Best gravel for borders and how to lay it

[sairejayne]

I am planning on cutting a border into our lawn and having a gravel border. I am not sure which is the best gravel to use. I am not having any plants growing through or will anyone be walking on it. I have heard that cotswolds gravel can got green (yuk!) - which is the best (low maintenance, but still attractive) to use.
Also any advise on how to creat it would be appreciated as I am a bit of a novice.
Thanks!

[timconor]

Hi sairejayne

This is not a difficult task, just a bit back breaking.

Use a lawn edger to create the shape you want. This is the half-moon shaped tool on the end of a handle. Best not to use a spade as this never gives a straight cut. When you have created the shape, lift the unwanted turf and pile this into a hidden corner of the garden as after a while this will become good loam. I would advise that you edge the created shape with either edging stones or attractive bricks. I think that this edging is vital to allow you to neatly cut the edges of the lawn after mowing. Put a layer of weed supressing material in the bottom of the created shape. Dont cut corners here as weeds do love a gravelled area if there is soil directly beneath and buy the best quality that you can afford. Now for the gravel or slate. This is purely a matter of taste and expense. As for going green this is caused by algae and can happen to any gravel or slate. It takes time to form and can be treated with a spray from most garden centres. Bits of advise, the more intricate the design the more difficult to keep neatly cut, dont rush the job, spend as much as you can afford on quality materials.
Hope that this is of use and the best of luck.

Tim

[sairejayne]

Thanks Tim. I only want a simple straight border, so fingers crossed it won't be too hard! Someone suggested a flexible strip for the edge (easy-edge or something). You can pick it up from Wilko's for a few quid. What do you think of this?
Thanks. S

[timconor]

I have tried a similar product product with not very good results. Because of its flexibility it never looks really neat. My favourite is decorative bricks, they are inexpensive, easy to lay and look very tidy.

[tinpotLizzie]

We have a lot of gravel paths in our garden as they are easy to maintain & are very good at letting you know when anyone is about!
Order a delivery of pea shingle from your local builders merchant as this is by far the cheapest way to buy it, especially if you want quite a bit. It will have to be lifted off with a hyab but the large bag makes a fantastic raised bed afterwards when re-filled with soil & compost & you can position it anywhere you want too!