Bark or Gravel ?

[starry]

I am covering bit at the front with ground cover, the black breathable stuff.
My pots and tubs will sit on it and there are two bush kind of tree things already there (you can tell how much I know about gardening can't you )

I like the idea of putting bark down instead of gravel simply because it is easier but is there any reason I should put gravel ?

I don't want to go and lay it all with bark and then find out I should have used stones instead.

Help

[Julia]

I just had the same dilemma, I opted for decorative gravel with a wooden border to hold it all in. I've used bark previously and a lot of it got blown away with the Caithness winds, the weeds can also root in it and in my opinion it's a bit higher maintenance than gravel although probably cheaper.

I just used two ton of gravel costing £30 per ton, well worth the money as I'm really pleased with the result. I used the flat wooden borders from Homebase @ £2.99 for a six foot piece, I cut bamboo down to 10" sticks hammered into the ground to support the wooden border, the gravel supports it from the other side.

[changilass]

Up here I would go for gravel every time. Bark gets blown all over in the wind and goes slimy and horrible in the wet allowing weeds to grow in it.

I would go for gravel every time. If cost is a factor and you like slate, go to the quaries and ask them for prices, I know for us it is working out cheeeper than gravel or bark.

[Torvaig]

Thought the heading said "Bark or grovel"; was going to post "my dog does both"......

(Note to self; make appointment with optician.)

[starry]

Thought the heading said "Bark or grovel"; was going to post "my dog does both"......

(Note to self; make appointment with optician.)

No don't ! What will I laugh at if your not misreading thread titles



£30 per tonne is a lot cheaper than I thought gravel would be.

[Dadie]

gravel stops cats pooping in the area bark looks pretty but can smell earthy and needs topped up more often..

[starry]

I think I need one of those lorries with the little cranes that can lift it over the wall
I was going to get stuck in today but is pouring down. So I will have to make do with a day on the couch instead lol !
Shame eh

[htwood]

Gravel will give less problems, although I find the cats still poop in it, but I spray those spots with bleach. My parent's garden had bark for a few years, it was nothing but trouble with slugs and golachs and blowing onto the paths. And now that the bark is gone, any piece left buried is sprouting mushrooms and going slimy. yicks.

[Dog-eared]

Thurso building supplies ( 894048 ) deliver ton bags of sand so possibly gravel too.
Their lorry has a wee crane to lift over walls.
Dont buy it in sacks as it's very ,very expensive.
Or what about Caithness Flagstone in half inch hardcore. It goes a nice light brown colour and is cheap. Try A&D Sutherland Spittal quarry (841 239 )

[starry]

Thanks Dog-eared I will have a look

[Mik.M.]

Starry, when I used to work for a builders merchant I would lift the bag over the garden and split the bag with a knife,then all the customer had to do was spread it out using a shovel. It makes it so much easier. You will need some of the fabric to lay down first to stop weeds and lay your gravel on. Don`t use plastic as water will pool in it. Mik

[starry]

Starry, when I used to work for a builders merchant I would lift the bag over the garden and split the bag with a knife,then all the customer had to do was spread it out using a shovel. It makes it so much easier. You will need some of the fabric to lay down first to stop weeds and lay your gravel on. Don`t use plastic as water will pool in it. Mik

I have the breathable stuff, it is like black webbing - kind of

Do you think all builders merchants will do that ?