fire pit. 

The Freecycle Network is another great resource to find free rocks and stone for your landscape design. This grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement is composed of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and neighborhoods. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Some people renovating their landscapes might very well have a few rocks that they’d be willing to donate. 

While natural stone offers numerous benefits, the one major drawback is that it is extremely dense and heavy, making it difficult to transport. So, when purchasing natural stone commercially, make sure to choose stone, rock, or gravel that is sourced from local quarries, to cut back on the embodied energy footprint.