How to convert Gravel Carpark to Gravelv Bed.

biofreak · May 2023

As gravel surrounds our house and weeds like Milk Thistle and Grass thrive on it, I have decided to turn the back of the house into a Gravel Bed, as I have no time to weedkill and feel I can turn the rear garden into an inviting area of herbs and Alpines. The base is Hoggin so no subsoil. How do I set about it? I was going to rake some gravel back and sow some seed covering it lightly with fine soil. Can one plant direct into gravel wi? If so what? It is in full sun all day and I do not want to grow in pots. Location close to sea sheltered by hedgerows SW aspect apps 17square metres to play with.All ideas welcome 🤗

Fairygirl · May 2023

There's several ways of approaching this, and it would depend on how thick the layer of gravel is, and what you want grow.
As you've discovered, plants will seed in and grow quite happily, and you can do that with many plants - Nigella for example, will happily grow when sown into gravel with virtually nothing else below. I have it growing along the side of the extension - in sun, but also the path of the prevailing rain. There's nothing under there but manky clay subsoil and builders' rubble etc. I did a gravel/slab path for access to the front, and the nigella's in the 6 inch wide layer of gravel beside the wall. It seeds into all the spaces between the slabs etc, along with one of the saxifrages I have.

However, if the gravel's quite thick, you could simply sow directly into it- mixing the seed with a little soil/sand, as you would when sowing direct into a bed or border, and then water it. The water will take the mix down far enough to let it take, and then germinate. How well it works will just depend on what you sow.
If the gravel's a very thin layer, you could still do that I have Welsh poppies which germinate and grow in the bits of the path next to the back door steps, as it's just poor ground and the gravel's thin there. If you wanted plants which would need a bit more sustenance, it would be better to rake it back as well as you can, and then add a layer of soil and sow, pulling the gravel back over afterwards, or just making a proper hole and planting something rather than sowing seed.
What you sow will depend on what you like, and whether it suits those situations. Many alpine plants will be happy enough though.

Dovefromabove · May 2023

You could read Beth Chatto’s Gravel Garden … she did exactly that
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/beth-chatto/beth-chatto-s-gravel-garden/9780711214255?msclkid=01fedc45a5761f74ab50b8139d3736f6&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Wob%20-%20GBR%20-%20Bing%20-%20Standard%20Shopping%20-%20GOR%20-%20EN%20-%20XX%20-%20Used%20Books%20-%20SalesRank%3A%20300001%20-%20500000&utm_term=4574999181947100&utm_content=Ad%20group

nutcutlet · May 2023

Beth Chatto prepared the soil really well before she started though

Fairygirl · May 2023

I think it really depends on what's going to be grown @nutcutlet - I agree totally.
You can't just plant shrubs or perennials etc without initial prep. Simple annuals are easier - if the conditions are right, but it could be pretty unsatisfying to have nothing else.
I've altered my back garden, over the last two years, to be a gravel garden, but the prep has still been done before planting. I certainly couldn't just plant directly without that, and it's been hard work because the ground just isn't ideal for many things!

biofreak · May 2023

Thank you so much for your info. Certainly sounds hopeful and ties in with advice at Garden Fair last weekend, where I bought some Alpines and Lavender. Luckily the gravel has worn quite thin in places shôwing a sandy layer beneath which I can rake back as you suggested. Bought some poppies as well which should self seed nicely. Planning to leave area (path)of gravel between plants and lawn with wide winding path between plants and house. Is it too late to sow Nigella etc this year?

Fairygirl · May 2023

I wouldn't have thought it was too late, but it might be best to sow in trays or pots, and then transplant. You should still get flowers which you can leave to self seed. I tend to do that far more than direct sowing, just because it suits my conditions better.
I often don't sow all sorts of plants until about this time of year anyway

Obelixx · May 2023

Beth Chatto converted her visitors' car park to a gravel garden when it became clear she needed more space for coaches and lots of cars. The ground was compacted by all the years of cars, coaches and feet. Knowing it would become a feature, rather than just an easy solution, she and her team spent ages planning thelayout, choosing the plants and then preparing the soil with lots of added goodness.

Once planted, it was watered once to settle them inand then left to its own devices. It's now very beautiful but still requires some maintenance. Her book, "The Dry Garden" is worth a read. I should have photos on an external CD that I can dig out if you'd like @biofreak

Joyce Goldenlily · May 2023

You could alsso use a small pickaxe to dig out some "pot holes" to fill with better soil and plant a few feature plants such as Agaves etc to give interest.

How to convert Gravel Carpark to Gravelv Bed.

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