Interesting point about the debris... hadn't thought of that trade-off before. Have you noticed any difference depending on what you put underneath your permeable setup? I've seen some folks use landscaping fabric, others gravel or sand—wonder if that makes a noticeable difference in weed growth. Either way, sounds like you're on the right track with less weed pulling, which is always a win in my book.
"Have you noticed any difference depending on what you put underneath your permeable setup?"
- Landscaping fabric was a bust for me— weeds punched right through after a couple seasons. Maybe I used the cheap stuff, but it felt like wasted effort.
- Gravel's been decent, though. I put down a thick layer under my patio area and it's held up pretty well. Still get some weeds, but they're fewer and easier to pull.
- Haven't tried sand yet... seems like it'd compact too much and lose permeability over time? Curious if anyone's had luck with it long-term.
- One thing I've wondered about lately: does the type of gravel matter much? Like pea gravel vs crushed stone—would one be better at keeping weeds down or staying permeable longer?
I've had similar experiences with landscaping fabric—felt like a losing battle after a while. Gravel's been my go-to as well, but I've noticed crushed stone tends to lock together better and stays put, whereas pea gravel shifts around a lot. Not sure if that affects weed growth directly, but it definitely impacts stability and maintenance.
"Haven't tried sand yet... seems like it'd compact too much and lose permeability over time?"
Yeah, sand compacts pretty badly in my experience, especially if there's foot traffic or furniture on top. Has anyone experimented with layering different materials to balance permeability and weed control?
I've had similar experiences with landscaping fabric—felt like a losing battle after a while. Gravel's been my go-to as well, but I've noticed crushed stone tends to lock together better and stay...
I've actually tried layering crushed stone over landscaping fabric, then topping it with pea gravel for aesthetics. Worked pretty well—stable underneath, decent drainage, and fewer weeds. Sand though... yeah, it just turns into concrete eventually.
"I've actually tried layering crushed stone over landscaping fabric, then topping it with pea gravel for aesthetics."
Interesting combo, but honestly, landscaping fabric always ends up disappointing me in the long run. I've found that a solid compacted base of crushed stone alone does wonders—locks tight, drains well, and weeds struggle to break through. Pea gravel looks nice, sure, but it shifts around too much for my liking. I'd rather sacrifice a bit of aesthetics for durability... saves headaches later.
