DIY Builds
Photo by Monstera Pexels Logo Photo: Monstera

Why not to use pea gravel?

Pea gravel that is directly on topsoil can lead to weed growth, tripping hazards, and an unsightly garden.

How many solar batteries are needed to power a house?
How many solar batteries are needed to power a house?

Key takeaways If you want to save the most money possible, you'll need enough battery storage to cover your energy usage when your solar panels...

Read More »
How accurate is SketchUp?
How accurate is SketchUp?

SketchUp is 100% precise. When you type in a dimension into the VCB, SketchUp will draw or move the entity to that exact location. Mar 6, 2015

Read More »

Are you about to use pea gravel for your garden or yard’s landscaping? Not so fast! Sure, pea gravel can be one of the most versatile add-ons for any garden, yard, or curb. However, unless you were somehow trapped in a Zen monastery’s gravel garden, pea gravel can have its share of problems. And, if you make these four common mistakes, these problems will come faster than you can say “inner peace.” What are these grave errors? None other than:

Putting pea gravel on topsoil

Skimping on the gravel

Not placing a border

Being too shallow with placement

Avoid these, and your garden will come to life (in a good way). So, buckle up, grab your shovel, and stick around for details on the top four pea gravel mistakes you ought to avoid. RELATED ARTICLE: How to Use Beach Sand and Stone to Create a Backyard Oasis Why did you choose pea gravel in the first place? Nine times out of 10, you picked it for the uniform look it can give your garden. Overzealous to achieve this, many frustrated landscape artists have committed mistake #1—dumping and spreading it directly on topsoil. Placing pea gravel directly on topsoil allows weeds to grow. Weed growth can push some of the gravel in different directions. While this can be good for the soil, it doesn’t do much for the uniform look you so desire. To prevent weeds from growing, you can dig up the first layer of topsoil and add landscaping fabric. The fabric between your soil and pea gravel will hinder weed growth.

NOT SURE HOW MUCH PEA GRAVEL YOU NEED.

CLICK FOR OUR CALCULATOR

There’s always a bell curve to adding pea gravel anywhere. Add too much, and you’ll risk spreading it in areas it’s supposed to be in. Add too little, and your garden will look less uniform (see mistake #1). How much is too little? Well, if you can still see some patches of fabric, then you probably need to add more. What separates pea gravel from other landscaping materials like soil, turf, and mulch is its looseness. As loose material, pea gravel can end up anywhere outside your yard or patio. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can be a tripping hazard.

RELATED ARTICLE: 7 Reasons to Buy Your Landscape Supplies in Bulk

On top of that, pea gravel outside your garden or patio would be nothing shy of unsightly. To keep your gravel in place, you need a border or edging material.

Mistake #4: Shallow Placement

Pea gravel that is directly on topsoil can lead to weed growth, tripping hazards, and an unsightly garden. For your pea gravel to adhere better to the ground, you need to spread it at a depth. The right depth for most people is about an inch or two. Placing your pea gravel this deep into the soil will make it appear level with the ground.

Call Lammon Brothers!

Now that you know what mistakes to avoid, you can now create your pea gravel garden. Contact us today at Lammon Brothers! We’ll be glad to help you with your pea gravel, mulch, topsoil, sand and stone needs. Call 419-825-5956.

How do I stop my metal roof from sweating?
How do I stop my metal roof from sweating?

5 Ways To Prevent Condensation In Metal Buildings Use Proper Insulation. Insulation that regulates the temperature inside of a metal building helps...

Read More »
Does a stamped concrete patio add value to your home?
Does a stamped concrete patio add value to your home?

How much value does stamped concrete add to your home? In most markets, stamped concrete can add up to 15% to a home's value! Jun 13, 2022

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »

Can you live in an outdoor shed?
Can you live in an outdoor shed?

One can easily turn a shed into a home by running electricity and adding some plumbing. You can add a shower, a toilet, a kitchen, a loft bed and...

Read More »
Can you use a summerhouse as an office?
Can you use a summerhouse as an office?

You can have both the floors and the walls and roof insulated, which means that the home office can be used all year round, even at lower...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
Why do you put a ball of aluminum foil in your dryer?
Why do you put a ball of aluminum foil in your dryer?

This is the dreaded static cling. And it only gets worse with cooler, drier air (e.g., winter). Throwing a few balls of aluminum in the dryer will...

Read More »
How thick should a tarp be for waterproof?
How thick should a tarp be for waterproof?

For general use, such as covering items, look for a lightweight blue tarp that has a thickness of at least 5 mils. If you're using the tarp for...

Read More »