After a few years, it was time to replenish the gravel landscaping in my front yard. Gravel landscaping is easy maintenance but it definitely requiring a little attention every now and then.  The fallen leaves and blossoms don’t bother me too much, but after my Jacaranda does its yearly post-flowering dump, I do sweep up all the debris.  The dirt was showing through in some spots so it was time for a little topping off.  And that’s basically all I do to maintain my gravel ground cover. I love all the various rock materials but the plantings on 3 sides really soften the hardscaping. When I moved into this house, the front yard was Bermuda grass, lavender, agapanthus and valerian.  Definitely not something that appealed to a garden hound like me so I tore most of it out and did a makeover in 2007.  I kept the planting along side the house and added raised beds along the street.  I love gravel but I love me some plants even more! See what we did to give the gravel landscaping a facelift:

Besides the fact that this replenishing was long overdue, my house is for sale and I just wanted it to look better.  First impressions do count for something after all and it’s amazing what an inch of 2 of fresh rock can do aesthetic wise. H ere’s where the rock borders the driveway.  1/4″ California Gold covers most of the yard & I used 3/4″ in the small strip in between. * Ordered 1/4 ton (1/2 of a scoop) of 1/4″ California Gold to use as the ground cover.  I ordered 3 bags of the 3/4″ California Gold to top off the driveway strip. *  Moved the table & chair set to the driveway. *  Removed the bulk of the plant debris from the area to be covered. *  Carried the rock in by the bucket full & distributed it all around. *   Raked out the rock to spread it evenly. *  In the areas that needed to be built up more, additional rock was spread.  Overall, the rock was built up by 2″. *   The stepping stones were raised up as needed by putting gravel under them.  

They sit about 1/4″ – 1/2″ above the gravel now to allow for sinkage. *  The dust (be prepared, landscape rock comes with a lot of dust!) was removed from the area by giving it a strong hosing down.  We only hosed for a few minutes because of our drought here in California. *  The 3/4″ rock was laid in the driveway strip.  I used the larger size here because it doesn’t track in on your shoes.  buy unfinished dining chairsAnd, visually, the contrast in size is appealing to me.where to buy chair glides *  The table & chair set was put back.   wicker baby shower chair for saleTime to enjoy the outdoor life here in coastal Southern California!chair cover rentals york pa

In the ideal world, I would do this maintenance every 3 years. My front yard doesn’t get heavy foot traffic nor have we had a lot of  rain here in Santa Barbara in the last 3 years.  If your climate is harsher or your gravel landscaping (whether it be a path, driveway, seating area, etc) gets more wear and tear, then you’ll probably have to do the replenishing more often.bloom high chair cost By the way, my back yard is a whole lot “weedier” than this front yard so pulling out unwanted plant materials is not an issue.  eames chair vintage for saleI love everything about the rock ground cover in my front yard.  cheap nursery rocking chairsThe look, lack of maintenance, zero water usage and sound underfoot all make my heart sing!funky chairs for sale australia

On the side that borders the street, I did raised beds.   C’mon, take a virtual tour of my garden.A gravel driveway can last for many years. Most Popular Links Gravel Driveways Pea gravel is an affordable outdoor paving material that can be installed quickly and easily. When used for paving, gravel has a very natural and casual appearance, making it an excellent option for cottage gardens, or Tuscan style courtyards. chair cover rental sydneyThere are a wide variety of pea gravel colors, sheens and sizes to choose from. Gravel will last a lifetime and when laid over landscaping fabric it will block weeds. Gravel provides excellent drainage, allowing water to readily flow through to the dirt underneath. Since gravel is a loose material, you will end up with a surface that has a lot of texture and some unevenness. Gravel can be quite difficult to walk on since it shifts underfoot, but if compacted properly little shifting will occur.

Additionally, pea gravel is rough on bare feet. To avoid having pieces of gravel tracked throughout your yard, landscape edging made of wood, concrete, or plastic will need to be installed. Gravel ApplicationsLandscapers use gravel as both a paving material and mulch. Pea gravel is commonly used because it is small and has a fine texture. Gravel can be used to pave driveways, patios and walkways. Medium sized, crushed gravel was used to pave this patio. Gravel Driveway - A gravel driveway that is properly designed and built can serve as a lasting driveway paving solution. Using gravel to pave your driveway will be much more cost effective than other paving materials, such as concrete or pavers. However, there is a considerable amount of maintenance that comes with a gravel driveway. Vehicle traffic will cause low spots and disturb the edges of your driveway. These problems will need to be repaired periodically. Gravel Patio - A gravel patio has a very earthy appeal, is affordable and can be installed quickly.

If you are looking for a patio paving material with good drainage, consider pea gravel. However, patio furniture is more difficult to move on a gravel surface, which may pose problems if you plan to dine and entertain outdoors. Also consider that gravel is not comfortable to walk on when bare foot. Gravel Walkways & Paths - Garden walkways are a great place to use gravel. A gravel walkway will blend with any style of home and garden. If you are looking for an understated pathway paving material that lets your plants take center stage, gravel is the perfect option. Gravel Play Areas - Gravel is a good paving choice for outdoor play areas. When gravel is installed at a depth of at least 9 inches, it provides sufficient cushioning for areas with swing sets and slides. Petscaping with Gravel - Gravel is a great material for people with pets because it allows you to easily clean up after them. Gravel Accents - Gravel is commonly used as a decorative accent with materials such as pavers.

Pavers are often installed with space for gravel to be added in-between. Gravel of different colors and textures can be used to create contrast with the pavers. Gravel Mulch - Gravel can be used as mulch to keep your plant beds moist and weed free. Gravel Types - Crushed Rock Vs. River RockThere are two types of gravel that are used in landscaping: crushed rock and river rock (sometimes called pebbles). Crushed rock gravel should be used on driveways as well as high traffic patios and walkways because its angular shape makes the gravel less like to shift. In other words, crushed rock gravel provides a stable surface. River rock, or pebble gravel, has been rounded and smoothed over the years by water. This type of gravel shifts easily and should be used in low-traffic areas or as decorative accents. Decorative Options with GravelWhile it may not offer as much customization as decorative concrete or pavers, there is a wide variety of decorative gravel options. You will get to choose the color, sheen, texture and size of your gravel.