I recently had a landscaper put down black star gravel in some shady areas around my house where grass just won't grow. He only laid a weed barrier and then the gravel on top. I'm curious if there should be a base layer under the gravel for better stability, even though these spots don't get much foot traffic. What do you think?
2 Answers
While it's not a strict requirement, a base layer can improve the longevity of your gravel setup. It promotes better drainage and can prevent future weeds. Since you're not bothered about the budget and it's only a small area, it might be ok as is, but just keep an eye on how it performs over time.
It sounds like your landscaper took a pretty straightforward approach. Ideally, a base layer can help with drainage and prevent the gravel from sinking over time, but in low-traffic areas, it might not be strictly necessary. Just keep an eye on it to see if it shifts or compacts too much. If it looks good and stays put, you might be fine!
Thanks for the insight! I'll monitor it and see how it holds up.