Pea shingle or bark?

[Paulines7]

We are proposing to make a large patio area outside our new summerhouse and this will be paved.  In front of what will be the new patio is a grassed area (about 4m x6m) with several specimen flowering shrubs spaced about a metre or so apart. 

My OH has begun taking up the grass turfs but we are unsure whether to fill the area with bark or to lay some weed repellant and then put shingle on top.  The grass is full of weeds, in particular yarrow and bindweed.  Although pretty, they seem to suffocate the shrubs.  Where the turfs have been removed, I have carefully removed any perennial roots that have entwined themselves in the roots of the shrubs.  I have only done five of them so far.

The grass has definitely got to come out but my question is what would require less maintenance in the long run, bark or shingle?  We have a very large garden and are both in our 60's so the less work for future years the better. 

The problem with bark is that the birds throw it everywhere and there are likely to be a lot of weeds coming up. Shingle, I imagine would be more manageable and I could always plant some scree type plants such as thyme, in between the shrubs.

What do you think please and is there something I haven't thought of? 

[Paulines7]

[taurus]

Only talking to the other half this morning on this very subject.  Like you we're both in our 60s now and my other half hates gardening.  Since my accident 2 years ago I'm not coping and want to put in more raised beds down the bottom of the garden.  Theres an area of lawn with 2 fair sized cherry tree's in.  I wan't to keep the tree's and cover the lawn.  I'm all for the shingle because I think the wood chips will rot down over time and I don't Know what long term effect it might have on the trees, or what the cats might use it for.   Plus I feel the rain will perculate down to the tree roots more easily.   So I to would be interested in any pro or cons people may provide on this subject.

[daveylamp993]

I would use pea shingle,but ensure you have a good quality weed suppressant membrane,the cheap stuff from Wilkinson's rots away after 2 or 3 years,so you have lots of weeds coming through after that,and may have to dig it out and start again,if you use bark chippings all the cats in the district will find it and use it as a public toilet,they don't seem so keen on doing their business on pea shingle,i hope this helps

[Palustris]

Either way, even with the best weed membrane in the world the weeds will come through. Remove the turf, remove as many weed roots as you can, then leave the soil bare (ugly I know ) then use a translocatable weed killer on the weeds you missed. THEN when the soil is clean, put down the membrane and gravel.  A nuisance, but in the long run, better than trying to get rid of the weeds as they lift the membrane. I know, been there, done that, filled the swear box.

[ACE]

Gravel would be best as it will last for years, but from experience use a larger grade gravel. Pea gravel gets everywhere and gets trodden down other paths and even indoors. Lay some soft sand on top of the membrane before you spread the gravel, it helps to keep it in place

[taurus]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.  Will add bags of gravel to the christmas list as I don't see it being done this year.  Now all we have to do is agree which colour gravel 

[Palustris]

Buying gravel in bulk is a lot cheaper. Compare the price for a 1 ton load with how much it would cost to buy it in 25 kg bags.

[Paulines7]

Thank you for your replies. 

I am not keen on using weedkiller so will rely on the membrane, sand and gravel.  Even the large sized gravel looks good where OH has made paths around the new greenhouse.  I really must take some pics and put them up here. 

To get decorative chips would be far too expensive for such a large area.  We have some 850kg jumbo bags of sand, gravel and pea shingle left from the greenhouse project but may have to order some more.  Perhaps if we placed some strategic paving slabs amongst the gravel we would not have to tread on the gravel or pea shingle so much and it would not get everywhere. 

Buying gravel in bulk is a lot cheaper. Compare the price for a 1 ton load with how much it would cost to buy it in 25 kg bags.

We compared prices before we ordered from Wickes and they were definitely cheaper than anywhere else.  Each of their bulk bags weigh .9 of a ton. We didn't buy 25kg bags.  We ordered 4 bulk bags each of shingle, gravel and sharp sand, one of builders sand and 200 breeze blocks.  It took 2 lorries to deliver it all!  The delivery charge is expensive, about £25, but then they only charge £38.24 for each bulk bag of aggregates.  Many other places charge about £80 for the same size bag. 

OH has just informed me that he would want to plant bulbs and some other plants between the shrubs.  I presume we would have to make holes in the weed suppressant so is it worthwhile putting a membrane down or should we just have sand and gravel? 

[ACE]

Yes you will still need the membrane if you want to make the area low maintenance. Now for a design tip. Leave an odd number of slabs out of the main patio area to plants some nice shrubs in, then as you get to the outer areas of the patio start staggering the slabs getting bigger and bigger  gaps between them, try not to have a straight edge and fill the gaps with your gravel. Then a random staggered path through the area should finish it off. Plant ornamental grasses for interest and movement. If you have bindweed already, you will need to kill it as it will travel under the membrane until it finds a hole where you have your shrubs and up it pops.

[Digeroo]

There is one big problem with gravel.  It is a total no no if you have a wheelchair. 

[Palustris]

Gosh, you are paying a lot for your gravel. I got a ton bag for £43 including delivery from a local company to us. Cheaper still if it was delivered loose.

[Paulines7]

Gosh, you are paying a lot for your gravel. I got a ton bag for £43 including delivery from a local company to us. Cheaper still if it was delivered loose.

Wickes price of £38.24 for a bag weighing almost 1 ton is about what you paid!  We also got a discount on the whole lot as they had a special offer on when we ordered. This more than paid for the delivery. 

There is one big problem with gravel.  It is a total no no if you have a wheelchair.

I have a mobility scooter and OH has laid gravel paths around the greenhouse.  He has compacted it well and I will have no trouble driving over it should I need to.   I won't be driving on the pea shingle area.

Yes you will still need the membrane if you want to make the area low maintenance. Now for a design tip. Leave an odd number of slabs out of the main patio area to plants some nice shrubs in, then as you get to the outer areas of the patio start staggering the slabs getting bigger and bigger  gaps between them, try not to have a straight edge and fill the gaps with your gravel. Then a random staggered path through the area should finish it off. Plant ornamental grasses for interest and movement. If you have bindweed already, you will need to kill it as it will travel under the membrane until it finds a hole where you have your shrubs and up it pops.

Ace, we don't want shrubs in the main patio area as we want plenty of room for tables and chairs for when the family visit.  We may put some plants in pots outside the summerhouse as they can be moved if more space is required.  A random staggered path through the adjacent pea shingle area is a good idea.  I have some bamboo that I am thinking of moving as it sets off the security light where it is.  It doesn't seem to be the invasive type.

I will take some photos of our projects today.

[Paulines7]

The summerhouse 4m x 4m.  Erected by my OH in the last 7 months.



The area immediately in front of the summerhouse and where there is a garden fork and wheelbarrow, will have paving stones.



The part showing the bare earth where the turfs have been removed and the area behind it will form part of the shingle garden.



Our biggest project, the greenhouse.  Because of the slope, my OH had to dig to a depth of 3 ft at the rear so he could have a level base.  He dug it all by hand and turned down my offers to hire a digger and driver.  I did have to help steady the sides during the erection of the frame.   

[willsy]

I love the summer house and wow what a brilliant greenhouse. It;s going to look lovely when it is all finished.