25/08/2026
I'm going to start posting some Handy Hints that I have learned over the years at my gardens. Enjoy the first one :)
OCD GARDEN MAINTENANCE – HANDY HINT
Gravel in garden beds – low maintenance? Think again.
Gravel is sometimes used in garden beds to stop w**ds and reduce maintenance. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way.
W**d seeds blow in and grow amongst the gravel, while existing w**ds can also find their way through from underneath. Once they become established, removing them can be a very time-consuming job.
Machinery isn't always an option either, particularly around windows where flying stones can cause damage. Spraying will kill the w**ds, but it doesn't remove them - and sooner or later, more will grow.
What I would do instead?
For garden beds, I generally prefer a suitable wood mulch such as pine bark, or even better in the right situation, planting groundcovers that will eventually cover much of the bare soil and leave less room for w**ds to establish.
Choose the right groundcover for the position and it can look good, protect the soil and make the garden easier to manage.
I'd rather prune back a healthy groundcover than spend hours pulling w**ds out of gravel.
Gravel certainly has its place - a properly maintained driveway is a good example. But as a long-term solution for stopping w**ds in garden beds, it's something I'd think carefully about.
OCD Garden Maintenance – Handy Hints
Practical gardening advice from what I see out in my gardens every day.
