<![CDATA[ROCKY TOP OUTDOORS - Blog]]>Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:48:17 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Social Media]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:50:30 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/social-mediaIf you are on social media such as Facebook, Instragram or Twitter, follow us to keep up-to-date. On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rockytopoutdoors, on Instragram -  @rtoutdoors and on Twitter - @rtoutdoors.  Don't miss out on the deals and project ideas we put on social media sites!   ]]><![CDATA[Mulch calculator]]>Thu, 05 Feb 2015 15:12:24 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/mulch-calculatorTired of trying to calculate exactly how much mulch you are going to need at your house? How much to purchase so you don't run out, but have enough without too much extra? 

If you are trying to figure out how much mulch you need for a job, use our Mulch Calculator.  It is a great way to figure out how much hardwood mulch you need for your job, or just give us at Rocky Top Outdoors a call.]]><![CDATA[About Rocky Top Outdoors]]>Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:07:10 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/about-rocky-top-outdoorsWe are a landscape, landscape lighting, irrigation and hardscape contractor. We serve Middle Tennessee including Franklin, Columbia, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Spring Hill. 
If you are looking for an outdoor kitchen or fireplace on your patio give us at Rocky Top Outdoors a call.  
We also design landscapes and install our design or what you have in mind. We can come monthly and maintain your landscape as well.  If you want to add curb appeal, install landscape lighting - we use LED because you it saves money in the future. 
Some of the companies we use: Belgard hardscspes, Atlantic water gardens, Aquascape water gardens, Vista professional lighting, Kitchler lighting, Toro irrigation, Rainbird,    K-rain and Hunter.   ]]><![CDATA[Paver Patio and outdoor kitchen]]>Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:12:33 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/paver-patio-and-outdoor-kitchenPaver patios and outdoor kitchens are a great way to add another room to your living space, but outside! When you add hardscape features, you increase your curb appeal and in our opinion increase the home's value. 
This is something you can use all year long...if you have the new Big Green Egg and need a place to put it-why not put in a new outdoor kitchen? The Big Green Egg not you cup of tea, what about a pizza oven?  No matter what your style is, there is something for you in a hardscape, and we are the contractors to make it happen.  
Just installed a new paver patio? Add LED landscape lights to make it "pop" at night. This will change the total feel of your hardscape area. Call us today for a free quote.  ]]><![CDATA[Belgard holland stone for a paver patio.]]>Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:34:08 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/belgard-holland-stone-for-a-paver-patio
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]]><![CDATA[Hardscape]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:57:36 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/hardscapeWhether you’re looking to add some old world charm to your patio or contemporary flare to your walkway, Belgard offers a variety of pavers, including brick pavers, concrete pavers and more. We can help you create an eye-catching walkway, patio or driveway. Our pavers come in a number of styles, shapes and tones to help you add the right personality and charm to transform your outdoor living spaces. And, in addition to style, Belgard brick pavers are designed to be strong, durable and environmentally friendly, ensuring your driveway or patio will stand the test of time. - Belgard

The possible applications for pavers are only limited by your imagination. Maximize your outdoor living space with a design that is all your own. Create a scenic walkway in a beautiful backyard garden. A variety of hues and textures allow you to have unlimited possibilities to both compliment and enhance the natural beauty of any surrounding while being friendly to the environment. From palatial outdoor entertaining areas to pool decks with a relaxing spa-like feel, you can count on unsurpassed strength and flexibility. Concrete pavers can withstand the forces of weather, water and traffic. Plus, they are especially designed to withstand freeze-thaw conditions, making them a good choice for cool as well as warm climates. - Pavestone

Whether your design is simple or ornate, random or formal, the secret to a great installation is in the base. Follow these simple steps to guide you to new experiences in outdoor living.

Please contact your landscape designer for information on vehicular applications.

Excavate the Base
  • Excavate an area nine inches deep and 10-12 inches outside the boundaries of the desired installation area.
  • Compact the soil with a 3000-5000 PSI plate compactor.

Install a Geotextile
  • Lay geotextile throughout the excavated area allowing it to “climb up” the sides. Cut the edges to fit the area and overlap a minimum of six inches when covering large areas.


Install, Compact and Level the Base Materials
  • Fill excavated area with crushed aggregate (Road base, crusher-run, crush-and-run, CR16, etc.). Aggregate should have a minimum of 1% slope away from structures.
  • Compact in three inch lifts.
  • Surface should be as smooth as possible.
  • The height of the material should be six inches. Vehicular rated depths are eight inches or more. Contact Red River for more information on vehicular installation processes.
Red River Hardscapes is your one-stop source for completing your hardscape project.

We supply:
  • Base Materials
  • Geotextile Fabric
  • Edge Restraints
  • Masonry Cleaners
  • Sealants
  • Adhesives
  • Reinforcement Grids

Install a Paver Restraint
  • Use a recommended polyethylene edge restraint with steel spikes in areas where the pavers will not be firmly fixed to the side of another structure (ie. house, wall, etc.).
  • Follow the edge restraint manufacturer’s installation recommendations.
  • Drive the steel spikes into the aggregate area outside the paver area, not soil.

Level Aggregates and Screed a Sand Layer
  • Pour a one-inch layer of coarse concrete sand on top of the leveled and compacted aggregate. Do not use fine play sand.
  • Do not compact the sand. Use a board and one-inch diameter pipes to screed to level.

Lay Pavers
  • Begin setting pavers on the sand at the lowest point of the area (if there is a slope) or at a single-corner starting point. Walk on the pavers as you lay them, not on the screeded sand.
  • Fill the area with an interlocking pattern up to the edge of the restraint.
  • Cut outer edge pavers to fit snugly into the area. A soldier course of pavers is recommended.

Compact Pavers
  • A compaction of pavers with the plate compactor will help level any uneven spots and assist in the interlock and strengthening of the paver area.
  • Move compactor in a linear direction across the paver area to the outer edges.

Sweep Joint Sand into the Pavers
  • Push dry, well-graded sand into the slim gaps between the pavers.
  • Polymeric and organic sands may be used instead of natural sands. A joint sand stabilizer is recommended when using natural sand.

Compact Pavers Again
  • Use the plate compactor to further settle the joint sand.
  • Continue to add sand until the joints are filled. Allow for a one-eighth inch drop in the sand.

Apply a Sealer (Recommended)
  • Red River recommends sealers for a variety of looks and protection.
  • Sealers may also contain joint sand stabilizers that will help preserve the sand.
 - Red river]]><![CDATA[Irrigation Spring Start-up]]>Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:47:07 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/irrigation-spring-start-up Spring is finally here and by it is time to start up the irrigation system! No matter what kind of system you have - Toro, Hunter or Rainbird, they all start the same way.  

When we start up a system, we check for leaks at the  back-flow and the meter first. Next we actually turn the system on and check the heads and adjust all of them.  Then we test the system to make sure winter hasn't run havoc on any of the pipes or heads and busted any of them.

After they all check out clean, we make sure you, the homeowner, are knowledgable about how your system works and set up the timers or sensors on the system so your lawn and landscape will be green, thriving and the envy of the neighborhood all spring, summer and fall long!]]><![CDATA[Tennessee Home Garden & Design]]>Mon, 31 Mar 2014 02:29:29 GMThttps://www.rockytopoutdoors.com/blog/tennessee-home-garden-designMake sure you watch our new show - Tennessee Home Garden & Design on Maury County Now.  
The show comes out every two weeks and airs on CPWS channel 13, and is also on Youtube.  Our first episode we discussed prepping your landscape beds for spring, how to trim your shrubs, edge your landscape beds, apply pre-emerigent herbicide and putting down mulch.  The second episode we highlighted Victory Landscape Supply and discussed what all supplies they carry for every wish a landscape could want.   The third episode we were with OUTSIDERS Property Management and discussed getting your lawn ready for Spring - picking the right spreader, applying a weed and feed product, aerating your yard with a core aerator and finally applying fertilizer.   ]]>