In relentless destruction, all remains were obliterated. If even a tiny piece of vine weed persisted, it would be eternal: A glimpse into the merciless realm of the gravel yard garden
Creating and Maintaining a Gravel Garden: Expert Advice
Gravel gardens, a popular choice for low-maintenance landscaping, have gained popularity in the UK in recent years. These gardens, which originated from the radical and experimental works of Beth Chatto and Derry Watkins in the early 1990s, can be found in various estates and properties across the country.
Emily Erlam, a designer, recently created a gravel garden at a farmhouse on the Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire. Using local soil and a mulch of sand and gravel, she designed a garden that showcases the beauty of these minimalist landscapes.
However, creating and maintaining a gravel garden requires careful consideration and adherence to expert advice.
Site Preparation
Contrary to popular belief, removing all topsoil is not universally recommended. In fact, Beth Chatto Gardens advises against using weed membrane beneath gravel, suggesting that maintaining soil access for weeding is more effective. This approach allows for better long-term weed management, avoiding the potential issues that may arise from membrane deterioration and unsightly edges.
Growing Substrate
Good drainage is crucial for a gravel garden. This often involves using gravel as a mulch or surface layer over well-prepared soil. Incorporating sand and gravel can improve soil structure and drainage, which is essential for gravel gardens as the plants used typically prefer well-drained conditions to avoid root rot. Organic matter is usually limited in gravel gardens to maintain the dry, low-nutrient conditions they mimic.
Installation
Creating a level, firm base is essential for a gravel garden. This base should be compacted if necessary to prevent shifting and unevenness in the gravel layer. While some sources recommend landscape fabric beneath gravel for weed suppression, Beth Chatto's experience suggests that not using a membrane allows for better long-term weed management by facilitating manual removal.
Maintenance
Maintenance involves periodic topping up of gravel, especially in high-traffic areas, as gravel settles or shifts over time and may need replenishing every 1-3 years depending on usage. Regularly removing weeds is essential; gravel gardens are naturally prone to weed seeding due to the open, sunny conditions and lack of dense organic mulch. Watering and fertilising are generally minimal, as gravel garden plants are usually drought-tolerant and adapted to low soil fertility.
In summary, creating and maintaining a gravel garden requires careful site preparation, choosing suitable substrates for good drainage and plant growth, and ongoing maintenance practices mindful of weeds and gravel condition. For more information on gravel gardens, visit the websites of Beth Chatto Gardens (www.bethchatto.co.uk) and Emily Erlam (www.erlamstudio.com).
A gravel garden, being a popular choice for low-maintenance landscaping, can enhance a home-and-garden lifestyle by showcasing the beauty of minimalist landscapes, as demonstrated by Emily Erlam's recent gravel garden design at a farmhouse on the Chatsworth estate. However, to create and maintain a successful gravel garden, careful site preparation is necessary, such as avoiding the removal of all topsoil and using soil access for weeding instead of a weed membrane, as advised by Beth Chatto Gardens. Additionally, the installation process should focus on creating a level, firm base and using organic matter sparingly to maintain the dry, low-nutrient conditions characteristic of gravel gardens.
