Top ways to incorporate gravel
Choosing landscaping materials is a difficult decision. Gravel is emerging as an excellent functional and aesthetic landscaping material. There are different and creative ways to incorporate gravel into a garden.
What’s so great about gravel?
There are numerous advantages to using gravel in gardens and landscapes:
Affordable and easy installation
Not many landscape supplies are needed for gravel installation, making it easy and inexpensive. Clear the space where the gravel will be placed, sprinkle the stones, and distribute them evenly.
Easy to maintain
Gravel doesn’t require any maintenance to remain beautiful. It doesn’t need to be stained or sealed. It also doesn’t require trimming, pruning, or fertilization.
Helps with water drainage
Gravel facilitates water penetration into the ground and improves drainage compared to impervious stone.
Helps prevent weeds
Using weed barriers prior to laying the gravel will limit the growth of weeds. Also, spray weed killer on any weeds that do come up.
Helps create unique outdoor entertainment space
Gravel can be coordinated with other components in the backyard to create a gorgeous and one-of-a-kind backyard environment.
The beautiful varieties of gravel and aggregates
Some beautiful gravel varieties include:
Pea gravel
The pea-sized gravel typically measures 1/4 to 1/8 inch. This gravel comes in various tones, including white, tan, and brown. The predominantly neutral hues are the perfect choice to complement existing architectural features or new additions. They are also used for driveways and gaps around stone pavers. It won’t disintegrate like mulch and works well as a weed barrier.
Riverstone
They have a smoother texture and good drainage properties. Alternatively, they can be used to make dry stream beds and garden borders.
White calcite
This is a decorative stone that can be used to accent garden beds, water features, and indoor-outdoor designs.
Ebony black granite
This decorative stone is typically used to accent garden beds and water features. It has a good polish and offers excellent accents. Use it in combination with other stones, as it is not ideal for covering a large area on its own.
Clear limestone
Clear limestone, available in 3/4 inches and 2 inches, is suitable for drainage applications, as a substrate for concrete, and around window wells and weeping tiles.
Incorporating gravel in your landscape design
Gravel can be incorporated into your landscape in different ways.
Patios
Gravel can be used in patio flooring to add texture and make it appear visually seamless. Pick a hue that blends well with other hardscaping elements and matches the design of the yard.
In combination with other natural stones
Rock gardens can be made with gravel in combination with other natural stones to accentuate the garden.
Create walkways and pathways
Given its excellent drainage capabilities and satisfying crunch underfoot, gravel makes for a durable walkway and pathway material. They can also be used for creating permeable driveways.
Create landscape edging
Gravel can make an excellent edging material because it attracts attention to the garden while maintaining a neat appearance to highlight the elegance of the flowers, bushes, and trees. Also, use larger gravel in areas with high traffic.
Functional drainage solution
Gravel trenches are excellent for moving, directing, or draining water. Gravel can also be placed around water features such as fountains and ponds. Therefore, keeping the area free from puddles and pooling while maintaining a beautiful appeal.
Decorative and functional mulch for garden beds
All-purpose gravel can be used as a mulch substitute for gardens. Gravel can provide an excellent drainage system and prevent weeds. You can give the garden a fantastic look by choosing gravel in a suitable color scheme to match the flowers and other elements.
Playground
Pea gravel provides a clean, safe space for kids to play. The gravel’s soft texture will also provide cushioning against falls.
Firepit area
Gravel serves as a tidy and neat flooring material for fire pits and provides a secure platform for an errant spark to settle on.
Landscaping with gravel is a great way to accentuate a home’s backyard. It also offers numerous advantages for the garden. You can include several features to make the backyard eye-catching and gorgeous.