Pebble the casbah - our guide to laying garden pebbles 

Decorative pebbles can take the visual appeal of your garden to the next level - if used tastefully and laid correctly. While taste is (for better or for worse) in the eye of the beholder, the way to correctly lay garden pebbles isn’t up for debate. Here’s our guide to using decorative pebbles in your garden. 

Measure out and mark your garden pebble landing zone

Laying pebbles isn’t something you should try to eyeball - you’ll end up with something that looks more like an inkblot test than good landscaping. By taking the time to measure your space and then mark it out with string, you’ll get a much better idea of how many garden pebbles you actually need. 



From here, the process can vary slightly, depending on where you want to put your decorative pebbles.

How to lay garden pebbles on soil 

If you want to lay your pebbles straight down on flat soil, the good news is that you don’t have much to do before you can get to pebbling. All you’ll need to get out of the way is a rudimentary levelling and clearing of the soil in question (which can be easily done with a household rake), and a quick weeding to ensure there’s no pesky plants hanging around. 

Once that’s done, you can technically go ahead and start laying down pebbles. But there’s something worth considering before you jump in - a long-term weed prevention strategy. 

How to stop weeds growing through garden pebbles laid on soil 

Thankfully, the question of how to stop weeds growing through your carefully placed decorative pebbles is easily answered. 

Once you’ve cleared and levelled your soil, all you need to do is lay down an appropriately-sized piece of landscape fabric. The material is firm and heavy enough to stop weeds from getting through but is also porous enough to ensure that the soil below it receives enough water and air. Be sure to place the fabric shiny side up! 

And if you need soil as well as pebbles, we’ve got you covered with our range of soils which are available in small amounts or in bulk. 

Laying it on thick - how tall should a layer of garden pebbles be? 

All things being equal, you should aim to end up with a layer of decorative pebbles at least 5cm off the soil they’re sitting on. If you’re using your pebbles to cover a garden bed or fill a space, try to get them flush to the edges they’re up against. 

Are different kinds of garden pebbles better or worse for landscaping? 

When it comes to selecting the specific kind of pebble you want for your garden, your personal taste and preferences will once again be the driving force. The only real practical consideration to be aware of is the size of the pebbles you go with. Pebbles around 2-3cm in diameter are recommended for areas that will be walked on, and 2cm pebbles specifically are great for driveways - as are our aggregates and gravels. 

Keep in mind that the smaller the pebble, the more pleasant it will be to walk on, but if your pebbles are too small, you’ll leave footprints, which isn’t ideal from an aesthetic standpoint!

Partner with Waratah Supplies for all your garden pebble needs

If you want to up the wow factor of your garden, give us a call! We have many different types of pebbles available in whatever quantity you need, whether it’s one kilogram or one tonne. Pebbling a garden isn’t necessarily a complex task, but it’s one that you want to get right the first time - so for ultimate peace of mind, leave it to our team of expert landscapers for a result you’ll be over the moon about.