Gravel gardens are considered modern and low-maintenance due to the lack of greenery and the look. However, the concept has numerous disadvantages, most of which have an impact on the environment. We show reasons that speak against a gravel garden.
In a nutshell
- reduce natural habitats
- high maintenance
- heat up the environment
- generate a lot of dust
- low longevity
Table of contents
- Gravel garden: 10 reasons against
- Blocks biodiversity
- ground damage
- Intense heat development
- High maintenance effort
- High cost
- discoloration
- dust exposure
- noise development
- Poor energy balance
- Little customization options
- Alternatives to the gravel garden
- frequently asked Questions
Gravel garden: 10 reasons against
If you're interested in a gravel garden, it's a good idea to think twice. Despite the name, the area filled with gravel no longer resembles a real garden. There are ten reasons against gravel gardens.
Blocks biodiversity
One of the biggest reasons against a gravel garden is the lost biodiversity around the property. Neither plants, soil or rotting material are available. As a result, insects, small mammals,
birds, amphibians and reptiles lack habitats, food sources and especially nesting sites. Above all pollinator have a hard time, either dying of thirst en route to a suitable food source or suffering from exhaustion from having to travel long distances.
ground damage
In addition to the lack of biodiversity, poor soil quality is to be expected. Many soils are biologically dead due to the use of separating layers in the form of PE films and garden fleece. In addition, the weight of the gravel presses down on the earth and causes compaction, which prevents the accumulation of microorganisms and nutrients. Barren soils are the result.
Intense heat development
When using a gravel garden, you have to reckon with higher temperatures on your property. Gravel surfaces heat up a lot because the stones store a lot of heat and release it into the ambient air over a long period of time. This keeps the temperature high even at night. Plants, on the other hand, have the advantage that they provide shade, automatically cool the air over night and, in combination with good soil, provide sufficient moisture.
High maintenance effort
The aesthetics of a gravel garden make them seem easier to maintain than other concepts. But the exact opposite is the case. Since the surface consists exclusively of gravel, dirt is immediately recognizable and can only be removed by regular cleaning. The biggest problems include leaves and dust. They can only be removed with a leaf blower or rake. Depending on where you live, the weather and the color of the gravel, you have to reckon with a higher cleaning effort than with classic gardens.
High cost
Don't let the look of a gravel garden fool you. The areas are not only maintenance-intensive, but also immensely expensive. The gravel in particular often costs more than expected. On average, you have to reckon with costs of five to one thousand euros per tonne, depending on the type of ballast. This can get expensive in the long run, since you have to remove and replace the ballast at regular intervals. This also applies to the release layer, which must be completely replaced. The larger the area, the higher the cost of renewal. The cost items for implementation and maintenance are:
- Material (gravel and foil)
- delivery costs
- Tools, cleaning and construction equipment
- Cost of potted plants (if desired)
In many communities, gravel gardens are counted among the sealed areas because of their properties. As a result, it is possible that you will also have to pay a waste water fee, which is calculated at up to two euros per square meter.
discoloration
One reason for the need to renovate the surface is the possible discoloration caused by moss, algae and tannic acid from falling leaves. Especially with light ornamental gravel, the discoloration can quickly become annoying and have a negative effect on the look. If the gravel layer is not intensively cared for, the discolouration can hardly be prevented. A garden does not have this problem.
dust exposure
Not only the microclimate on your property is affected by the layer of gravel. The fine dust pollution is increased because there are no or only sparse leaves and twigs that function as a natural filter. Street dust in particular can thus reach the residential building unhindered and greatly reduce the air quality. Not only dust, but also carbon dioxide pollution is increased due to the lack of plants.
Pollen allergy sufferers can also suffer from a layer of gravel, as the pollen is deposited in the spaces between the stones. Wind stirs up the pollen and increases the chance of an allergic reaction.
noise development
If you live on a busy street or in a busy area, you have to reckon with a higher level of noise pollution when using a gravel garden. Due to the lack of vegetation, the noise penetrates to your property much more easily because it is not filtered. That means you hear cars, pedestrians and other noises much more than with a classic garden. Natural noise barriers are an excellent way to reduce noise and thus increase well-being within your own four walls.
This includes:
- hedges
- large solitary shrubs
- extensive hillside planting (in the case of a low-lying road)
Poor energy balance
Rarely addressed when planning the gravel areas is the extremely poor energy balance, which is caused by the lack of biodiversity and the maintenance effort. Since devices such as high-pressure cleaners are primarily used for cleaning and maintenance, high electricity costs are to be expected on a regular basis. In addition, there is a high water consumption if you want to cool the area in summer.
Little customization options
Another reason that speaks against the creation of a gravel garden is that individual design is hardly possible or not possible at all. Since it is a gravel area with paving stones, solitary potted plants and less often lighting, the adjustment options are quite limited. For the most part, they look minimalistic, which not everyone likes. Gravel gardens also do not follow the concepts behind an Asian garden, which are meticulously planned and implemented. If you have color, smells and an idea of your own, a gravel garden is not recommended.
Alternatives to the gravel garden
If you are looking for an easy-care alternative to a gravel garden that can be created without much effort, you don't have to look far. There is enough garden concepts, which are much better for the front garden, inner courtyard and even in unfavorable places. They are also fairly easy to care for once implemented and can often be left to your own devices if you don't have a problem with something wild growth have. Excellent are:
- rock gardens and alpine gardens
- prairie gardens
- groundcover gardens
Even a simple wildflower meadow in front of your house is not only easy to care for but also useful for insects and wild bees.
frequently asked Questions
Not at the national level. More and more states are banning gravel gardens. These include Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein. In Bavaria, the individual municipalities decide on the legality of gravel gardens.
Yes, demolishing a gravel garden is possible, but it takes a lot of time and effort. Depending on the size and age of the area, demolition can take several years, since ideally you should proceed meter by meter. If you were to remove the entire gravel surface at once, it would be difficult for the soil to recover and weeds settle down.
Yes, you can tone down a gravel garden by removing existing sheeting and fleece, adding fine sand and compost, and digging the soil thoroughly. This creates a location similar to a rocky slope or a poor meadow. The sand and coarse gravel increase soil permeability, while the compost is used as a nutrient basis. The resulting dry location can be planted with suitable plants such as barberries (Berberis vulgaris) or meadow knapweeds (Centaurea jacea) plant.