Here's How Joanna Gaines Uses Pea Gravel To Make Her Garden Pop

Although we often think of Joanna Gaines as simply an interior designer, the "Fixer Upper" star really understands design outside of the home too. Over the years, she has showcased her skills in the garden at both her clients' homes and her own. One of the things that she tends to use to add some texture to a garden is gravel.

In her own garden, Gaines has white pea gravel that acts as a pop of white against her colorful plants and raised flower beds. For anyone unfamiliar with pea gravel, it's just small round stones that go up to about 3/8 of an inch in diameter. Pea gravel comes in different colors, which helps it be a chameleonic part of your landscaping. Since these stones are smooth, it can be more comfortable to walk on compared to rocks with jagged edges. At the same time, this gravel brings a nice crunch effect when walking on it, which can add another layer of interest to your garden.

In speaking about landscaping for clients, Joanna Gaines has mentioned using gravel and stones to add texture, while also giving them something that's low-maintenance. So it's not that surprising that as part of her own garden makeover, which viewers were able to experience as part of "Fixer Upper: Chip and Jo's Family Garden Project," the couple opted for pea gravel as part of the pathways around their garden beds. The white space really allows the rest of her garden to shine, as it really spotlights the things that make this space special, including their archway and garden shed.

The use of pea gravel in Joanna Gaines' own garden gave the space an elegant look that won't require a lot of work to keep it looking good. Pea gravel is meant to be less work for homeowners. It should be noted that you will have to rake the gravel to keep things looking level and fresh over time, and you need to prevent weeds from growing in your gravel, so there is some maintenance involved. At the same time, pea gravel can be a less expensive option than crushed granite or river rocks for people looking to do landscaping on a budget.

Another benefit of using pea gravel the way that Gaines does is that it doesn't require much work to install. While it is recommended that you lay down a landscaping fabric underneath the gravel and establish a barrier so it doesn't migrate across your yard, pea gravel otherwise doesn't require much work and is easy to place around your garden and plants. And once it is laid, not only will you have an area that looks good but one that also sounds good underfoot.

There is no doubt that lots of planning went into the garden that Joanna and Chip Gaines built, so it's definitely worth taking the time to plan out where you want your gravel before you start this type of project. Think about what you are already working with, as well as what you want your garden to look like in the end. And while Joanna Gaines opted for a more neutral color for her pea gravel, there are plenty of color options and sizes that might work well for your space. It's about taking the inspiration and making it your own.