Saturday, January 9, 2010

UP TO THE HOUSE

Stone or gravel up to the house. First view, Scotland, almost 2 decades ago during a landscape study trip. I GOT IT !!!! Not during college, not during any symposium had anyone, ANYONE, said to put stone or gravel up to the house. I've been doing it ever since.
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Oddly, I've only recently done it for myself. Days ago. Why did I wait so long? Cobblers child?
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Shot pea gravel, above, $20/ton. #89 granite gravel is gray and slightly larger than shot pea gravel. Voila, color choice!!
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An idea for Manse & Caretakers Cottage.
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Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
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9 comments:

Terry said...

Where are you getting gravel? Delivered price?

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

We were discussing redoing our driveway recently and wondered it this would work. We both love the look!

Tara Dillard said...

Completing a job now in Peachtree City, GA. Found a place in Alabama with $20/ton shot pea gravel. Delivery, $100.

Locally, Stone Forest, $49/ton + $107 delivery to my garden in Stone Mountain. UGH.

Pamela, if the slope is acceptable get your gravel!!!

XO T

Unknown said...

I have always loved gravel. It can sure get hot though if you're not careful to include lots of cooling elements like greenery in pots. It's such a classic clean sophisticated look.

Devon said...

I love the look of gravel. Are there ever any problems with weeds popping through the gravel? How do you handle?

Tara Dillard said...

Yes, weeds with gravel.

Easily controlled.

Use a hoe, after a rain, when weeds are tiny (early in the season). Catch them then & rest of the season is done. Let a weed flower & it's Mother-of-millions.

Or use a vinegar/water spray to kill young weeds.

Or use pre-emergent.

Do Not Use landscape fabric. Humus forms on top within a year creating perfect environment for weeds.

The older your gravel terrace/drive/path the more compaction created & the fewer weeds you'll have.

XO T

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'm big on gravel as well as rocks. Much rather have gravel than grass.
Brenda

Rob (ourfrenchgarden) said...

Hi Tara

The gravel frequently used over here is called 'castine'.

It's light in colour, almost cream and usually comes mixed with a little sand which helps compaction.

Verbena bonariensis loves to seed itself into it, a little too ambitiously but I love it.

home before dark said...

In the beginning my gravel paths were for drainage and I always thought I would put decorative gravel on top when the bull work was done. I keep reading about your preference for pea gravel and looking at my garden and shaking my head. Now I understand that if I want pea gravel, I'll need to make terraces in my path to keep gravel and gravity at bay. Finally I understand!