Pebbles for a Japanese Garden?

[Bartman]

I know I could probably Google this, but I'm too tired to dig through all the result.

You know the Japanese Gardens that have pebbles or gravel all raked into patterns around big boulders or sometimes just raked into a flat area?  What kind of rock is that?  Do you think something like 3/8" pea gravel could serve that purpose?

When the concrete guys are finished pouring the new sidewalk and patio I'm left with a few spots that will need ground cover.  I don't want to put in grass since they are just strip areas and rather annoying to deal with grass in.  Yet, they are big enough that I could begin the makings of a Japanese Garden.

I'd like to use the pea gravel since it is cheap, but also want to keep the proper look so I'm interested in any LOW maintenance solutions to that end.

Thanks for any ideas.

Bart

[Jerry]

The soft edges of river pebbles really enhnace the landscaping.. About 5.00 a bag here. I need to check on the weight of the bag, my guess is 40 pounds or more

[whis4ey]

Over here I use limestone or marble chippings for my Zen Garden (you know ...  the sort of thing that builders use for pebble dashing buildings)
I am told that in the States the obvious alternative is what is called 'turkey grit'
The ideal is something around an 8mm stone ...  light enough to rake but heavy enough not to be blown away (sand would be too light)
If your pea gravel is around this size it would be ideal

[LeeAnne151]

Are you going to walk on the gravel?

Pea gravel is rounded and it is hard to walk on. There are gravels that are equally as cheap that have been crushed somewhat so they have sharp edges and they pack down a bit and are easier to walk on.

[Bartman]

No, this is not to walk on. 

9mm is about 3/8" which is easily available here very cheap.  Very nice garden.  For now I'll be starting with just the gravel and build on that.  This is not a main area, but it does need something other than the dirt that was left after the concrete removal.

I also have access to the crushed gravel which is what I think LeeAnne is referring to.  Small little chips of stone with sharp edges.  Packs down.

Sounds like the 3/8" is what I want unless it was to walk on then not, but this is just to rake and look good!

Thanks.

Bart

[LeeAnne151]

I think pea gravel is prettier than crushed gravel if you aren't walking on it. Even in my 6 x 8 greenhouse it is a pain to walk on. I should have gotten crushed.

[whis4ey]

My 8mm should have read 3 mm (oops :'()
BUT ... if it just for gravel and not going to be raked then the size is not vital
If you intend to rake then 8mm would not rake I would think
Check out what they call turkey grit ...  I think it must be about 3 mm or so?? maybe??
If we are going on inches then you can imagine that 1/4 inch would not rake easily, and that 1/8th would probably be optimum

[Bartman]

Because of the volume needed I'll have to use gravel of some sort.  I'll see if I can get something smaller than 8mm.  It is not critical that it be raked.  I think the placement of other pieces in the gravel is probably more important.

Bart

[whis4ey]

Well you can see in my own photograph above that mine was not raked at that time and it still looks fine
I only rake occasionally if I am having visitors I am trying to impress

[Jerry]

Bart:

The new (June) issue of Sunset Magazine has a small article on "Landscaping with Gravel." Maybe worth a look

[Bartman]

Can you scan it and email it?  I have never seen that one up here.

Bart

[Jerry]

Send me an address, I will cut it out and mail it.

[LeeAnne151]

http://www.sunset.com/sunset/garden/article/0,20633,1623709,00.html

The full text of the article and photos is on their site.

[whis4ey]

Some good ideas there Leanne

[Jerry]

I mailed it to him last week, he ought to have it by now.

[Bartman]

Just arrived today.  I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but good timing as the cement is now finished and the hard work will start for leveling the areas and hauling in the pebbles.  This will be the summer project along with gutting the weed garden they had as a flower area in the front.  I'm not looking forward to that one!

Bart