How to Select Gravel Sizes

Gravel sizes are determined by a couple of different factors. If you are new to landscaping or driveway construction, you may not have even realized there are different sizes of gravel. If you are clueless when it comes to rock, use this article to help you determine the gravel sizes for your home.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tape Measure

1. Watch the area you would like to place gravel. Does it stay fairly wet during a rain? If so, large gravel sizes, 4 inches or larger, work best.

2. Determine if this is the first layer of gravel for a road or driveway. Gravel sizes should be larger if they are the first or second layers of road. 4 inch gravel makes a nice base.

3. Choose gravel sizes in landscaping depending on how deep in the ground the rock will lay. The deeper the gravel, the larger the rock. The shallower the area, the smaller the gravel sizes. This is to help prevent sunlight from shining through growing weeds.

4. Place half inch gravel when landscaping is only 2 inches deep. Place 1 inch gravel when landscape is 3 inches deep. Use 2-4 inch gravel sizes when the landscaping is 5 inches deep. Use 5 inch gravel when landscaping is 6 inches deep.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that gravel is longer than it is tall. For example, you will need several layers of 5 inch gravel to create 5 inches deep.