Pea Gravel and Clay Soil
Monique Miller
2 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Path: Thin layer of crushed gravel on compact clay?
Comments (13)I just think you would find that that construction method does not hold up--especially for heavy-ish objects on wheels.The fact that it would be over the compacted clay affects how the path handles water and so the thin layer that you describe will not necessarily compact together properly, as I understand it. So one point might be, if you are just trying to have a path that has some gravel showing here and there and you like the texture combo rather than just hardpacked dirt, it may be that no special kind of gravel is needed because--and I am not an expert here--you have bypassed the construction methods that promote the behavior of DG as packing and interlocking particles. If you were just aiming for a footpath to avoid mud, I would say that it is possible to make informal stepstone or paver paths with less rather than more preparation than is often recommended--again that is allowing for lower expectations for aesthetics and stability; but for rolling wheelbarrows and garbage cans, you need more width than a step-stone type path. Maybe it is because I take to heart your proposed dimensions--1/4-1/2 inch thick is not very much! I believe that some apparently well-worn hiking trails actually have additional gravel added over time for this very reason. Plus if you have hiked after a rain and after the park rangers have driven through you will see the ruts with standing water and mud. One concern I have is that adding the very thin layer may actually change the clay to be more of a weed substrate than before, because now the soil may become more porous and aerated instead of being relatively inhospitable. When you say "easy to hoe," I think, hoeing is so disruptive, it will make it worse, and then how does it end up looking better than just a beaten path? But what I hear you saying is, you would like the look of a gravel-ish path. So maybe if your expectations for better function are low and you like the aesthetics of a gravel-ly path, it is right for you. This is a long way of saying I have not made a path like this with good long-term results....See MoreRoots of plants growing out through bottom of pots???
Comments (3)Some of my marginals seem to get pot-bound really quickly. But if we're going to keep them in reasonably-sized containers, I think they just have to live sort-of pot-bound. I think they're putting their energy into making roots, rather than growing upwards. What did you fertilize them with? I would just leave them alone and use fertilizer that promotes top growth, rather than root growth. I think that means nitrogen more than phosphate....but I'm not sure. Plants seem to do what they need to do, so maybe you took too many roots away and left too much top growth when you repoted?? I say just leave it alone for awhile and the top will eventually start growing again....See MorePath of thin layer of fine gravel on compact clay
Comments (3)Hi there, We did this around our potager. We dug down about 3-4 inches to level, used a hand tamper to compact and laid lanscape fabric to suppress weeds. It's held up nicely for four years so far. Few weeds root in the gravel, but easy to pull. We haven't had to top up the gravel yet, but may do so in a year or two. As to what to use, this terminology seems to differ by region. I've heard it called crusher run, road mulch, etc. You can ask for 'quarter inch minus" which means a mix of larger pieces (but no larger than 1/4" plus fines and small stuff). You do NOT want pea gravel or anything too large which is shifty underfoot and a pain to drive wheelbarrow through, etc. HOpe that helps....See MorePea Gravel...
Comments (3)Leave the gravel and build boxes for raised gardens. They are easier to work in and you can just add great soil without having to deal with the pea stone or the clay. more kid ideas... 1. Sunflower Houses: This is my number one pick. You can use sunflowers to create a rectangular or square section for the house. Once the sunflowers grow to almost full height you can take string and tie the tops together to form a string âÂÂroofâ then morning glories can be grown up the sunflowers until they reach the string and fill in the roof. 2. A garden tee-pee: This is similar to the sunflower house in concept. You put wooden poles in the ground and angle them to form a tee-pee. Make sure it is big enough for kids to pay inside. Then plant vines like morning glories, beans, and gourds so that the walls will fill in with vegetation. Guide the vines at first to make sure that an entrance is left open for little bodies to crawl through. 3. Try a Moon Garden: Instead of making a tee-pee with plants that flower during the day, you can also grow a moon garden and use plants that flower at night. Then the kids can spend some evenings outdoors looking at the stars and fireflies. Moonflowers would be perfect to climb the tee-pee walls and for around the perimeter you could plant evening primrose and four-o-clocks. 4. Grow some unique and whimsical plants. What kids wouldnâÂÂt like to grow some bleeding hearts, sunflowers, or gourds that can be hollowed out to make bird houses and musical instruments? Let them pick out the plants that appeal to them. 5. Make a rainbow: Have the kids help you pick out flowers or herbs in the 6 different rainbow colors⦠red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Plant them in curving rows with gravel or rocks between each row. When they bloom you will have a rainbow! 6. Create a fairy garden: Use twigs and sticks that have fallen from nearby trees to make fairy houses and furniture. Use tempera paints to give them color and texture. You can even use one half of fallen nuts to make little boats for them too. 7. Make a Pizza Patch! Carve out a circular section for this one and divide it into sections or slices. In each section grow a different pizza ingredient like tomatoes, garlic, onions, oregano, basil, rosemary, etc. When harvest time comes go out together and gather your ingredients and make pizza from scratch together. This can be cooked or raw pizza. 8. Build a worm box: Worms are an important part of any garden. They help us recycle waste into compost and by building a worm box or house you can get lots of wonderful compost and feed the worms your kitchen scraps. You can build your own worm box or buy one and it is a great scientific experiment for kids to be a part of....See More
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoMonique Miller thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱Monique Miller
2 years agoThanks for the ideas. We are in Pocatello. We are in the city but our septic is not with the city for some reason. Apparently they will add us at some point. I asked around and no one knew why the gravel was there other than landscaping. My husband says all our lines run from the road directly under our house. This is at the side of our driveway.
I have a potted hydrangea there right now. I was hoping to plant it there as I realized it would not survive the winter in a pot. It's not looking very good due to the heatwave we've had for the past 2 months. This corner is the only place that gets a bit of afternoon shade. I realize I cannot plant it there now but was looking for ideas on what might be possible without taking all the gravel out. Of there is some sort of pipe would I have hit it before I get to the dirt?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years agomarmiegard_z7b
15 days agorosaprimula
13 days ago
PROH2 XERO Landscape Design
13 days ago
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