For anyone that's interested, here is a comparison of the grit size of the two readily available Cherry Stone products that so many of us use in our soil mixes or top dressing.
-The first is the #2 Sioux Quartzite chicken grit (called 3/16"). Many here use it on top of the soil around their semps. About $6.50 - $7.50 for a 50 pound bag.
-The second is Traction Grit. This is the first time I have bought any so didn't know what to expect. Not as closely screened and uniform as the #2 grit and ranges in size from coarse sand to almost the #2 size of Sioux Quartzite. $3.50 for a 25 pound bag. Harder to find, at least around here, unless you buy it unbagged by the dump truck load.

Here are pictures for comparison. Sitting on top of a cull piece of polished Sioux Quartzite for effect.

That's not a bad price! Too bad I can't find that here.

The 50# bag of #2 grits is $16.00 here in Oregon. That is why I started getting the cleaned 1/4 minus from our local landscaping supply in Canby.
I love you comparison photos Westfork.

But out in California you have other options. Sioux Quartzite is our native rock in this area. But those prices are plenty high, especially when you are used to buying in bulk. Everything is more expensive these days. Sioux Quartzite boulders like these used to be $8 per ton delivered, but my last ones were $38/ton.

Lynn, Proximity to the source and freight rates mean everything when it comes to rock. For a new bed I am putting in I am getting a truck load of probably 1/1/2" Sioux Quartzite. $46 per ton delivered but fuel is expensive these days.
For top dressing on a large semp bed would you use 3/4", 1", or 1 1/2"? 4" available too but that is more for rock mulch around very large plants in public spaces.

Westfork, the largest bed I have done is 4' x 20', I used the clean 1/4 minus. I like the smaller gravel. I don't like the gravel to overpower the semps, size wise.
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Yes I don't like big gravel either. I dont have much a choice right now -- Grit is really expensive ehre

Alex, you should be able to find a landscape supply place close to you, where you can get the 1/4 minus in bulk. It is very inexpensive.

Ooh let me check it out soon

There's pea gravel. But it doesn't look natural.

I currently ahve pea gravel .
I do not like.

The pea gravel is smooth, and doesn't give a natural look.
Alex, you might even be able to just get a 5-gallon bucket full?

hmm I will look for it

Lynn, thanks for the advice on the gravel size. I will probably go the 3/4" - #4 sieve size (down to about #2 chicken grit size on the smallest pieces). This is the size sharp rock called for in the retaining wall construction so will go with just one size and get a tandem or sidedump load. At least the color matches the large rocks used in the beds.

Westfork, can you take progress photos as you go? It would be so much fun to see it progress.

Lynn, I am just in the material accumulation stage now. It will be a bit longer before the frost is out of the ground, still a below zero night or two coming up in a week.
Here I am sorting the retaining wall block. The mostly dark gray ones will be below grade, the heavily tiger stripe ones in this planter, and the mostly tan striped ones for another project. Collecting some tough semps for the project (Heufs, rollers, calcariums, tectorums and some neat newer introductions from Kevin). They go outside on warm days and in this south facing window the rest of the time. I figure putting them in freezing weather at this stage in the spring when they came from a greenhouse somewhere and not hardened off, wouldn't be the best for them.

Westfork said: Lynn, I am just in the material accumulation stage now. It will be a bit longer before the frost is out of the ground, still a below zero night or two coming up in a week.
Here I am sorting the retaining wall block. The mostly dark gray ones will be below grade, the heavily tiger stripe ones in this planter, and the mostly tan striped ones for another project. Collecting some tough semps for the project (Heufs, rollers, calcariums, tectorums and some neat newer introductions from Kevin). They go outside on warm days and in this south facing window the rest of the time. I figure putting them in freezing weather at this stage in the spring when they came from a greenhouse somewhere and not hardened off, wouldn't be the best for them.

So many happy semps! You should also start collecting some companions … a few hardy sedum perhaps? I think candytuft and some carnations or creeping phlox would go well (to provide more pops of interest I guess)… or some Dutch iris or small daffodils too…
And more fuzzy semps
Super exciting seeing you build he garden bed
!
My garden bed is. Reused vegetable bed (

Westfork,

Going to be a pretty bed!

Yes I would not put the greenhouse-grown semps directly into freezing conditions. A local friend had his damaged when we got down to 20F last week (a record!!). The plants already in the ground did fine.

I don't mix too many sedums in the semp beds as they tend to takeover too quickly. The Dazzler series are clumpers though and could be useful.

Kevin

Yes sedum can be a little on the aggressive side so it's probably better to put them on n the cinder blocks or in a container

Westfork, I am excited by what I am seeing in your photos. It is going to be a very impressive garden. I look forward to watching it grow. Will it become an alpine house?