
A ton of pea gravel should cover about 60 square feet at four inches deep, 80 square feet at three inches, and around 120 square feet at 2 inches deep. It depends on how deep your layer of pea gravel is. It can also be purchased by the bag on Amazon or by the cubic yard from your local garden center. How much is a truckload of pea gravel?Ī truckload of pea gravel is typically around $250-500, depending on how much you buy.

Standard gravel, crushed stone, river rock, and decomposed granite are other popular choices. Pea gravel is a top choice and is very versatile. What’s best depends on you and what you want out of your patio. You can also use a honeycomb grid for extra stability. Landscaping fabric and sand or crushed rock (or both) are most common. Pea gravel is a cheap and easy to maintain patio material that can be used on its own or with other elements like stones or cement. Pea Gravel Landscaping FAQ Is pea gravel good for patios? You can use a fire pit area as the centerpiece or an add-on to your pea gravel patio. Photo Credit: “ Grand Flagstone Patio” by Decorative Concrete Kingdom, CC 2.0Ī pea gravel epoxy patio gives you much better support than loose gravel and means more options for outdoor furniture. Use a pea gravel patio border to enhance your existing outdoor space. The same concept applies to a pea gravel path with stepping stones. Looking for some pea gravel inspiration? Check out these ideas for the perfect pea gravel patio.Ī mixed-material patio using smaller gravel and larger decorative stones, like flagstone or bluestone, is a classic landscape design. A sturdy base is especially important for gravel driveways. Start with a heavy tamper to compress any soil underneath, add a sturdy base layer of either crushed rock or sand, layer on about 3 inches of pea gravel, and then tamp down again to make sure everything is compact. Go too deep and the graveled area will sink like quicksand when stepped on, but too shallow and it will quickly become a muddy mess. Next, pea gravel shifts underfoot, so you’ll need to carefully plan how deep your layer will go. This should prevent the growth of weeds and keep cleaning low maintenance. Set yourself up for success by laying down a layer of landscaping fabric before installing the stones so that no stray weeds or nuisance plants find their way into the gravelly mix. Without this, your pea gravel will end up spreading around the yard and causing headaches (and maybe foot-aches).Īlthough pea gravel is easy to maintain in the short term, it can be cumbersome and difficult to clean or replace down the road. Stone pavers, metal edging, or treated lumber are all great options.
#Gravel patio install#
There are a few important things to keep in mind when completing a DIY install with pea gravel.įirst, it travels, so you’ll need to have a solid border or edging material to make sure it stays contained. Pea gravel has tons of uses thanks to its durability, shapeable properties, and classic look. Plus, its gravelly nature means it drains well and is rodent resistant, making it perfect for xeriscaping and an ideal border for a garden or home. Pea gravel also suppresses weed growth and doesn’t decompose like organic mulch so it makes for an effective rock mulch.

The soft texture of the stones makes it great for footpaths. Pea gravel is perfect for everything from walkways and garden borders to patios and driveways. Similar to river rocks, they get their smooth texture from flowing water and are typically found near riverbeds and bodies of water.īecause the small stones are formed by natural weathering, pea gravel comes in all kinds of natural colors, including shades of brown, gray, and white. Pea gravel refers to small, rounded stones about the size of the green vegetable they’re named after. Here’s everything you need to know about transforming your yard by landscaping with pea gravel. They also make for great accents and contrasts to surrounding gardens, flower beds, and planters. Hardscapes include garden paths, patios, sitting areas, and any solid surfaces designed to relieve your lawn from the stresses of foot traffic. Landscaping with pea gravel might be the easiest and most cost-efficient way to add hardscaping that’s both functional and attractive to your yard.

When it comes to landscaping, nothing adds structure and eye-catching appeal like good hardscaping.

These smooth, crushed-rock pebbles are incredibly versatile, easy to install, and require very little maintenance. Looking for a simple way to give your yard a facelift? Landscaping with pea gravel is the perfect solution.
