How to choose the best aggregate

In addition to being used to make beautiful additions to your garden, aggregates can also be used in concrete mixes.

1. Gravel is a durable material and adds strength, making it a mix that is easy to work with. It is typically used for foundations and driveways
2. Crushed stone such as limestone makes a mix perfect for high load bearing and is often used in structural and reinforced concrete
3. Ballast, a blend of gravel and sand, is perfect for those doing DIY as it is easy to apply and can also be used for shed bases and fence posts.

Different areas of landscaping work require different types of aggregate for best results.

Medium sized (14-20mm) gravel options are best used for driveways as they provide stability.

Popular options:

• Golden Gravel
• Polar Ice Gravel
• Granite Chippings

Benefits:

• Your project will be long-lasting
• Size of the gravel means the likelihood of surface water is reduced
• Creates a clean finish for your driveway

Smaller gravel options (10-14mm) work better for paths.

Popular options:

• Gravel
• Plum Slate Chippings
• Limestone Chippings

Benefits:

• Provides a comfortable path to walk on
• Paths look like a defined feature of your garden
• Creates contrast from the rest of your garden

Decorative aggregates can also be great as a simpler ground cover.

Popular options:

• Plum Slate
• Polar Ice
• Golden Gravel

Benefits:

• Moisture of the soil can be retained
• Prevents weed growth
• Adds contrast around planting areas

Making sure that you properly prepare and complete your project means that you will have a durable and low maintenance addition to your garden.

1. Make sure the ground is prepared properly and the area is excavated. Around 100mm depth is recommended for paths and around 150mm for gravel driveways.
2. If you are looking to reduce weed growth, make sure a geotextile membrane is installed over the excavated area. This also helps to improve drainage and reduce surface water.
3. If completing a driveway, make sure to install an MOT Type-1 sub-base. This ensures that the driveway is laid upon a strong foundation and improves the durability. This is important due to the driveway needing to be able to withstand the weight of vehicles.
4. Using materials such as timber sleepers or bricks as edging can help create a polished finish and prevent the aggregate spilling over into the rest of the garden.

• Make sure the gravel is raked on a regular basis to maintain a level surface
• Remove any fallen leaves or unwanted debris with a leaf blower to ensure no aggregate is displaced
• To prevent weeds in the area, use a pre-emergent herbicide or spot treatments if needed
• If areas become a little sparce, top up with more gravel