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Small Pebbles up to 20mm
Ideal for decorative or functional use in outdoor projects, 20mm small pebbles are Ideal for decorative use on outdoor projects. 20mm small pebbles can be used on walkways, rockeries, borders, and raised beds.
They can also be used for more functional driveways, but as a rounded material, won't be as strong and will displace more than our recommended angular gravels.
Some small pebble ranges are also suited for water features. These include the likes of ornamental water features, fish ponds, swim ponds or pondless waterfalls.
Our 20mm small pebbles have a typical 20mm size, though batches can contain pieces ranging between 6mm to 20 mm due to quarry batching. See more information on how pebbles are sized here.
20mm Pebbles Usage Ideas
Small pebbles measuring circa 20mm have plenty of usage potential within your landscaping projects.
At 20mm, this size provides convenience for pathways and walkways, is fantastic for filling in sections of your pond, and covers large swathes of ground with ease.
While you’ll find full product suitability and usage ideas on each product listing, here is some general inspiration for small pebbles to inspire your next project.
Low Traffic Driveways And Paths
Small pebbles, stones, and gravel are perfect for creating paths and walkways, and they can also be used in low-traffic driveway areas. However, for driveways with heavy traffic and frequent car movement, we recommend using angular gravel, as it locks together more effectively, reducing displacement.
Visually, you can mix things up with multi-coloured pebbles or darker-coloured pebbles which won't show up the dirt as much as cream or white pebbles, so offers a practical solution for walking or driving over.
Furthermore, the noise produced when walking or driving over gravel is also an excellent burglar deterrent.
In terms of walking suitability, we recommend that anything above 20mm becomes difficult to walk on. Therefore, 20mm is a good size to opt for if you don’t want smaller pebbles to become stuck in your tyres, or likewise, to be walking in gravel or stones into your house.
Read more: 5 Simple Ways to Maintain a Gravel Garden
French Drain Aggregate
Instantly refresh the look of your property with some 20mm pebbles, to place around the perimeter of your home on top of your installed drainage system. You can use any excess pebbles from your drain to do this.
Also known as French drain aggregate, these pebbles enhance drainage in French drain installations, helping to prevent flooding and reduce the buildup of standing water around your home. For optimal performance, we recommend a durable granite stone like Scottish 20-40mm. Its rounded shape allows water to flow through quickly, minimising the risk of flash flooding during heavy rain.
Garden Borders And Raised Beds
Small pebbles, decorative stones, and gravel are often used around the edges of garden borders, or to establish a pathway around raised beds.
Tree Pits
Pebbles are an excellent choice for use around tree pits due to their practical and aesthetic benefits. They serve as a decorative mulch, retaining soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and stabilising soil temperature.
Pebbles also enhance drainage, preventing water pooling around tree roots and reducing the risk of root rot. Additionally, they help control soil erosion, improve root aeration, and protect the tree trunk from damage caused by garden equipment.
By incorporating pebbles around tree bases, you can achieve a functional and visually appealing landscape design.
Pebble Dashing
Dashing stones are also ideal to be used between paving stones or for borders.
While pebble dashing isn’t as common as it used to be, one major advantage is that the technique provides decades of protection for buildings and the underlying structures. In some cases, this can be as much as 20-40 years before repairs are needed.
Since removing pebble dashing can be messy and expensive, repairing it with aggregate is a quick and easy solution.
Fish Friendly Small Pebbles
Pebbles are classed as fish-friendly which means the rocks are non-toxic submerged under water and will not affect the health of your fish.
View all fish friendly small pebbles
Small Pebbles For Garden - Top Benefits
Introduce nature into your garden - So many materials used in gardens these days do little to improve biodiversity. But as a natural material, pebbles give your garden the infusion of nature it deserves, while greatly improving its aesthetic appeal. Pair with some stunning plants to maximise your garden’s green appeal.
Versatile size - 20mm is ideal for a wide range of uses, from topping up your raised beds to creating vibrant walkways.
Endless colours to choose from - From crisp whites and creams to subtle mixed blends, small pebbles have something for every landscaping project.
Cost-effective and low maintenance - So long as your pebbles are installed and used as intended, they will offer many years of enjoyment. Unlike other types of driveways or walkways, the ongoing maintenance is much less.
Small Pebbles FAQs
We’ve answered some of the most common questions about all things small pebbles below.
If you don’t see your query, the Stone Warehouse customer service team is only a call or a click away. Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call on 01629 636 212.
You can also follow us over on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or YouTube.
Or check out our inspiration page where you’ll find helpful guides on how to make the most out of your garden, plus hints and tips on how to use our products.
How Do I Prepare The Soil Before Placing Small Pebbles In My Garden?
The answer does depend on where you wish to apply your small pebbles whether that’s a walkway, raised bed, rockery or tree pit. Those applications which do involve soil we would advise preparing the soil by de-weeding and then laying a protective weed suppressant membrane before the pebbles are placed on top.
For other general decorative projects, such as rockeries, you may wish to lay the pebbles directly onto the soil. This is especially the case when the usage is more decorative rather than functional.
Visit our ‘How To’ support page for helpful video tutorials on incorporating stone into your garden.
Are Small Garden Pebbles Suitable For Pathways And Walkways?
Yes! Small pebbles offer a good base for pathways and walkways, and serve as an alternative to concrete, block paving, or other forms of tiles or decking. We do advise opting for a pebble of 20mm or smaller to provide a comfortable step. Though, not the extreme small sizes (i.e. 3mm to 8mm) if you want to avoid any pebbles or stones from getting stuck in your shoe treads.
How Can I Prevent Weeds From Growing Through The Small Pebbles In My Garden?
Good preparation of the ground is essential to avoiding vegetation, including weeds, from ruining the look of your drive, or walkway. This includes laying a protective membrane down before placing any gravel or pebbles on top.
This may be more difficult in rockeries, or complex decorative features, a strong weed killer can be used here before laying the small pebbles down.
Are Small Pebbles A Good Option For Drainage In Potted Plants Or Garden Beds?
Yes. Pebbles placed within potted plants or garden beds can act as a decorative mulch, aiding soil drainage, retaining soil moisture, reducing weed growth, and maintaining a stable soil temperature.
Since pebbles create a natural barrier against the elements, they can also help absorb excess water and prevent soil erosion.
Do Small Pebbles Retain Heat, And Can They Help With Soil Insulation?
Yes, Small pebbles can retain heat to provide soil insulation. It is for this reason that pebbles can be used to insulate soil from temperature fluctuations.
However, you should ensure that the plant variety is suited to the climate, environment, and planting position, since the correct conditions will have the biggest impact on the health of your plant.
