When it comes to landscaping, there are few materials as versatile and desirable as gravel. Although you may initially think of gravel as nothing more than small, gray rocks, the aggregate materials is actually manufactured from a wide range of different stone types, including limestone, trap rock, granite and gneiss.
This means that the stone is available in numerous colors, and each type has something special to offer its users. In addition to being beautiful, gravel is purposed throughout the landscape in order to meet a variety of practical functions.
On top of everything else, gravel is extremely affordable and budget-friendly. Although you’re excited to dive in and start upgrading your backyard with gravel right away, you can’t do anything until you have some solid gravel landscaping ideas. Here’s a look at five of our favorites:
1. Design a Unique Patio Space
Although natural stone, poured concrete and concrete pavers are frequently selected for the construction of backyard patios, gravel is growing in its acceptance and popularity. Gravel offers a lot in terms of creative freedom and styling.
The material can easily be poured into any shape or design layout, making it fun and easy for you to establish an outdoor living space that suits your every need and desire. With a variety of different aggregate materials to choose from, you’re sure to find gravel that brings out the best in all of your landscaping features.
This can all be done while still establishing a warm, relaxing and inviting place to share a meal outdoors with your family. Your gravel patio will never become flooded because gravel helps water to percolate naturally and steadily back into the groundwater supply rather than pooling. It’s weather-resistant and it will hold up when subject to sunlight, rain, snow and even hail.
2. Help Your Plants to Thrive
While most people know that bark and wood chips can be used as mulch around flower beds, gardens and other vegetation, many fail to realize that gravel can be used just as effectively! We love the look of gravel as an alternative to traditional mulch.
Whether you select a crushed stone that features jagged or irregular edges, or aggregate that is smooth and round, you’ll fall in love with the stunning textures and dimensions that are created around the plants that you love so much. This material will highlight the different colors of your vegetation and will really make your property stand out from others in the neighborhood.
In addition to looking fantastic, gravel is also known for its ability to promote healthy percolation and drainage. When you combine this talent with its ability to block out excess rays of sunlight, you’re left with a material that is fully capable of regulating soil temperatures and moisture levels so that your plants are able to grow and thrive in optimal conditions.
Because gravel doesn’t break down or decompose over time, you won’t need to change it out regularly as you would with other mulching materials. It also won’t attract critters, insects, or other pests to your backyard. What’s not to love?
3. Enhance Water Features
Gravel looks amazing when it’s placed around the different water features that are so prevalent in NJ backyards. The soft and natural colors that are associated with stone aggregate are a spectacularly beautiful contrast to the shades of blue that are found in water.
Take above-ground swimming pools for instance. You can surround the swimming pool with gravel in order to give it a more permanent and sophisticated appearance while also helping to keep the pool stable and in-place so that you and your family can get the most enjoyment out of it.
Gravel can also be very beautiful when it’s used in and around water fountains or water falls. As the water trickles over and through the rocks, you’ll find yourself soothed and entranced. Those who have ponds in their back yards won’t be disappointed by gravel’s ability to act as a substitute for sand when creating a beach.
Not only is the beautiful gravel soft and comfortable to walk on, but it also will help to prevent shoreline erosion from occurring over time so that you can experience the beauty of the pond in the many years to come. You might also consider using gravel in reflection pools or in the construction of dry river beds which are elegant while promoting excellent drainage for your yard.
4. Surround Your Fire Pit
Fire pits are growing in their popularity throughout NJ and the Tri-State area. The great thing about a fire pit is that it can be enjoyed all throughout the year.
It acts as a focal point or a centerpiece in your backyard. It’s also a place where you and your loved ones can gather on a star-filled night in order to enjoy each other’s company and create memories that will last a lifetime.
You can take your fire pit to the next level by choosing to surround the area with attractive and practical gravel. Gravel of all styles and colors can compliment the beauty of the natural stone or manufactured concrete fire pit of your choosing.
Because gravel is non-combustible and non-heat retaining, you’ll be able to rest assured that you and your family will always be able to make use of your fire pit safely and comfortably. Gravel is a loose-fill material which makes it very easy and affordable to create a circular, rectangular, or even irregularly shaped seating area around the dancing flames, so feel free to use your imagination!
5. Keep Everything Connected
When you’ve got more than one area of your backyard that you love, it’s important to keep everything connected. After all, you want it to be as simple as possible to get from your beautiful patio space to the inviting waters of your swimming pool, and you want to be able to hop out of your swimming pool and walk over to your colorful flower gardens where you can meditate in peace.
We love the look of backyards that use gravel when designing and installing beautiful and functional paths or walkways which work to connect all of the different aspects of the landscape.
Gravel is soft and comfortable to walk on and is very easy and affordable to install and maintain. You’ll continue to fall in love with both the look and feel of your paths.
Where to Buy Gravel in NJ
We’re good for a whole lot more than just killer gravel landscaping ideas. As the largest and most trusted gravel supplier in NJ, we’ve helped countless customers throughout the Tri-State area make their landscaping dreams come true.
We carry a massive inventory of gravel in a variety of sizes, colors and styles depending on your unique needs. Our team of experts is more than happy to discuss your plans with you and to help point out the right type of gravel to get the job done.
All of our materials are available at competitive, wholesale prices so that you can stay on track with your budget. Our gravel can be picked up at your convenience or can be bulk delivered to areas throughout parts of NJ, NY, NYC and PA.
