As a gardening or landscaping enthusiast, you must know how wonderful it is to see your plants grow and flourish. But, it takes a lot of hard work to get there. That hard work involves finding the proper plants, getting quality soil, weeding, and all of the watering to make sure your garden grows. Well, there is another option when it comes to your new landscape addition. You could make the switch from soil to gravel. Having a gravel garden can cut down on costs on your water bill and time for weeding, to make sure you have time to enjoy the fruits of your labor instead of just working on them the whole time.
Adding gravel to your garden may seem like a bold choice, but it can transform your landscape into a beautiful (easy to maintain) paradise!
Is a gravel garden the right choice for you?
Before making your choice for your gravel garden you must understand the pros and cons of having this type of garden style.
Pros:
- Saves water.
- Inexpensive to install.
- A very versatile material that blends well with other hardscapes.
- Low-maintenance; you just have to rake it smooth from time to time.
- Permeable to prevent runoff.
Cons:
- It can be difficult to shovel in snowy climates.
- Needs to be replenished every four years or so.
Once you’ve made your decision that a gravel garden is the right choice for you, it’s time to figure out what to plant!
Types of plants for your gravel garden.
To start your gravel garden, you’ll need to find the proper plants that thrive in dryer conditions.
- Coral bells
- Allium
- Autumn moor grass
- Bee balm
- Blue grama
- Butterfly milkweed
- Nodding onion
- Purple prairie clover
- Shooting star
- ETC…
Once you’ve picked your favorite plants and flowers, it’s time to start preparing for your new garden!
Planting process for your garden.
You start by laying soil down or utilizing the soil you already have, then you add the gravel. It’s best to use pea gravel and have a layer that is about 4 to 5 inches above the soil. After you’ve got your gravel set, start planting! Make sure to leave 10 to 18 inches between each plant to ensure there’s enough space for your plants to grow!
Trust Keleny!
Gravel gardening may seem like a crazy idea at first but once you weigh your options and see how cost-effective and efficient it is to have one, you may just want to convert your green garden to a gray one! For more information on landscaping or to get an estimate on gravel or soil, contact us today!