What do you put down before laying pebbles?

It depends on what the area is for. In a planting bed, lay the stone straight onto clean, weeded, graded soil with no fabric, because weed mat under pebbles fails within a few years once debris collects on top of it and weeds root through. Under a path, courtyard or driveway, use a non-woven geotextile over a compacted roadbase, where the fabric is a separation layer stopping the stone punching into the base. In both cases, remove perennial runners such as kikuyu and nutgrass first and install a hard edge.

What are some ways to landscape with pebble rocks?

The most useful applications are a dry creek bed that takes surface runoff, stepping stones set into a pebble field, pebble used as mulch in planting beds at 40 mm to 50 mm, a 300 mm to 400 mm strip along the house to stop splash-back onto render, a compacted deco granite courtyard floor, and a stone field with planted pots arranged over it. Pebble also makes the standard surround for a pond or water bowl.

How much will a 20kg bag of pebbles cover?

About 0.25 square metres at 50 mm deep, which is the usual decorative depth. At 40 mm it covers around 0.33 square metres and at 30 mm around 0.45 square metres. You need roughly four 20 kg bags per square metre at 50 mm. The calculation assumes a bulk density of about 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre. For anything over about five square metres, bulk stone by the tonne is two to seven times cheaper than the same product in bags.

Can I put pebbles directly on soil?

Yes, and in planting beds that is the better option. Lay them at 40 mm to 50 mm over clean, weeded, graded soil so water, air and soil life keep moving and you can still plant into the bed later. Remove perennial weeds first and install a hard edge so the stone does not migrate. On a trafficked surface it is different, because the stone needs a compacted roadbase underneath or it will work its way into the soil.

How deep should pebbles and gravel be?

40 mm to 50 mm for decorative beds and borders, 30 mm for a top-up over an existing layer, and 50 mm to 75 mm for paths and areas that take foot traffic over a compacted base. Going much deeper than 50 mm over the root zone of established plants starts restricting gas exchange to the roots.

Does gravel count as landscaped area for council?

Usually not. Most NSW councils define landscaped area as part of a site used for growing plants, grasses and trees, excluding buildings, structures and hard paved areas, so stone does not count. Camden Council, for example, requires at least 30 per cent of the site and at least 40 per cent of the front setback to be landscaped, and excludes strips narrower than 1.5 metres. Use stone as mulch within planting beds rather than as a replacement for them, and check your own council's controls.

Is gravel cheaper than turf or paving?

As a material, yes. Supply and lay for a decorative stone bed in Sydney typically runs 35 to 70 dollars per square metre, against roughly 80 to 160 dollars for a compacted stone path and considerably more for paving. Turf is cheaper to install but carries ongoing water and upkeep costs that stone does not. Stone is cheapest where nobody walks, and the gap closes once a proper base is needed.

What is the difference between pebbles and gravel?

In Australian usage, pebbles are smooth and rounded, usually river-sourced, and sold in sizes like 10, 20 and 40 mm. Gravel generally means crushed angular stone such as blue metal or deco granite. Angular gravel locks together when compacted and stays where you put it, so it suits paths and bases. Rounded pebble rolls and migrates, so it suits beds and decorative areas where nobody is walking.