5 good reasons to use gravel in your landscape

Good drainage

Gravel provides good, natural drainage along walkways and among plants. If standing water is a problem, it can be used to form a path and help eliminate surface puddles. It also can help anchor soil along a slope. Place egg rocks or river rocks along a slope to keep soil in place. For more severe drainage problems, a rock-filled trench, or French drain, can be built to divert water to another location.

Lower maintenance

If you are looking for ways to better manage your time, think about what else you could be doing if you didn’t have to mow or water your lawn. Eliminate your lawn by replacing the grass with gravel. This alternate surface material can also transform a hard-to-grow area into a more appealing and usable space.

Long lasting

Unlike mulch where you have to replace it frequently, gravel will last several seasons. It will stay attractive for a long time. You might have to periodically weed and blow away fallen leaves, but then all you will have to do is touch it up.

Easy to use

Gravel comes in many different sizes, shapes and colors that blend naturally in any landscape. Most of it is medium to lightweight so it can be worked with by hand. It’s easy to spread among plants and shrubs. You can easily shape it into a creative design on a surface, or form a patio or walkway. While some gravel can be raked to keep tidy, your crushed varieties have irregular edges that press it into the ground to help it remain in place.

Plant-friendly

Gravel is a natural landscaping material that has no added chemicals or other harmful substances. This makes it great to use in place of mulch and around plants. It can be difficult to weed if weeds get out of hand, so remember to put down landscaping fabric first, and then spread the gravel. And if you want an edge, line your beds with slightly larger aggregates such as river rock for visual interest.

Textural appeal

There is the smoothness of pea gravel, egg rocks, and beach pebbles or the broken, asymmetrical look of crushed stone. Depending on the type you use, you can add different textures to dress up your garden beds or create an enchanting path. Shape small pebbles of various colors in a circular pattern to create a design. And if you are laying down a stone patio, fill in the space between larger stone pavers with pea gravel or egg rocks for a decorative look.

Fieldstone Center has a large variety of aggregate stone, including gravel, to use in your next landscape design. You can view the types of aggregates we have at https://www.fieldstonecenter.com/product-category/aggregates/. And feel free to contact us for more information at (770) 385-7708.

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3 Different Stones for Patio Projects

Flagstone

A favorite choice for homeowners, flagstone is noted for its loose grains and rough texture and admired for its color variations and limitless pattern options. It looks good on both small and large surfaces. Select uniform shapes to create a pattern or irregular cuts for a more random appearance. Color options include red, pink, orange, brown, blue, green, gold and gray. It’s easy to use because of its flat cut surface and ideal for high traffic areas because of its non-slip surface. Since water permeates through it instead of running off, it is a good choice near pools and water features.

Granite

Known for its versatility, granite cobblestones add an authentic charm to patios. Granite is nonporous so it resists staining. It requires very little maintenance. Because of its hardness, you can’t beat its durability in landscape design. The downside is it can be quite pricey so it is often more practical for smaller patios or combined with other surface materials. Mix and match black and grey colors and lay the cobblestones in a pattern to create a stunning patio design. Or add a cobblestone walkway with a patio seating area that is surrounded by gravel and plants for a natural look.

Gravel

An easy choice for the do-it-yourselfer, small aggregates such as pea gravel can help transform your patio area to one reminiscent of a cottage garden or courtyard. While aggregates are easy to put down and inexpensive, more maintenance is required over time compared to most stone. This is especially true in high traffic areas where gravel can get dislodged to create a messy look. It is great for drainage but can be difficult to walk on; therefore, consider adding in some stepping stones.

Mixing Materials for Your Patio

Consider the different affects large flagstone will have on a space compared to smaller granite cobblestones or gravel. Mixing and matching two or more types of stone together can increase your possibilities. For example, use flagstone for larger areas of a patio that lead up to a more intimate area set in a pattern of cobblestones for a dramatic effect. Or add aggregates or cobblestones around the edge of a flagstone pool area for variance. Aggregates or groundcover plants can also be used to fill in spaces between flagstone or cobblestones for a relaxing lounge area.

Whether you are designing an intimate gathering place or an expansive area with a pool, choose the best quality natural stone for long-lasting beauty. Fieldstone Center has a wide selection of natural stone for your patio project. Contact us at 770.385.7708 to arrange to see our selection or for more information.

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