Looking to give your garden a facelift? Whether it’s a quick budget makeover or total transformation,
gravel is a fantastic, multi functional
aggregate suited to many landscaping applications. However, with so many gravel varieties on the market, choosing the best for your garden may prove difficult. At Watts we know a thing or two about aggregates, so we’ve put together a guide to help you find the best gravel to suit your specific landscaping needs.
Gravel is a fuss free, easy to install aggregate and can be used to cover areas of all sizes including walkways and plant beds. Gravel comes in many sizes, can be bought both washed and unwashed and used for both functional and decorative purposes.
We stock and supply many varieties of gravel. Our
washed gravel is ideal for decorative landscaping, whilst our
recycled gravels and
unwashed gravels are best for covering paths and walkways. Once installed,
gravel requires very little maintenance, so is a great choice if you’re not a big fan of gardening.
Using Gravel for Plant Bedding
Gravel can be used between potted plants or laid on top of soil to create a neat yet organic looking decorative feature.
If you plan on laying gravel between plant pots make sure you first lay a weed control membrane. This will help prevent pesky weeds from ruining your beautiful plant display. Remember weed membrane only helps to prevent weeds and won’t eliminate them completely. To get the best from the membrane take care not to puncture it when laying it and target any signs of weeds as soon as they appear.
Gravel can also be laid on top of a bed of soil to create a more rustic, natural look. Remember small plants can easily drown within the gravel if it is allowed to cover them. To avoid this issue plant them on a slightly raised mound. Make sure to use gravel as a covering after your plants have sprouted, otherwise they may not be strong enough to push through.
What size gravel should I use for plant bedding?
The choice here is really up to you and will depend on your own preferences, as well as graden functionality. If you have cats that like to urinate or walk on your plant life, it’s best to choose a gravel they would find uncomfortable to walk on. Larger cobble like stones are best for warding off cats.
Using Gravel for Paths and Walkways
The use of gravel for paths and walkways is common thanks to its neat appearance and low maintenance. If you’re choosing gravel for your walkway make sure you opt for a size that is comfortable and stable under foot.
Pea gravel or
medium sized gravel are excellent options for walkways. We recommend using
recycled or
unwashed aggregates if your path is more of a functional rather than decorative feature. These can also be a great option if you want to create a dry river bed look.
Unwashed aggregates are a less costly and more sustainable choice, so should always be considered if aesthetics aren’t a priority.
Using Gravel for Pet Areas
Gravel can be an excellent alternative to grass if you have pets. From brown and bald spots to unsightly holes, dogs and cats can certainly wreck havoc on your lawn. Gravel on the other hand is a much more pet friendly covering. Unlike grass, gravel can be easily cleaned, doesn’t absorb odour and allows much easier clean up of pet waste.
