When it comes to landscaping, gravel and sand are two of the most popular materials that people use. They can be incorporated into a wide variety of landscaping projects and can make a decorative impact on the outdoors of your property. What’s even better is that both gravel and sand are budget-friendly options which is great if you’re a DIY enthusiast who’s looking to try landscaping yourself.
You’ll find that most landscapes or properties have spaces that could use a little bit of gravel and sand for shaping and decoration. If you’re interested in using these materials for your landscaping project, here are a couple of tips that you can follow to ensure your landscaping looks as best as it can be.
How to use gravel for landscaping
Gravel is an ideal choice for many landscaping projects because it adds that rugged texture and appeal to your outdoor property. Man-made gravel binds together very well, which brings stability and sturdiness to your paving projects.
1. Pave a path
Gravel works great for paving paths on walkways, gardens, and yards. You only need to dig a couple of inches off the ground to create room for the gravel. A shovel will work just fine and you don’t need any specialised digging equipment to lay it down. To create a solid path, you should lay a compact base of crushed stone pack on it and soak it with water before layering a landscape fabric. This helps inhibit weed growth and create a stable base for your path.
You’ll require some type of edging to hold the gravel in place. Stones, wood, and metal are perfect for edging a gravel path and will help keep it steady over time. Once you’ve installed the edging, you can start pouring the gravel onto the path and rake it evenly into place.
2. Cover up driveways and patios
If you’re working with larger areas on a landscape, you can add a bit of character to it by using gravel. You can create a patio with gravel to give it a rustic appeal and the best part is, these loose stones are suitable for almost all patio types whether it be circular, oval, or kidney in shape. Similar to a gravel path, you want to lay a compact base and a landscaping fabric before laying down the gravel to keep it firm and free of weeds.
You can also pave a driveway using gravel. This will require more work than paving a patio, but the end result is a beautiful driveway that looks absolutely beautiful. You’ll need several layers of gravel to create a solid base and hold the weight of the vehicles. Use crushed rock with a 6-inch diameter for the bottom layer and use 2-3 inch rocks on the second layer. Finish the driveway off with traditional pea gravel in which you can get if from sand suppliers like Soil Yourself and your vehicles should be ready to park.
3. Use it to create a border around garden beds
For yard features such as garden beds, adding gravel adds more visual interest than say a metal or plastic edging allows. All you do is set two pieces of edging in place to create a channel and fill the insides with gravel. You can also use gravel to create a border around garden beds, plants, and trees around the landscape.
If you have a mini waterfall or fountain, you can use gravel as an accent feature to boost its appeal. Finally, you can use gravel as a border at the corner of your lawn to discourage passersby of cutting across the lawn. This can prove useful if you live in a corner house to preserve the condition of your lawn and other plants.
4. Fill up a garden
Gravel can be used to fill up gardens open areas around a landscape. It creates visual interest, especially if you live in a condition where it is difficult to maintain a lush, vibrant lawn. Alternatively, you can use gravel to showcase garden sculptures by pairing contrasting gravel. Dark-coloured gravel combined with light-coloured stones can make a garden sculpture pop and make it look even more appealing.
How to use sand for landscaping
Like gravel, sand is a versatile material that can bring life into an otherwise boring part of your outdoor property. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can add aesthetics and functionality to any given landscape.
1. Create a beautiful Zen garden
A Zen garden is a Japanese-inspired garden design that uses a combination of sand, gravel, and stones to create a peaceful space for relaxation and meditation. While a Zen garden characteristically lacks plants, it can still serve as a focal point for your outdoor property. To achieve this, rake the sand from side to side to achieve a flowing effect similar to that of a sea’s movement.
The sand is what resembles water and the gravel and stone is what resembles earth and rock formations. If you’re the type of person who loves to tune your mind, a Zen garden is a perfect addition to the outside of your property.
2. Create a play area for children
You can take your children’s play area to the next level by creating a sandbox. Ideally, you want to use play sand because of its soft texture and its lack of silica which is much safer for kids. A sandbox that measures around 6 sq. ft. is usually enough to provide children with a wide play area.
During summertime, you can bring the beach right to your backyard by filling up an area with play sand and throwing in an inflatable pool to go along with it. There’s no doubt that kids will enjoy splashing water on your artificial seaside.
3. Use sand as a base for paving
Contractors use sand as a foundation for many landscaping projects because it’s highly compactable, making it perfect for patio pavers and walkways. When combined with a polymeric additive, sand can also be poured between the joints and spaces of pavers to stabilise the walkway and reduce the risk of cracking or breaking.
Gravel and sand are both amazing materials that you can utilise in your next landscaping project. Make sure to follow these tips and you’re sure to enhance the curb appeal of your property in no time.