Is garden gravel the same as stone chippings? The experts explain

If you want your garden to look beautiful but don’t have hours to spare pruning and maintaining your garden, creating a gravel garden or having gravel pathways put down may be the answer.

Not only does gravel reduce the overall upkeep of your garden, but it's incredibly economical and easy to work with. Gravel can transform your whole garden into a beautiful space with ease. Moreover, whether you’re a beginner gardener or have been gardening all your life, including gravel in your garden is incredibly easy.

If you are thinking about adding gravel to your garden, you may have already looked at some of the different types of stone and gravel available. But what are some of the differences between regular garden gravel and stone chippings? If you are unsure which will be the best fit for your garden, take a look at this expert advice on the difference between these two types of stone that will help you pick the best type of gravel for your outdoor space.

What is gravel?

Gravel is a loose aggregation of rock fragments. It can be made up of many different types of rock and often comes in a variety of different sizes, shapes and colours. Take a look at some of the different types of gravel to see which will best fit your space.

Gravel is incredibly easy to lay in your garden and can make any space look polished and stylish.

What are stone chippings?

Stone and slate chippings are a great and affordable alternative to gravel. The main difference between the two is that stone chippings offer a flatter texture, and can be a perfect addition to any garden that is looking for a smoother pathway and wants a more even, monochrome look.

Stone and slate chippings are better for gardens where you need a smooth walkway, such as gardens for those who may struggle to walk well or older people who could trip up easily on gravel.

Although stone chippings are indeed similar to gravel, they are usually only made up of one type of stone, whereas gravel can be made from several different stone types.

Which is better?

Neither is better than the other, it simply depends on your personal preference.

For example, if you want a more colourful and vibrant garden, you may choose to use gravel as it often comes with a variety of different coloured stones. However, if you want a garden that is easy to walk on and want all the stones to look the same, you may want to consider using stone chippings instead.

Benefits of gravel and stone chippings

Although slightly different, both garden gravel and stone chippings have numerous benefits. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using them in your garden.

  • Reduces garden upkeep: most of us, nowadays, live too busy a life to spend hours in the garden every weekend. Not only does gravel require no maintenance itself, but it also suppresses weeds, meaning that you won’t have to spend as much time pruning your garden. It also requires no watering, feeding, or mowing.

  • It is great drainage for your garden: gravel cannot retain water, meaning that water will never pool on it (unlike grass). This means that no matter the weather, your garden will always remain puddle-free.

  • It is incredibly versatile: gravel has an enormous amount of uses. Not only can it spruce up your garden, but it can also be incredibly functional, too. It can be used to create easy-to-walk pathways, edge ponds, create a driveway for your home and much more. Moreover, because gravel and stone chippings can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, it allows for a huge scope of possibilities for your home and garden.

  • Easy: you don’t have to be a master gardener as it's one of the most simple things to lay.

  • Climate-resistant: one of the most beneficial features of gravel is that is climate-resistant, meaning that it will work in both dry and wet conditions. If you live in a hotter climate, gravel can be used as the perfect growing ground for Mediterranean-style plants. If you live in a wetter area, gravel can help keep your garden and your plants from getting drenched in water.

Buy gravel for your garden today

Because both stone chippings and garden gravel are similar and have the same benefits, it can be tricky to know which is the right type for your garden. If you are confused, make sure you check out the vast array of gravels and stone chippings at Decorative Gardens.

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