Gravels and Bark

Gravel

It is essential to choose the correct topping for the job.

When you use gravel, of which there are hundreds of different ones to choose from, it is worth considering its use before you buy lots of volume and find that it is the wrong choice for the job.

For example, if it is for a walkway, then slightly larger gravel, and preferably angular in its constitution, will mean that the path is more comfortable to walk on and the soles of shoes will leave the gravel on the path, where it belongs.

When laying the gravel,  it should only be two to three inches thick, as any more becomes uncomfortable to walk on.

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Under gravelled areas, it is important to use a membrane that lets water down through it, and stops weeds growing up through it.

Do not buy a cheap membrane for anywhere that you are likely to walk on, as the cheaper membranes available tend to be less durable and therefore, it doesn't take long for weeds to push their way through it and to start appearing in your gravel pathway.

Read the application requirements, before you purchase, thus ensuring that the membrane is fit for purpose.

Once you have chosen a membrane and the type of gravel, make sure that you have sealed all the edges so that the gravel stays exactly where it should be, then hold your membrane in place with old bricks, as it is not good to puncture the membrane. Overlap any joins by at least a foot, in order to prevent weeds coming up through the gaps in the membrane.

It is good in big areas where vehicles may drive over it, to dig out a little deeper, 5 inches or so and putting your membrane, one that is fit for purpose, in direct contact with the soil, and then a 2 to 3 inch layer of ballast, whacker plate over the top and then put on the final decorative surface.

If you are going to use two gravels or more, then a more substantial divide, such as bricks or blocks, end to end will help stop the two gravels getting mixed up.

In the autumn, if leaf fall is a problem, then simply putting a net over the worst affected areas, a bit like you would a net over a pond, makes leaf collecting a lot easier.

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If it is not possible, to use the net then a leaf blower, is the next best thing.

Bark

Apart from the obvious, such as children's play areas, in which case you need to use a special blend, suitable for application, there are many other uses, for bark.

People with large borders, that require maintenance, at various times of year, a bark path, meandering through the border, can facilitate clean feet, all year round and not stand out, when not in use.

Shady borders, always look fantastic when they have had a top dressing of bark.

You can get many grades of bark, and it is worth remembering that, for example, an exposed garden would require larger pieces of bark, in order to stop them blowing away.