Yup, I ordered two yards of drainage rock when I meant crushed rock. I use crushed rock for backfill and drainage behind walls, so I end up calling it the wrong thing half the time.

I was in a rush because I really needed the other half of the delivery which is road rock. The extra drainage rock qualified me for free delivery.

These are not crushed rocks. They are the smooth rounded 3/4-1" rocks that you would put in the bottom of a french drain or something. I meant to order crushed rock to use as drainage behind an 16" tall 60' long wall I'm building.

I really have no idea what to do with this stuff. Can I still use it as drainage behind the wall? It looks really uncomfortable to walk on, so I don't want to use it for paths anywhere. Just wondering if anybody has any ideas before I resort to giving it away free on Craigslist or something.

 

I don't think that the water will know the difference. Use it.

 

It doesn't compact like crushed rock, so it is liable to shift.

 

So, by drainage rock do you mean pea gravel? I would use it behind the retaining wall for drainage if the wall is out in the yard somewhere and would only be concerned about the stone moving if you plan to build a patio on the high side of the wall.

 

I would place the "drainage stone at the bottom of the wall for drainage. Make sure there is an outlet for any water collected in the stone. I would then cover the stone with you backfill material in 6" layers and thoroughly compact each layer.