Since I've talked about this material which covers my yard a bit, I thought I'd provide a photo for reference. I dunno what you call it in your neck of the woods, since I'm sure materials differ, but this is what I am calling "crushed gravel" or "chat." It's not decomposed granite, but it is a similar material. The chips are tiny, flat, and sharp. It comes in several different colors -- this is "desert tan" I believe, and matches the color of my house and the rocks in my rock walls.

I really like it because:

1) it's cheap

2) it's a good alternative for desert/dry climate/xeriscape when you don't want to put turf down

3) it compacts down and makes walking crunchy fun (not with bare feet though!)

4) it's done a FANTASTIC job of handling the water from the monsoon heavy rains -- the water just percolates down and where I'd have huge puddles before--nothing at all now!

5) you can rake fun patterns in it