Stone chips OR paving slabs to cover small garden at front

ailey

Has anyone tried stone chips then moved onto paving slabs for their garden? Just thinking that the stone chips would constantly have weeds growing even with the weed prevention material underneath, in relation to seeds getting blown about and lodging in the chips. I'd appreciate any advice thanks.

Hasbeen

ailey said:

Has anyone tried stone chips then moved onto paving slabs for their garden? Just thinking that the stone chips would constantly have weeks growing even with the weed prevention material underneath, in relation to seeds getting blown about and lodging in the chips. I'd appreciate any advice thanks.

Personally would not put slabs in a front garden. You would eventually get weeds growing through the joins, water would have to go somewhere and they look very concretey. LOL

Some good weed prevention and quality quartz type chips laid to 100mm is what I would do.

Yes you will get surface weeds from seeds, but a few minutes pulling up from chips at that depth is no problem.

But everyone is different.

ailey

We have a hedge so any water would run under there and prevent any problems with drainage. A previous neighbour put down stone chips in her garden a lot of years ago and it was too difficult for her to maintain so just got very overgrown. That's what's put me off using the stone chips as we don't like gardening so would never keep up with the weeding. I like the look of the paving and just having to brush it. I did ask the person who gave us a quote if weeds would be likely to grow in between the slabs but he said that he would use something which would prevent that happening and that it's guaranteed for 10 years. I can't remember what it's called though.

I'm still not decided which way to go but I think I prefer the look of the slabs for long term.......without weeds lol. Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated!

Just wondering if anyone would advise against using the stone chips re the weed problem?

JulieM

My neighbour has stone chips and weeds are coming through all the time, however the weeds are easy to pull out if you don't let them get too big. Don't forget though that stone chips need raking regularly to keep them looking tidy. I wouldn't have stone chips in a front garden as they'll spill out onto the pavement and you'll be forever brushing them back. You shouldn't get many weeds growing between slabs, and if you do, then there are tools to remove them.

Davesnave

It's not an 'either or,' because it can be both. If it's a small garden, the amount of labour saved or expended will be minimal anyway. Do what you like the look of best.

Be aware though that front gardens tell the observant passer-by much about the people who live behind the front door. The garden may say:"We take pride in our environment," or "We don't care if our place looks barren" and all points in-between.

Of course, there are exceptions, but even disabled people where I live seem to get a few bright flowers into the mix somehow, and it's the able-bodied who knock the front wall down and park two 4x4 trucks and 4 wheelie bins!

Silvertabby

If you do go for the chips, don't use the small ones.  Too much like kitty litter.

[Deleted User]

We laid chippings 20mm in some parts of our rear garden two years ago and so far no weeds, we did lay a good quality breathable membrane first and now considering growing some alpines along the birders of it. We have a flagged patio laid by the previous owner and always having to spray weedkiller between the flags

Katiehound

and I was going to make the same comment as Silvertabby, as above.
 I have pea gravel in my teeny front garden and yes, cats like squatting there! Equally I have bark chippings in the back... and same problem!! Two resident dogs don't seem to be a detterent

-taff

Maybe do a mix of both, or have a path with some bound gravel [ looks nice to me]

twopenny

Weeds will grow wherever and whatever. Just less with well fitted slabs.

To improve the look the house I bought has slabs for the gravel and chippings at the border. I was going to change it but it is very easy care and easy to walk on. I've cut through the liner in the gravel and planted lavenders, pinks and ferns. Even a large rose. They seem to like the moisture retained under the covered parts and soften the stonework.

Weeding is minimal there and they pull up easily. Depends on how many weeds your neighbours grow!