Landscaping Aggregates

• Filling Awkward Gaps: After installing paving slabs, you might notice small, awkward gaps that seem impossible to fill. That’s where decorative aggregates come in. They’re ideally sized to fill these gaps, providing a seamless and professional finish.
• Creating Unique Paths: If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional stepping stones or paving slabs for garden paths, consider decorative aggregates. With their durability and cost-effectiveness, they can create unique paths tailored to your aesthetic preferences.
• Controlling Weeds: A layer of decorative aggregates over a landscaping membrane can effectively prevent weed growth, keeping your flowerbeds pristine.
• Improving Drainage: For spaces prone to flooding, decorative aggregates can be a better choice than paving slabs. They allow water to permeate, improving drainage. Combining pavers with aggregates could offer the best of both worlds.
• Landscaping a Pond: Decorative aggregates such as pebbles and stones are perfect for adorning ponds and water features, creating a natural, wildlife-friendly environment.
• Resurfacing Driveways: Economically cover large areas, like driveways, with decorative aggregates. 
• Creating Decorative Borders: Decorative aggregates, with their range of colours and sizes, add the finishing touch to any space.

Gravel and aggregates have been used for centuries and continue to be a popular choice due to their numerous benefits:

• Durability: Gravel can withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain and snow, and is ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Ease of Installation: Compared to other landscaping materials, gravel is one of the easiest to install for paths, patios, and driveways.
• Improved Drainage: Unlike paving slabs, gravel doesn’t retain water, keeping your outdoor spaces puddle-free.
• Low Maintenance: Properly installed gravel, with a landscaping membrane underneath, suppresses weed growth and doesn’t require regular cleaning or watering.
• Versatility: Gravel can be used for a wide range of decorative and functional applications. Available in an array of colours, shapes, and sizes, it allows your creativity to shine through.
• Security: Gravel creates noise when stepped on, serving as a deterrent for burglars and unwanted visitors.
• Drought-Resistant: In hot, dry summers, gravel helps plants survive by retaining soil moisture.

To create your gravel garden, you should first lay a landscaping fabric wherever you plan to put gravel to control weed growth.  

When choosing your gravel, think carefully about what colour will complement your desired plants, your home, and the other structures in your garden, such as a paved patio. You should also carefully consider which natural stone type you wish to use for your garden gravel stones. For example, avoid alkaline limestone if you plan to grow any plants that prefer acidic soil. 

When choosing plants, look to Mediterranean gardens for inspiration. Lavender, rosemary, and rock rose thrive well in gravel gardens. Lastly, why not accentuate gravel areas by adding natural stepping stones for a clear walkway? 

For a sturdy, functional aggregate driveway, follow our steps:

1. Multiply the square footage of your driveway by the depth (in inches) that you’d like your gravel to be. 
2. Divide this number by 324 to calculate the cubic yards of aggregate you need.
3. Choose edging for your driveway, such as cobblestones.
4. Dig out the driveway to a depth of 200mm, including 150mm for the sub-base and 50mm for the gravel. 
5. Lay a weed-proof membrane such as ecogrid.
6. Lay MOT Type 1 sub base and compact with a plate compactor.
7. Add 50mm of gravel and rake to spread evenly.

Gravel is commonly used as part of a French drain. This involves digging a trench and filling it with a perforated pipe and your landscaping aggregates. Our drainage guide can explain French drains, plus your other drainage,  further.

Landscaping aggregates are one of the most low-maintenance materials you can use in a garden. Simply rake periodically to refresh and level the surface.

One common nuisance, however, is weeds. These should be dug out with a trowel. Then, apply a vinegar-and-dish-soap solution or boiling water to the affected area to keep them from growing back. Our weed removal guide has more tips on tackling these garden terrors.