Gravel, Garden Stones & Slate

People Ask

• What is the cheapest gravel for landscaping?

  At £3.99 per 20kg bag (with 3 bags for £10) B&M’s Golden, Oyster Pearl, Red Flame and White gravel, along with our Golden Flint, Cotswold and Plum Slate chippings, are equally affordable materials to help you transform your garden, whatever the size of your landscaping project.

  They also work well as decorative aggregates for water features or other landscaping focal points.

• How do you lay gravel?

  First, measure out and mark the shape of the area that is to be covered by garden gravel or pea shingle. Next, dig out the area to a depth of at least 10 cm. We recommend adding decorative stone or wooden edging to keep the stones contained.

  Compact the soil over which you will lay your gravel, and line it with a good covering of crushed stone. Next, lay down weed control fabric.

  Spread your gravel over the top and rake it out. We recommend laying it at least 3cm deep.

• How do you prepare ground for gravel?

  The best way to get your ground ready for decorative gravel is to dig down a little way (at least 10cm) so that the stones are not simply lying on the surface. Compact the soil within the dug out area, lay down some crushed stone and then add weed resistant membrane.

• How do you keep weeds from growing in gravel?

  It’s possible to employ a wide range of techniques to prevent weeds from growing through your shingle, gravel, chippings or slate.

  Weed killer is highly effective, but weed control fabric is longer lasting and should remain in place. Lay it underneath to keep your paths and gravelled areas looking great.

• How do you lay slate chippings in the garden?

  The process involved in laying slate chippings is very much the same as laying garden gravel or pea shingle. Measure and dig out the area to be covered to around 10cm deep.

  Compact the ground that will lie under the chippings and cover it in crushed stone. Lay down weed control fabric and then distribute and rake out your slate to at least 3cm in depth.

• How much slate do I need for my garden?

  We recommend that a 20kg bag of gravel, stone chippings or slate should cover around 0.2m2. This means you’ll need around 5 bags per metre.

  Of course, this depends on the depth at which your slate chippings will lie. For best effect, you should aim for at least a 3cm depth at all points.

• Can I order online?

  B&M do not operate an online ordering facility for groceries, furniture and houseware products.

  However we do offer an online ordering service for B&M Flowers and B&M Garden Buildings, more information regarding these products can be found at bmflowers.co.uk and bmgardenbuildings.co.uk.*

  *Any free delivery options advertised on the above 3rd party websites apply to online orders only, and only if the specified conditions of sale are met (see T&Cs of sale on respective websites). Free delivery does not apply to in-store purchases. Please speak to a member of staff at your local store to discuss pricing for the delivery of large items.

• Do you offer a Home Delivery Service?

  For large furniture items or bulky gardening products, home delivery can be arranged. Please ask in store for more details and prices.*

  If you are ordering B&M Flowers from bmflowers.co.uk or B&M Garden Buildings from bmgardenbuildings.co.uk , the delivery of these products will be arranged during the process of your online order. All deliveries will be completed by a third party.*

  *Any free delivery options advertised on the above 3rd party websites apply to online orders only, and only if the specified conditions of sale are met (see T&Cs of sale on respective websites). Free delivery does not apply to in-store purchases. Please speak to a member of staff at your local store to discuss pricing for the delivery of large items.