7 Gravel Landscaping Tips You'll Love

Designing with gravel can add a unique texture and aesthetic to your landscape. Whether you're designing a gravel walkway or a patio base, here are seven tips to design with this versatile hardscaping material.

1. Choose the Right Gravel

Select a gravel size and color that complements your garden and home's exterior. Pea gravel is often used for paths and patios, while larger stones can be used for accents or to create a dry riverbed look.

Use different colors and sizes of gravel to create accent features or to fill gaps between stepping stones.

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2. Prevent Weeds

Before laying gravel, use a high-quality landscape fabric to suppress weeds. This will save you time and effort in maintaining your gravel landscape.

3. Install Stable Edging

Install sturdy edging to keep gravel in place. Materials like metal, stone, or brick work well to define the area and prevent gravel from spilling into plant beds or onto lawns.

4. Ensure Proper Drainage

Ensure the area has good drainage to prevent water pooling. If necessary, incorporate a slight slope or use a French drain system beneath the gravel to facilitate water runoff.

5. Maintain Your Gravel

Rake the gravel regularly to keep the surface level and tidy. This also helps to prevent the gravel from compacting over time.

6. Layer

Apply gravel at least a couple of inches thick to ensure adequate coverage, which helps to minimize weed growth and provides a better walking surface.

7. Select Complementary Plantings

Choose plants that thrive with gravel, such as succulents, sedums, and other drought-tolerant species. These plants will add life and color to your gravel landscape without needing much water.

Work with a Designer

Need extra help designing with hardscaping materials? Connect with a ServeScape designer for on-site consultation. Or if you need specific plant recommendations that pair well with gravel or any other landscaping materials, feel free to ask.