The use of decorative pebbles will give a different color and texture to the garden. Gravel can fill an empty space, leaving a visual impression that is more appealing than just soil or mulch. Gravel also has other uses, for example as a decorative divider, for walkways, or as a pretty ground cover. To install gravel in the garden, you must first clean the area, choose a type of decorative gravel, and sprinkle it on the prepared area.
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Method 1 of 3: Cleaning the Area to be Graveled
Step 1. Tour local parks for inspiration before laying gravel
There are many ways to install decorative rocks in the garden. Head to nearby parks to see how landscapers put gravel in public spaces.
- You can also visit some of the parks in person. If your city has a public park or other green space, visit it. Who knows you may get inspiration from that place.
- You can also browse the internet for pebble gardens from around the world.
Step 2. Measure the area of the space that will be given the gravel
Carefully plan the space to be pebbled. This section should be separated from other areas to accentuate the effect of the decorative stone.
- Use a tape measure to get the correct size for the area to be pebbled. This measurement will give you a definite idea of how much gravel is needed. In general, one ton of gravel will cover about 9 m2 of land with a thickness of 2 - 2.5 cm.
- An additional supply of gravel will be very useful. So make sure you have more supplies than you need for the area to be pebbled.
Step 3. Prepare the garden area that will be given the gravel
Remove all shrubs and weeds in the area to be stoned. Wear protective gloves and goggles to avoid slicing hands and eye injuries.
- Remove grass, flowers, or other plants that are in the area where the gravel will be applied. Make sure the roots are uprooted to prevent the plant from growing back from under the rock.
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear when pulling weeds and flowers. This tool is especially important if you use an electric lawn mower.
Step 4. Make sure the garden has good drainage
Sediment can build up on top of the gravel if the garden does not have good drainage.
- If the water stagnates when it rains, it means the garden has a drainage problem.
- You can make a French drain, which is a ditch at the edge of the garden filled with gravel to drain surface water to another place. This trench will help keep the garden from flooding.
- Another way to improve drainage is to bury the perforated pipe under the trench. The pipe will drain the runoff water to a place that will not flood when it rains.
Step 5. Lay out weed mats/grass repellent (ground cover to control weed growth)
This mat is placed on the ground or on the base of the material to be covered with gravel. The weed mat will cover the area that has been cleared for garden gravel and minimize the growth of grass emerging from under it.
- The base covered by weed mats can be soil, sand, grass, pavement, or other natural material.
- Weed mats will limit the growth of weeds that appear between the gravel. This mat will also prevent soil or other basic materials from mixing with the gravel.
- Weed mats can be purchased at garden or landscape supply stores, or online. These mats are made of a variety of materials, including plastic.
- Choose weed mats that are environmentally safe and their use will only affect gravel areas. Biodegradable (biodegradable) weed mats will ensure their use only affects gravel areas and will rot after use.
Method 2 of 3: Choosing Decorative Pebbles
Step 1. Find out about the various types of ornamental stones
You can buy pebbles at a garden supply, swimming pool, or pet store. There are many kinds of decorative stones with varying price ranges. Look for the one that best fits your needs. The types of gravel available include:
- Marble gravel that is pink, white, black, yellow, and brown.
- Limestone pebbles are available in natural colors such as tan, black, white and brown.
- Pink and red granite gravel.
- You can also look for unique pebbles at the bottom or riverbanks to use as accents. If the river is in a wildlife sanctuary or nature reserve, ask local authorities for permission in advance to make sure you are allowed to collect pebbles from there.
Step 2. Choose a pebble from a variety of shapes and textures
You can use flat, round, elliptical, or a combination of different types. Any type of gravel can be used, depending on the environment and your garden plan.
Pea gravel, river stone, granite gravel, and other natural stones have different textures. Find the pebbles that best match the environment and the look of the garden
Step 3. Create a design that matches the style of the garden
You can use one color and one shape of pebbles, or mix different shades and textures in the garden. Plan the design before you install the gravel.
- If you want a garden that is not too natural and looks more modern, use monochrome onyx or white stones for a lighter and more elegant impression. These rocks are more uniform in size and shape and are available at garden supply stores.
- You can also make a stone mosaic by combining different types of pebbles into a certain pattern. Mosaics can make a fun and interesting impression on the garden.
- There are several other decorative rock design options, including blurring the boundaries between gravel areas and plants, combining rocks of different sizes, and adding stone borders. Look for the best design to match your garden.
Step 4. Bring the gravel into the garden
Pebbles are heavy, especially if you buy them in large enough quantities to decorate a large area. Make sure you have an efficient way to transport the gravel from the store or elsewhere, as well as get help taking it to the park.
- If you collect gravel from the wild such as a riverbank, use a wheelbarrow to transport the gravel to the installation site.
- If you bought it from a store, ask someone to help transport it. Rocks as many sacks are very tiring if you have to carry it yourself.
Method 3 of 3: Installing Pebbles in the Garden
Step 1. Spread the gravel over the prepared area
You'll need to haul sacks of gravel to the park first to find out how many sacks are needed for the area. Place the sack near the area where the gravel will be applied so you can estimate how many sacks will be used.
- Open the sack and sprinkle the pebbles. Open a sack of gravel and scatter it over an area of the garden.
- If you are making a stone mosaic, be careful when removing the pebbles.
Step 2. Spread the gravel over the designated area
Once removed from the sack, spread it out carefully until it covers all areas. The weed mat underneath should be covered, so sprinkle in several layers of gravel if necessary.
- Use a rake or similar garden tool to spread the gravel. Do not let the gravel break down while spreading.
- The gravel should completely cover the designated area. It is better to have an excess of gravel than a lack because if it is not enough, the garden will look untidy.
Step 3. Arrange the gravel by hand around the plants and flowers
Spread it evenly over a larger area. As much as possible level the surface of the gravel well. You can flatten it just by looking at it while standing, but try crouching down to examine it more closely.
- Do not damage plants or flowers in gravel areas. Plants must still be able to get a supply of water and sunlight.
- Smooth the surface of the gravel as neatly as possible. You can do this manually or using garden tools, including near plants and flowers.
Step 4. Cement gravel if necessary
Depending on the design you choose, the gravel may need to be cemented. For areas where people will often step on them, you may want to use cement to ensure that the gravel doesn't scatter out of the way.
- Mix cement and sand in a 4:1 ratio to make a cement mortar. Ideally, the texture of the mixture should resemble breadcrumbs.
- Pour cement onto the path. Put gravel into the road. Do not use too much cement as it will spoil the appearance of the gravel. Ideally, calculate the quantity of cement needed compared to the gravel to be installed. In general, 1 sack of cement weighing 36 kg can be used to cement an area of 0.2 m2 10 cm thick.
Step 5. Step back to observe the results visually
Gravel should give a clean and decorative look to the garden. Gravel can make a garden look well decorated and beautiful.
- Ideally, the color of the stone should be pleasing to the eye and match the plants and flowers.
- Remember to create sharp lines and sharp corners when designing a gravel area. Patterns like this will provide a good balance for the garden.
Step 6. Adjust as needed and add gravel if necessary
An extra sack of gravel comes in handy at times like this because you don't have to go back and forth to the store to buy it again.
- Add gravel to areas that seem too low. Uniformity will make the gravel area look nicer.
- Check gravel areas regularly. Pay attention to how it looks regularly, who knows if it needs to be improved or added.
