Pea gravel is a smaller rock that is great for use on:
- Pathways, walkways
- Fire pits
- Ground cover around sidewalks, porches/decks, gardens
- Drainage projects
- Patios
- Playgrounds
- Driveways
- Camper or RV pads
- Grave sites and cemeteries
How to make pea rock stable?
Tips for Stabilizing pea Gravel
- When you work the soil, make sure that you tamp the earth with a hand tamper to make a more compact surface.
- The base rock should be rough gravel that will large enough to allow the pointy edges. ...
- Tamp the base rock so that it does not move because it is what supports the pea gravel.
Is pea gravel the same as river rock?
Pea gravel is usually multicolored in appearance and has the same attractive, natural look as river rock. However pea gravel does not have the vehicle instability that river rock has. But since the pea graves stones are round, they do not interlock like the crushed stone tends to do.
What is pea gravel used for?
Since it has a smooth finish, pea gravel is also regularly used for walkways, dog runs, playgrounds, patios, and a variety of other high-traffic areas. Like crushed stone, pea gravel can also be used for underground projects, such as drainage and pipe bedding.
Is this what "pea" gravel looks like?
Pea gravel perhaps looks more like really large peas, like edamame or something of that size. The colour of the pea gravel depends on the colour (s) of the parent rock material.
What can I do with pea rocks?
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What is pea gravel best used for?
Pea gravel is perfect for everything from walkways and garden borders to patios and driveways. The soft texture of the stones makes it great for footpaths. Pea gravel also suppresses weed growth and doesn't decompose like organic mulch so it makes for an effective rock mulch.
Is pea rock and pea gravel the same?
Pea gravel is small, rounded pebbles. Also referred to as pea stone or pea pebbles, each little rock of pea gravel is just a bit bigger than a pea (think green frozen peas).
Will pea gravel wash away?
Water runoff may not seem like much to worry about, but even a little rainfall can wash away several square feet of pea gravel. To combat this, build your gravel pathways and driveways with a crest at the center. The gravel should slope down to the sides to promote water to run off easily.
Can pea gravel be used for driveways?
Pea gravel is popular gravel for driveway aesthetics. It's made up of round, small stones that can come in many different colors. This type of gravel will easily migrate and spread under the weight of vehicles, though, and needs to be stabilized for long-term, maintenance-free usage.
Does water go through pea gravel?
Water moves through gravel a lot faster than it does through the majority of soil and other materials. Since the drainage process is expedited when gravel is used at the base of the water body, puddles and wet areas are able to dry out quickly instead of pooling up on top of soil and other land materials.
What is the cheapest rock to use for landscaping?
What is the cheapest rock for landscaping? Crushed gravel and pea gravel tend to be the cheapest landscape rocks.
How do you install pea gravel?
How do you install pea gravel? Compared to other hardscaping materials, installing pea gravel is relatively easy. Generally, you work the soil about 6 inches deep, remove any weeds, lay down 2 inches of coarsely textured base rock (also called crushed rock), and cover that with a 3-inch-deep layer of pea gravel.
What is the best rock to use for landscaping?
Best Landscaping Rocks for Your Yard ProjectRiver rock.Lava rock.Beach pebbles.Polished pebbles.Boulders.Cobblestone.Flagstone.Bricks.More items...•
Can you put pea gravel directly on dirt?
You can lay the pea gravel directly over grass or soil, but plants will grow up through the pea gravel. Remove the hose and dig out the marked area to a depth of approximately 2 to 3 inches for low-traffic feature areas such as mulching around pots, flower borders and areas used for display only.
Can you put pea gravel on dirt?
Don't Place Pea Gravel Right on Soil A common mistake when using pea gravel is putting the gravel right on top of the soil. If you are using the pea gravel as an alternative to mulch or to create a pathway in your yard, it should never be put directly on top of soil.
Should I use pea gravel?
Driveways – pea gravel is very durable with good drainage and is also easy to maintain, making it a solid choice for driveways. Walkways – because of its smooth surfaces and rounded edges, pea gravel can be an attractive and safe walkway material, while providing a satisfying crunch underfoot.
In This Article
Pea gravel is a decorative and useful landscaping material for mulching and making walkways, driveways and even patios. It's one of many types of gravel and is not to be confused with the angled gravel commonly used for drainage and underground structural construction. It behaves very differently, owing to its smooth round or oval-shaped stones.
Pea Gravel Is Basically River Rock
Although it's probably possible to round the edges of angular gravel by putting it in a tumbler, most pea gravel is harvested from water beds, where it has been slowly smoothed and rounded by the elements.
Best Uses for Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is primarily an above-ground material and has few structural uses, although some landscapers use it in lieu of drain rock for bedding drain pipes and filling post holes, according to Ozinga.
Where to Get Pea Gravel
You can buy pea gravel in bags at any home supply outlet, but that isn't the best way to buy it, and you'll spend considerably more than you will if you get it in bulk. Most stone and gravel suppliers stock pea gravel and will deliver a truckload for a nominal extra charge, and you'll need a truckload for most large-scale projects.
Making a Pea Gravel Walkway or Patio
A layer of pea gravel needs a good, solid base, and if the ground is loamy or sandy, Braen Supply recommends laying a base layer of crushed gravel and tamping it down.
Using Pea Gravel as Mulch
When it comes to mulching, pea gravel has as many pros as it does cons. On the plus side, it adds color to enliven the garden, weeds have a hard time growing through it and it doesn't decompose. Even when using pea gravel in flower beds, a layer of landscaping fabric underneath it is recommended, and you ideally lay this before planting.
Pea Gravel Takes Little Maintenance
One of the best things about pea gravel is that it requires very little maintenance other than an occasional raking to smooth it out after a rainstorm. The small stones tend to settle after a few years, and if you have a pea gravel driveway, some of them will inevitably end up on the road, so you'll probably have to add more gravel periodically.
What Is Pea Gravel?
Pea gravel is a decorative small rock that is poured to fill holes and create landscaping dreams. They are similar to the rocks uses to create a french drain, the difference being the size of the rocks or gravel.
Pea Gravel Patio
Pea gravel patios are quite popular. To begin building one, you need to find a flat location as pea gravel tends to fall into cracks and isn’t stable on hilly locations that aren’t level. So find a good place to build your patio.
Pea Gravel Landscaping
Pea gravel is perfect for your landscaping needs. They are just one of the types of landscaping rocks you can use for your yard. It can be used for infill, stop weed growth, playground, pipe bedding, and more.
Pea Gravel Driveway
One of the single most popular ways to use pea gravel is in a driveway. This gravel can be compact and withstand a lot of pressure so it is ideal for driveways of all types. It is even one of the most common types of rock used for driveways.
Pea Gravel Cost
Pea gravel can be purchased by the ton, by the cubic yard, or by the bag. Since buying by the bag is the easiest and most expensive way to purchase pea gravel, we’re going to figure costs that way so there will be no disappointing surprises later on.
Pea Gravel Pros And Cons
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Every building and landscaping material has its pros and cons. Here are the pros and cons of this magical gravel!
Is Pea Gravel For You?
Probably! Due to its price and versatility, most people can find a use for pea gravel if they are into landscaping. It is a staple for anyone who spends much time landscaping their own yard, so keeping a bag on hand for a small project is a great idea!
What is Pea Gravel?
Pea gravel is small, rounded pebbles. Also referred to as pea stone or pea pebbles, each little rock of pea gravel is just a bit bigger than a pea (think green frozen peas). Pea gravel perhaps looks more like really large peas, like edamame or something of that size.
Landscaping with Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is used in landscaping for paths, patios, and other areas with foot traffic, as well as a decorative (and functional) mulch. Here are some pea gravel landscaping ideas to help you add this lovely hardscaping material to your yard.
Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Landscaping
Here are some pros and cons for using pea gravel in your yard and garden landscaping:
Pea Gravel Cost
Standard bulk pea gravel generally costs about $50 per cubic yard when purchased in bulk at a landscape supplier. Pea gravel sold at a garden centre is generally more expensive – up to $100 per cubic yard – but there are more choices available. Garden centres may stock pea gravel of varying sizes and colours to suit your landscape design.
How to Clean Pea Gravel
When pea gravel arrives in bulk (and sometimes even in bags), it is generally quite dusty. You may wish to give the pile a bit of a rinse to get some of the dust off before placing it. This will also help you get a good idea what the gravel looks like (once it has dried).
How to Keep Pea Gravel In Place
Most of the battle for keeping pea gravel in place can be won by installing a hard edging material. The photo above shows a pea gravel and paver pathway with a cedar edging. This edging is simply a 2″x6″ cedar board sunk into the ground to separate the lawn from the pea gravel path.
Pea gravel
Slightly rounded and as the name implies, about the size of peas, pea gravel is a long-lasting solution for paths and walkways. It is often used as a mulch in bare areas and is sometimes used under xeriscape-type plants. Pea gravel comes in a variety of colors, and prices can vary considerably, depending on the color you choose.
Gravel
Machine crushed gravel has triangular sides that fit together. This shape allows the gravel to meld together when compacted to form a tight, durable surface. Gravel is used mostly for driveways, although it can be used for paths and patios.
River Rocks
River rocks come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1 inch up to several inches across. These smooth rocks create a rustic, natural feel and are often used to edge flower beds or create drainage areas within beds. Costs vary considerably, but river rocks are typically sold by the pound or the ton.
Decomposed Granite
Decomposed granite is simply granite that has weathered to a combination of tiny rocks and silt. Because of its fine texture, it is often used on paths or patios. It’s usually rust-colored and fades to tan in the sun. At about $40 per cubic yard, decomposed granite is reasonably affordable and holds up for a long time.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is similar to decomposed granite, but the rocks aren’t crushed quite as finely. Crushed stone comes in a variety of colors and usually costs more than decomposed granite. It has a crisper look than decomposed granite and works well in contemporary landscapes.
Pea Gravel vs. River Rocks
If you’re considering making changes to your landscape with decorative rocks you’ve likely considered using pea gravel or river rocks.
Comparing Pea Gravel and River Rocks
One of the more common uses for pea gravel is in the installation of front walkways and garden paths. You might also choose to use pea gravel as a surfacing material for a stunning and unique loose stone driveway or patio.
River Rocks: Uses, Benefits and Things to Consider
River rocks are extremely popular due to the beauty it can bring to a landscape. It can create a very naturalistic look to areas around swimming pools and water features, making them popular as an edging material or as a replacement for sand on beaches.
Buying Pea Gravel and River Rocks
After taking a closer look at the benefits and considerations involved with pea gravel vs. river rocks, you should have a better idea with regard to which material is best for your specific project.
