A gravel bed offers numerous advantages. Not only does such a stone bed always look clean and attractive, with the right planting it is anything but a stone desert. Instead, the contrast between the colorful flowers and the gravel creates an exciting contrast - which is also very easy to care for. After all, weeds don't stand a chance in a properly laid out gravel bed.
Gravel and flowers go wonderfully together
Creating a gravel bed - step by step
All you need to create a gravel bed is gravel and a sufficiently large weed fleece.(21.70€) Proceed as follows:
- Choose a suitable location.
- This should be as sunny and dry as possible.
- The soil must not be compacted and not too wet.
- Mark out the planned bed.
- Dig a pit 15 centimeters deep.
- Fill them with the excavation, which you have mixed with compost and sand.
- Carefully remove roots and other plant debris.
- Now apply the weed control mat.
- Spread the gravel evenly over it.
possible variations
Gravel comes in many different varieties. With different colored gravel, for example, whole mosaics can be designed, which only get the right kick with a planting. It becomes elegant with white or gray gravel, where the contrast to colorful flowers is of course particularly great. In addition, such a bed can be decorated not only with flowers, but also with objects - clay jugs, for example, which complement the arrangement as if by chance.
Select and plant plants
For a gravel bed, you should choose plants that can cope well with sun and drought. Perennials such as lavender, sage, thyme and verbena are wonderful, but so are yarrow, soapwort and holy herb. The ensemble can be supplemented with subshrubs and shrubs, with grasses and groundcovers. The plants are placed in the bed as follows:
- Clear away the gravel at the intended planting site.
- Cut the weed fleece crosswise.
- Dig a planting hole.
- Put the plant in and press it down well.
- Replenish the pebble layer.
- Water thoroughly.
In the period that follows, don't forget to water regularly and, if necessary - to fertilize - depending on the type of flower planted. The latter is made much easier by long-term fertilizers that are already applied during planting.
tips
Clean the gravel regularly with the water hose as the stones get dirty quickly. After a few years, they also have to be replaced because they weather.