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What to put under decorative stones
Laid correctly, decorative stones not only create interest and a stunning focal point for a garden, but they can benefit your plot in several ways
If you install your stones after careful preparation beforehand, they’ll help your plants to thrive.
That’s because decorative stones can play a part improving drainage, especially in areas which get a lot of water such as those which are low-lying.
They’re a fantastic way to prevent root rot and waterlogging, and they can also help to keep the temperature of the soil warmer in winter, and cooler in summer, by acting as a protective barrier.
Key to this efficacy is taking careful consideration about what to put under garden stones.
If they’re not laid properly, then these benefits will be lost.
That’s why it’s worth asking the question ‘what do you put under decorative stones?’ before you start the work.
Can you put stones directly onto soil?
It’s not a good idea to place decorative aggregates directly onto soil as they’re likely to become loose and messy.
At the very least, you should install a landscaping fabric or weed membrane to prevent weeds from popping up.
To do this, you need to roll out the material and make it as flat as possible.
Then, once you’ve secured it around the edges – you can do this with wooden stakes - you then place a thin layer of sand on the top.
This forms the base for your aggregate.
What do you put under garden stones for even greater stability?
Well, you can install a gravel grid.
This will stabilise the stones, and help them to stay in place.
Gravel grids are made of reinforced strips of hard plastic so they are permeable, weatherproof, and won’t rot.
They’ll also help you achieve even coverage.
All you have to do is layer the grid over the landscaping fabric or weed membrane again to ensure that weeds don’t sprout between the aggregate.
How do I prepare the ground for decorative stone?
Even before we contemplate the question ‘what goes under garden stones?’, it’s necessary to ensure the area is cleared of any obstructions.
That means removing any furniture and debris loose stones, plants – that sort of thing.
You need the surface to be as even as possible before you start the work.
This is called ‘grading the area’ and means levelling it out so the rocks you place there will stay where you want them to.
You can use a rake or shovel to create your even surface.
It’s a good idea too to use a weed killer before you lay the weed membrane to minimise the chance of any weed growth between the gaps in the decorative stones.
For the next stage, you can add a layer of soil.
If you’re looking for answers to ‘what do you put under stones in the garden?’ then this is prep you don’t want to miss as it will help to secure the rocks, and will also provide nutrients for your plants.
You can lay sand, or stone dust, as the base or if you need the base to work harder – because the terrain is wetter or looser - then a gravel or crushed stone base can be effective and decorative.
If you’re creating a rockery feature, you can add different types of decorative stone to ramp up the drama!
How deep should decorative stone be?
It’s advised to lay your aggregate at least 40-50mm in depth, although this depends upon the type of stone being used.
You may want to lay it deeper if the stones are large.
If you need advice, about depth then the experts at Forward Builders’ Supplies are here to help you.
How much aggregate do I need?
The amount can be calculated by measuring the length and width of your space.
Then, multiply those figures together to work out the area in square metres. For example, a garden that is three metres by five metres is 15m². A single bag should cover about 10 m².
If you need to know more about what to put under stones in garden, then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We have a fantastic selection of decorative aggregates for you to explore, from on-trend slate to more traditional Scottish cobbles.
We’re confident you’ll find what you are looking for.
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