What is the best gravel for gardens? Our guide to garden gravels

There are plenty of reasons why people choose gravel for their gardens. Compared to other materials, garden gravels are relatively low cost and look good with most landscape styles. With so many different stone types, sizes, colours and textures available it can be tough deciding on the right gravel for your garden. Here we take a look at the best garden gravels to suit different needs to help you buy gravel online much more easily.

Picking the right gravel

How do you plan on using the gravel?

Garden gravels should never be picked solely based on looks. What really needs to be considered here is where the gravel will be used and how you want that material to behave. Some gravels have a roll to them underfoot while others will compact to form a much more stable surface, making them easier for wheelchairs and pushchairs. If you want to use your gravel alongside paving stones then you want to go with much smaller or larger particles because they are less likely to transfer onto the paving.

How much do you want to spend?

The amount of money you will spend to buy gravel all depends on the type of rock as well as the size of the stones. Where the gravel is from can also have an effect on the price. Going with garden gravels that are local to your area may mean that the cost can be cut.

What colour do you want?

Colour is a huge consideration along with the size and type of stones when it comes to gravel. Take a look at the other elements in your landscape and try to match like colours. Warm-toned garden gravels will add depth to your backyard area and they will also act as a natural backdrop to any foliage and flowers that have a pinkish or purple hue to them. Cooler-toned garden gravels, like those that have been made from crushed slate, look great alongside plants with bright green leaves as well as paler blossom flowers.

Are you using gravel as the primary cover?

If you are planning on having most of your garden covered in gravel then there are more aspects you have to consider with the materials you choose. You need garden gravels that won’t cause any sort of drainage issues and that won’t compact easily. Pea gravel and decomposed granite work well for this because they aren’t too coarse and you can still dig holes to plant new shrubs if needed.

Different types of garden gravels

Now that you know what to consider when choosing to buy gravel online, let’s take a look at some different types of gravel.

 
 

Pea gravel

We’ve mentioned pea gravel before and that’s because of its popularity. Pea gravel can be used for pathways, as a ground cover and for patios. The stones in pea gravel are round and sort of pea-sized, hence the name. These garden gravels come in an array of different colours including browns and greys. The pea gravel is best known for the crunching sound it makes when you step on it and the pebbles will roll as you walk on it. If you are planning on using it in an area of your garden make sure there is no wheel traffic as this type of gravel is hard to push any sort of wheels on.

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Crushed rock

Crushed rock is different from pea gravel in that it has jagged instead of smooth edges. These roughed edges can be beneficial for anyone looking for gravel that has to compact and almost lock into place when stepped on. It won’t roll or travel as much underfoot and still gives out a crunch. Colours for these products include off-whites, reddish browns and slate greys.

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Drain rock

Talking of drainage problems, if this is something of an issue in your garden then drain rock will be the right gravel to buy online. Driveways and raised flower beds can benefit from these garden gravels thanks to the quicker drainage. Much like crushed rock, the rough edges of these gravels lock together to form a stable surface. However, there are gaps between the stones that will easily let water pass and flow through. You’ll find these types of garden gravels in greys, reddish browns and sandy tones.

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Decomposed granite

Decomposed granite also goes by the name 'path fines', and these are the garden gravels that have the smallest particle sizes. They are almost sand-like grains that will form a compact and stable surface when trodden on, making them suitable for rolling wheels. These materials are ideal for covering paths, driveways and patios. Make sure to not use these types of gravel on areas that don’t drain well. Because the gravel is so compacted it could actually worsen the problem.

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