how to make a gravel garden

Find a sunny position for your gravel garden as this is best for drought-tolerant plants. Decide on the shape of the area you want to gravel and mark it out, including areas for planting. Make sure that you give the plants room to spread about. An informal, fluid shape is most suitable for this style.

How deep should a gravel garden be?

Creating a gravel garden

The gravel mulch for your gravel garden should be around 5-7cm deep and spread over all beds so there is no longer any bare soil, and under no circumstances put down any sort of membrane beneath the gravel.

What gravel is best for gravel gardens?

Loose gravel, resin-bound gravel or self-binding gravel?

Loose gravel is the best gravel for country gardens, but suits contemporary gardens, too. ...
Resin-bound gravel is more suited to contemporary gardens, especially urban courtyards. ...
Self-binding gravel will work in both traditional and contemporary gardens.

What can you grow in a gravel garden?

A gravel garden is a great option for a low maintenance garden. It also lends itself to Mediterranean-style drought-tolerant planting so things like lavender, euphorbias, Cistus, Santolina and Phlomis are ideal and provide plenty of nectar and pollen for visiting insects.

What should I put down before gravel?

Lay a sheet of landscape fabric over the bare ground, to prevent weeds from sprouting up through your gravel. Cut the landscape fabric with scissors to fit your work area, but there is no need to anchor it.

Should landscape fabric go under gravel?

When to Use Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric is laid over soil and then mulch is layered on top of the fabric. Landscape fabric also works well beneath gravel, rock, or hardscaping. It also can be used beneath flower beds or ground cover to reduce weeds and the need for weed control.

Do you need a membrane under gravel?

Always easier to get a little more than try and lose gravel! Don't be tempted to put membrane under the gravel, this will not work on a driveway. It will firstly help the gravel to move about alot more, which is not ideal, once you drive on it a few times, it will part like the red sea.

Can I use plastic sheeting under gravel?

Putting a tarp or some other form of heavy plastic sheeting under the gravel instead of landscape fabric can be an appealing alternative in some cases. ... Also, the impermeable plastic cuts off oxygen and suffocates living organisms in the soil under the rock beds.

Is Gravel good for gardens?

How does a gravel garden work? It's a simple concept. Before you plant, cover beds with 4 to 5 inches of pea gravel. The gravel allows plants to grow in sharp drainage, which is desirable for many native or drought-tolerant plants.

What gravel is best to walk on?

Round gravel, such as pea gravel, has the most give and is the most comfortable to walk on. The gravel does shift some. You'll notice footprints in your patio after you walk on it, and you'll need to rake the gravel back into place and add more gravel from time to time.

What is self binding gravel?

What is Self Binding Gravel? Self Binding Gravel is a blend of either 10mm or 8mm sized gravel particles, gravel dust, sand and clay that binds firmly when compacted. Not only does it look neat and attractive but it's also easy to maintain - just requiring the odd bit of weeding.

What is the cheapest gravel for landscaping?

Gravel Cost Per Yard. Bulk gravel costs $15 to $75 per yard on average. Crushed concrete, sand and gravel mix, and crushed shells are the cheapest stones at $15 per yard. Crusher run, pea gravel, steel slag, and river rock typically cost $50 per yard or more.

Will shrubs grow in gravel?

What shrubs grow in rocky soil? When you want shrubs for gravel beds, think Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, and lavender. Most salvias also make great gravel garden shrubs. If you'd like bright scented flowers in your gravel garden, consider including Euphorbias.

Can water plants grow in gravel?

Usually, most aquatic plants grow best in small gravel as opposed to large-chunky aquarium rocks. Thus it's best if you stick to a gravel grain size of 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 millimeters) or use a coarse sand substrate that's between 0.12 and 2.0 inches in size.

Can hostas grow in gravel?

Fruit trees do exceptionally well with gravel mulch, and the diffused sunlight will be great for a few hostas. Top off pots too; gravel mulch will contain moisture and add nutrients.

Should you put sand down before gravel?

So as previously commented how much sand and what is under it will affect success and how long it lasts before sand comes through (if it does). The gravel will work into the sand, but this is not bad at all (concrete is sand, gravel and a cement, 2 out of the 3). ... Lay your gravel on top, wet and compact it.

Can you just put gravel on top of grass?

It not only suppresses future weed growth, but will also smother existing vegetation, eventually killing it. To convert an unkempt grassy area to pea gravel mulch, simply lay down the fabric and spread the pea gravel on top -- the grass will die and decompose in place.

Can you lay gravel on top of grass?

One of the most important things about laying gravel is the process of installing a weed membrane. And this, like any other landscape fabric, cannot be placed directly over a lawn.

Why is landscape fabric bad?

Cons of Landscape Fabric

Over time, decomposing particles of mulch and soil clog the perforations in the cloth, which keep adequate amounts of water and air from reaching the plant roots leading to the plant's decline. Earthworms, which aerate the soil, don't develop, leading to compacted and unhealthy soil.

How do I stop weeds growing in my gravel?

How to Keep Weeds Away from Your Gravel

Weed the area thoroughly yourself. Before you put the gravel down:
Use garden fabric to keep weeds away. Some people take this a step further and use garden or landscape fabric instead of, or in addition to, the mulch. ...
Use salt for your weed control. ...
Talk to your Lawn Doctor lawn care professional.

What can I use instead of landscape fabric?

The Top Seven Alternatives for Landscape Fabrics

Mulch. The number one alternative to landscape fabric is mulch. ...
Compost. This is one of the best ideas for your garden because not only is it healthy for the soil, it recycles your kitchen scraps and grass clippings. ...
Straw. ...
Cardboard. ...
Newspaper. ...
Burlap. ...
Gravel or Rocks.