Shingle / Gravel - Best Place To Buy

[Ric.ror]

Where do you think the best place to buy gravel or pea shingle is?
I need about 5 tons to cover an area in my front garden that had been a lawn

Many thanks (as always) in anticipation

[Ric.ror]

I should have added I have already looked at Wickes

[bhg481]

Some Garden Centres sell gravel or lease part of their land to people who sell slabs and gravel. We got ours from there when we converted our lawn.
Incidentally, put a layer of scalpings (or similar) down first and roll it. We did and had no problems; my daughter didn't bother and has found the gravel being pushed down into the soil.

[The Builder]

I would just use a local builders' merchants, Ric.

They could arrange a load from the quarry. Check prices, as it would probably come on a 15 tonne truck, and you would have to pay extra for a part-load.

Alternatively, they could deliver it in dumpy bags. Each bag is around 850kg, so you would need about 6 bags. This may work out more expensive than a direct quarry delivery.

[Flonska]

If part of the area being graveled is used by vehicles, make sure you buy at least 20mm size to keep the tyre treads free of stones. Also check with your neighbours if they need any - increasing the quantity ordered might help drop the price down further. As already said, check prices and delivery charges.

[Ric.ror]

Thanks for all your answers
I'm going to measure up this weekend so please watch this space for more info to help me
Again thank you

[TWR]

I've not long done what you intend to do, after clearing / levelling the area I put down membrane & held it down with either pegs / bricks in case of wind, checked around for a mini digger & got that sorted £50, then came pricing the gravel, I choose Travis Perkins to deliver, £70 per bag, the Hiab Truck positioned the bags in an area that made it better, you could if you know someone with a tipper collect direct from your local quarry, by doing that it would be tipped on the road this is where a Mini Digger comes in, On completion & got a loan of a Wacker Plate compactor as the area was going to be used for car parking.

[murraymints]

B & Q ...I have had huge amounts from them in Tonne bags..

[murraymints]

prepare ground well first rake and heel or compact..pour weedkiller over the area ..peg down a good membrane...HI ab will lift bags onto appropriate spots..using a stanley cut down side of bag and rake out....

[Ric.ror]

I'm thinking of adding a layer a newspaper before I put the black fabric down to surpress the weeds, stop the gravel being pressed down and to rot and enrich the soil

[TWR]

Ric, the membrane will do what you are saying ( Newspaper).

[murraymints]

but you want to supress growth under membrane not encourage it..nah..loads of weed killer...a good quality membrane...Gravel will find its own level once dropped and raked

[webbo3]

Kelkay, check for a list of stockists near you for prices.

http://www.kelkay.com/cat/pebbles/10/


Dave.

[SamFoster]

Selco have a wide range of shingle/gravel to choose from https://www.selcobw.com/products/building-materials/aggregates/stone-gravel