What is Pea Gravel and Should You Use It?

Pea gravel is a popular landscaping material used to create paths, driveways, and even patios. It comes in both small block sizes, which are used for small areas, and larger slabs, which are used for larger areas. The reasons to use pea gravel are it’s natural color, lightweight, durability, and ease of installation.

Pea gravel is a popular way to add texture to your patio or driveway, or for adding an aesthetic touch to your landscaping. However, once you get down to using it, it’s essential to know the pros and cons to get the most out of it. It can be used in place of mulch or gravel, or to cover the surface of the ground. Pea gravel is made of crushed or processed peas, and can be used to improve the look of your yard, garden, walkways, and patios.

Pea gravel is one of those things that you’re probably exposed to daily, but it’s rarely thought about. It’s one of those things that most people don’t know what it is, but they’ve seen it used in most outdoor spaces. It’s no surprise most people don’t know what it is, it’s not something that you really think about every day.

To say that pea gravel is one of the most favorite elements of a leading landscaping company in Dubai would be an understatement. This element is so versatile that you can use it for different purposes and each would look equally beautiful. Whether it was to line driveways, or complete flowerbeds, you cannot go wrong with multi-colored pea gravels!

People are increasingly joining the DIY bandwagon, particularly when it comes to landscaping and gardening. It’s probably not as difficult as it seems, but it’s not impossible. All it takes is a little research into your own style and the resources available to create the home landscape of your dreams. When it comes to landscaping, you should be familiar with and utilize pea gravel. It’s one of the most adaptable and cost-effective materials accessible to the general public.

What exactly is pea gravel?

Pea gravel is a kind of rock gravel that is tiny and rounded in appearance. They’re essentially stones with aesthetic and utilitarian purposes. Pea gravel is used in a variety of settings and for a variety of purposes. They are long-lasting, simple to maintain, and available in a range of hues, depending on the parent rock type. The surface polish of each rock is the primary distinction between pea gravel and other kinds of gravel. The stones are naturally polished rather than jagged and chipped. This not only makes pea gravel more appealing to the sight, but it also makes it more pleasant to touch and walk on.

Pea gravel has a variety of applications.

Pea gravel may be used in a variety of ways around the house. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. Here are a few of the finest pea gravel applications.

Hardscaping/patio made with gravel

Sometimes you simply need a flat surface outside that isn’t covered with sod or grass. It’s ideal for sitting and even dining areas. The choice of pea gravel as the primary surface material for a gravel patio works because it eliminates the need for cement, pavers, and other similar materials. It’s simple to distribute and level out pea gravel, and it’s also simple to maintain clean. Because pea gravel drains water efficiently, you won’t have to worry about water collecting on your patio.

Mulch for xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is a kind of landscaping that requires very little or no watering. Pea gravel is often used in xeriscapes since it blends in well with most xeriscape designs. Pea gravel is also helpful for preserving lines and boundaries between different plant kinds and regions while still appearing natural. Pea gravel also inhibits the development of different weeds, which means you’ll have to perform even less upkeep.

Driveway

Should you pave your driveway with pea gravel? Absolutely. Pea gravel has a lot of advantages when it comes to driveways. Pea gravel, on the other hand, cannot be used to cover a whole driveway. To have a fully functioning driveway, you’ll need some foundation support. If you have larger cars, such as trucks and SUVs, this is particularly essential. Compacted crushed rocks and stone dust provide an excellent structural foundation layer for a driveway. Base layers should be at least 4 inches thick, and up to 12 inches thick if heavy vehicles will be present all of the time. The pea gravel will next serve as the driveway’s top layer.

Walkway/path

Nothing beats a stroll down a gravel path. If you’re walking on a route that isn’t packed with pea gravel, you’ll sense it immediately. Walking on pea gravel is less taxing on your feet and legs. Even when it rains, pea gravel pathways tend to remain dry. They’re simple to mold into whatever route design you choose, particularly if your path has curved turns. Pea gravel is a wonderful choice for people who want to change up their landscaping often since it’s simpler to replace than pavers or concrete.

Garden of flowers

Flower gardens are lovely additions to any landscape. Pea gravel may be used to create division, tiny pathways, or just as a decorative element in flower beds. Because pea gravel is available in a variety of hues, it creates a neutral background against which your flowers may stand out. They also keep weeds at bay and ensure that your planting areas are well-drained. Pea gravel is also often utilized as a reservoir in garden areas with poor drainage. It maintains the health of your plants by enabling roots to reach oxygen underneath the yard.

Plants in pots

Finally, pea gravel is ideal for use with potted plants. They’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor plants. They may be used as ornamental topping for soil on potted plants at the very least. They maintain the appearance of potted plants clean and orderly. Pea gravel may also be used as a drainage aid for many potted plants that don’t need to be kept wet all of the time. A single layer of pea gravel at the bottom of any container provides sufficient drainage to keep plants from drowning.

Pea gravel costs

Before you start purchasing pea gravel, make sure you have a good idea of how big your project will be. You wouldn’t want to purchase more than you need, just like you wouldn’t want to buy more than you require for anything else. However, since you want your project to be consistent, purchasing less may be an issue if your shop runs out of stock after your first order. You may get pea gravel in a variety of methods. You have the option of purchasing in bulk or not. You may purchase bags of pea gravel for $3-$6 per bag depending on the kind and your area if you don’t want to buy in bulk or if your project is modest enough. You can expect to pay extra for higher-quality pea gravel. A 200-square-foot project may cost anywhere from $300 to $400 on average. Pea gravel bags may be found and purchased at your local home improvement shop. Pea gravel may also be purchased by the yard, which is ideal for larger projects. Because large-quantity wholesalers usually sell at a discount, you’ll save a little money and time. The more pea gravel you purchase, the less it costs. You should also factor in the expenses of gravel transportation and expert installation. Although pea gravel isn’t difficult to use and install, it’s always best to be safe than sorry.

Pea gravel is an excellent source of magnesium, an important mineral for strong bones and teeth. Unfortunately it’s also very expensive, so many folks choose to buy bagged gravel rather than build their own. But should you?. Read more about pea gravel front yard ideas and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do people use pea gravel for?

Pea gravel is used in landscaping to create a natural look. It can also be used as an alternative to sand when creating a path.

Should I put anything under pea gravel?

No, pea gravel is meant to be on top of your soil.

What is the difference between pea pebbles and pea gravel?

Pea gravel is larger than pea pebbles.