Wilson Blacktop's Landscaping Tips

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• In Landscaping

How to Upgrade Your Patio with River Gravel

Is your outdoor space an oasis for internal reflection and self-evaluation? Probably not, but a patio can be a great place to unwind after a long day. If your ordinary outdoor space needs a little face lift, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s talk about how to upgrade your patio with river gravel.

Whether you are a rural or suburban home owner, river gravel is sure to revamp the look of your patio and add value and curb appeal to your home. It’s a versatile, natural landscaping material that comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. River gravel stays in place in various weather conditions and maintenance is very low, however it can be power washed if necessary.

River gravel surrounds your patio with natural beauty. It can be placed in concrete as a lasting, impressive feature. In addition to having a beautiful, organic appearance, it’s less costly than other landscaping options – you can choose the type of river gravel that works best with your budget.

To modify your patio, you first need to make the base ready. Get rid of unwanted weeds and vegetation. Remove the top soil, leaving the hardpan. This provides a strong base for your gravel. Then enclose the edges of the patio with an edging material. You can use a 2×4 wood frame or use an edging that becomes part of the landscape such as cement, stone, or brick.

With the enclosure ready, create the design you want for your patio by using the gravel to draw up a pattern for the entire patio. If you prefer not to have a particular pattern, you will simply fill the gravel in naturally as you move from one side of the patio to the other.

Depending on your preference, you can place the stones sideways in wavy patterns, flat in a circular style or design an interlocking spiral pattern. Be sure to group the stones into piles according to color or shape, for easier installation when using a pattern.

Spread the gravel at least 4 inches deep and put 3 inches of concrete on top, then smooth it with a trowel to create an even surface. The gravel should be about 4 inches deep from the bottom of the enclosure. Lastly, place the gravel in the concrete in small parts. Tap the gravel down with a hammer or mallet to ensure they are halfway immersed in the concrete.

You can add a stylish touch by using decorative gravel. Choose from our various colors, shapes and sizes. Organize the rocks by size and color. Keep in mind, the most favorable and comfortable type to walk on is round gravel with no sharp edges or points.

Afterwards, beautify your space with your favorite flowers and potted plants. Don’t forget to add a few pieces of comfortable furniture so you can enjoy your new open-air living room.

To create consistency throughout your yard, carry the river gravel around your home as a replacement for the mulch in your landscaping. Simply clear out the area as described above, use a weed guard fabric and then distribute the loose river gravel over the prepared area. No need to concrete this gravel as it will not be walked on and it needs to remain water permeable for the bushes, flowers, shrubs in your landscape.

So, if you’re planning to spruce up your patio, river gravel is a fantastic material to do just that. It gives your home a sophisticated look at an affordable price.

Wilson Blacktop has tons of river gravel choices. Check out all our landscaping materials at wilsonblacktop.com or stop by. And remember, we deliver!