What is Pea Gravel?
Pea gravel is a versatile filler that can be used to spruce up many areas of your yard. In addition to adding beauty, pebbles can provide functionality too!
The following tips can help you choose the right pea gravel type for your landscaping project. You can save money by buying a bag of pea gravel to see if it will work for you before purchasing larger amounts.
Once you’ve planned your landscaping design, it’s time to lay down the pea gravel. To install this type of stone, first mark out where you’re going to place it and then arrange the pebbles in their pattern.
If you’re going for something more polished, like the kind of landscaping found in front gardens or around pools, hiring a professional can help.
It’s important to remember that there are costs involved with this option: on average, it’ll cost you about $180 worth of pea gravel per project.
Before installing pea gravel, you should have a clear vision of what the finished project will look like.
- You should remove the topsoil and weeds from the surface, as well as any rocks, roots or other debris.
- Finally, you’ll need to remove all the remaining stones from your yard— no matter how big or small. If you’re using pea gravel as a decorative stone, consider replacing it with something else more suitable for mulching (like pine cones).
How much does it cost?
A more textured surface is less expensive and more suitable for areas that are not often walked on. However, smooth pea gravel can cost three times as much and is better suited to large-scale applications.
Pea gravel is most frequently sold in bags by weight, but some manufacturers do sell it loose. You’ll pay between $35 and $50 per cubic yard for this kind of gravel—depending on the color and size of your purchase.
For example, a 50-pound bag of pea gravel covers half a cubic foot—crucial to consider if you are doing landscaping and need the volume estimate. Also: how deep it requires is important; larger areas require more material.
If you require a large quantity of pea gravel, hiring a professional to install it is the best option. Labor costs can range from $14 to $69 per hour, and most suppliers charge an additional fee for this service.
If you do not have any tools to handle this project yourself, it is better to hire a landscaper. The cost of installing pea gravel runs approximately $905 with an average rate of $42 per hour.
Pros and Cons of Pea Gravel Patio
Advantages of Pea Gravel Patio
Here are some of the benefits of choosing pea gravel over other kinds of material. You can buy and install it yourself in a single afternoon.
A pea gravel patio is a great choice if you’re looking for a low-maintenance surface that can be poured directly onto an existing grade and allows you to add color variation without needing edging.
This material comes in many colors, and it’s also reasonably priced.
A pea gravel patio requires only periodic raking and lawn mowing to keep it looking nice. A layer of small stones covers the surface, so weeds cannot grow; in addition, a four-inch depth discourages weed growth by depriving them of sunlight.
However, if you’d like to keep grass out of your patio’s cracks, you can lay down some landscape fabric first.
Because pea-gravel absorbs water, it is a good choice for large areas where rain or irrigation water may collect. This material prevents loose stones from being washed away by the action of running water.
Because of its flexibility, pea-gravel can be used to create many shapes and sizes for patios—you don’t have to worry about making a flat surface with it.
The ground is not stable enough to support heavy patio furniture, so you should pack the gravel tightly and avoid areas where there are large amounts of pea gravel.
A pea-gravel patio is safer than other types of patios for young children because there are no sharp edges on the stones.
Another advantage of pea gravel is that it doesn’t damage your patio furniture. Even though it may not be the best material for a surface on which to put chairs, tables, and other items you want to keep in good shape, it’s still a good choice if you do it right.
If you want to place furniture on a pea-gravel patio, ensure that it’s under six inches of gravel and has a base rock underneath. Failure to take these precautions could cause damage to your furniture.
A pea gravel patio is a perfect choice for a patio because it offers a high-quality surface and an affordable price. While it’s not costly, pea gravel patios are also a good option for a home that wants a low-maintenance backyard. They are inexpensive and durable. If you plan to use your patio for a long time, make sure that it’s protected from extreme weather.
Pea gravel patios are ideal for outdoor spaces. It is also a splendid choice for eco-conscious homeowners because it is environmentally friendly. Pea gravel is naturally a good choice for a patio as the soil underneath. Unlike other materials, pea gravel doesn’t absorb moisture and stays cleaner for longer, which is an important consideration.
Disadvantages of Pea Gravel Patio
While pea gravel is a superb choice for a patio, it can have a few cons.
It is hard to walk on, especially bare feet, and it may shift or stick in the soil.
Unlike paving stones, pea gravel requires little maintenance. Regular raking will keep it in place.
The only other problem with pea gravel is that it can become loose if you place furniture on it. You can counterbalance the shifting of the furniture by placing bricks or landscape fabric around it.
One of the pea gravel drawbacks is that it is not suitable for flat, sloping surfaces. To avoid muddy areas, you must layer pea gravel four inches above the ground.
Another con is that it will get muddy quickly if it rains, which is not suitable for people with allergies. Besides, peas do not attract rodents, so it is not ideal for pets.
We should mention that pea gravel requires frequent sweeping or raking. This can be a very labor-intensive task and results in a discolored surface. This can be a real cons for everyday use and putting furniture on it. After a few months, even the most carefully laid out pea gravel patio is subject to unevenness. You can quickly remedy this issue by cleaning the area once a month.
How to Keep Pea Gravel in Place
Pea gravel can be difficult to keep in place, depending on where you live. It will need to be raked occasionally and may require a hard edging to hold it in place. You can use a 2”x6” cedar board sunk into the ground. It will also prevent the pea gravel from falling into a puddle and causing a hazard.
