Gravel gardening: Less weeding & watering
After successfully installing gravel gardens at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin, Director of Horticulture Jeff Epping installed one in his own front yard.The 50-square-foot garden above was created using 7.8 cubic yards (8.5 tons) of quartzite gravel, which cost about $125. The key to success is to select the right plants, typically those that are drought-tolerant and native to your region. Plants should be spaced about 10 to 18 inches apart. After a few years they’ll form a mass that hides the gravel.
Save water with this DIY rain barrel
How does a gravel garden work?
It’s a simple concept. Before you plant, cover beds with 4 to 5 inches of pea gravel. The gravel allows plants to grow in sharp drainage, which is desirable for many native or drought-tolerant plants. The key to establishing the plants in a gravel garden is to prevent the root balls from drying out until they have a chance to root down below the gravel layer.
Check out this Beautiful Drought-Tolerant Garden Bed
What plants work in a gravel garden?
For his residential gravel garden, Epping chose to include the plants below.