I am about to remove a deck from my backyard. Once I do this, there will be a patch of dirt that is approximately 12' x 8' in place of the deck. I would like to cover up this patch of dirt so our dog does not roll around in it.

What temporary cover could I use for this purpose? I want this to be something that's low cost and preferably reusable later (say, when we redesign the entire backyard in a year or two).

I have been considering using gravel but I have no clue where to start. In particular:

- What size and type of gravel should I use?

- Where can I get it?

- How much would it cost?

Thanks!