When it comes to landscape, people do not only focus on the looks but also the functionality.
Adding gravel in a garden is one of the many ways to improve its drainage.
Filling with gravel also provides a beautiful landscape. After all, a well manicured garden is a sure-sign of good taste and discipline.
But can gravel dissolve in water? Well, you can see and feel it. It’s a solid material. If anything, it will sink right to the bottom of the pool. Sinking gravel in water is one thing but does it dissolve? No, definitely not.
So why does it sink?
Gravel is heavy and dense, it has more mass than water so of course, it will be heavier and will sink.
A quick reminder: density is simply the mass of a given volume.
It’s also unfortunate to know that it will be harder to fill your pool with gravel because it has to be prepared.
It will be crushed or broken into smaller pieces so that the pool will have an easier time to fill with water.
But then, is gravel safe for your pool? What can you do with gravel around home?
For more on that, follow through this post.
Table of Contents
Gravel: definition
Filling a pool with gravel is actually common, in fact it’s one of the most popular ways to do so.
But then, what is gravel?
Gravel is short for gravel stones.
It’s just an irregularly shaped, hard rock that is used in roads and driveways.
It may have different origins such as the shells of eggs, fossilized coral or plant pieces.
Gravels are a kind of small sedimentary rock that look like broken pieces of clay or slate.
Its color may be gray or black.
It is commonly used in footpaths, driveways and even outdoor playgrounds.
Read More: How to Make a Gravel Walkway in Grass
Gravel can also be a blend of other types of rock such as quartz, stones or other different types of rock.
Other uses for gravel are asphalt millings and crushed stones.
It may also be used in concrete formulations for its sharp edges that can cut or scrape anything accidentally.
So when you see a pool filled with gravel, know it’s not just rocks scattered around.
It’s actually a great way to add beauty and class to your pool.
Can gravel dissolve in water?
Erosion is the process by which earth materials are worn down and carried away from the land.
It usually happens when water flows on a surface over time.
Dissolution is the process of a substance breaking down in water.
Stones are naturally hard and sturdy under different conditions and can be tough on erosion.
But if gravel has been used to fill a pool, then can gravel dissolve in water?
The answer is no.
Gravels are not easily dissolved by water.
Even if you have been using gravel in your pool for a couple of years, it still won’t dissolve.
Gravel is not like sand that can get dissolved over time and turn into mud.
Water may flow through the gaps between the stones, but it won’t dissolve or erode them.
They are just cemented together too firmly for that to happen.
This is why if you are a pool owner and want to change the look of your pool, then gravel is an excellent choice.
It’s a great way to add up the beauty of your pool.
Plus, it comes in an array of different shapes and sizes that you can choose from.
It can also be mixed with different types of stone so it’s a nice way to experiment with different combinations.
Gravel is safe to use around ponds
Harmful chemicals can affect the quality of your pond water and even harm you.
The main sources of contamination are pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
And you may have noticed that when they apply these chemicals to your lawn or garden, a lot of them end up in your pond as well.
The problem is, some of them can be very toxic.
But with gravel, there’s no need to worry at all.
Gravel will never contaminate your pond water because it’s a natural source.
The rocks and stones are made of minerals, so you can be sure that they are safe to use around ponds.
It won’t harm the fish or plants either.
Plus, it’s heavy just like sand.
If it happens to fall into your pond, it will sink right away and stay at the bottom where they belong.
So, for freshwater ponds, gravel is a great and safe choice of material to use.
However, if your pond has a high level of salt in it due to ocean proximity, then you may want to reconsider using gravel.
The salt is very corrosive and will eat through the rocks, leading it to fall apart slowly over time.
It’s best to use a gravel that is coarse enough and wont dissolve in salt water.
But when it comes to ponds, there are many different things to consider.
Ponds are a great way for you to add beauty and tranquility to your yard.
But there’s more than just its looks to it.
You have to make sure that your pond is safe for you, your family and your pets.
What should you use for a pond bed?
Rocks are perfect if you want to add a natural accent to your landscape.
But in order for them to look their best, you need to use them in the proper way.
A single layer of rocks can look pretty good, but for a better, more natural look, try placing different sized rocks in different layers of your pond.
This will make the water flow more natural and create a nice ripple effect from top to bottom.
The best part is, you can reuse these rocks when you are looking to refresh your design.
Your original rocks can act as a decorative layer beneath the top layer of new stones.
Just make sure that they are not so big that it affects the natural flow of water.
If you want to get really creative, place some flat stones on top of each other and create a natural-looking border.
A few of the most commonly used types of natural stone for landscaping that are minimally soluble include:
- Granite – a hard, crystalline igneous rock made from the slow cooling of molten magma.
- Sandstone – sedimentary rocks that are composed of cemented sand grains.
- Travertine – a sedimentary rock formed by the accumulation and solid
- Basaltic rock – dark in color due to the presence of iron oxide and an extrusive volcanic rock.
- Marble – a metamorphic rock made up of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.
- Soapstone – a general term for any of several types of talc-schist.
Placing the water garden ornaments in between each stone will add more character to your pond because this is where you want people to get a close look.
You can even plant flowers and other plants around your garden rocks for added color and dimension.
Other than rocks, sand and gravel can also add a natural touch to your pond’s bottom.
The sand can be placed at the bottom as a natural support for small plants and flowers.
If you want to add more color, then you can use colored sand instead.
What can you do with gravel around your home?
Oftentimes, homeowners overlook the decorative value of gravel and see it more as a necessity.
Gravel is commonly used in pathways around their home because of its ability to reduce erosion and make things more walkable.
But there’s a lot more you can do with gravel aside from using it in your driveway.
You can even have a decorative walkway near your pond.
The main goal here is to make it look natural, not man made.
Patio steps, a sidewalk or even your driveway can also look great with decorative gravel that is different from the rest of the ones you use indoors.
To achieve this natural look, you’ll have to find out what type of rock and stones are nearby.
Get some samples from the local landscape company or garden shop in your area and take them home to see if they fit well with the other landscaping.
Now that you know where you can use gravel around your home, another question you may have is whether you can use them around your trees.
Gravel around trees
Lawns and trees are two of the most important parts of your home’s landscape.
They make your home look great, but they can also become a serious problem if you don’t maintain them properly.
Keeping your plants healthy can be very challenging, especially when you have a lot of other things to take care of.
Fertilizing and keeping your trees watered is already a lot of work in itself, but you have to remember that during times of drought or excessive heat, your trees and the lawn will compete with weeds for more hydration than what you can give them.
Gravel mulch around your trees can help with that.
Gravel mulch helps keep weeds away from your plants and roots, making it much easier to maintain the health of your plants.
So, you can have gravel around your trees as long as you also take care of your lawn.
Gravel mulch can also help control the growth of weed near your plants.
Adjust your pond’s look with gravel!
Various types of gravel commonly used in landscaping including natural stone and manufactured products such as pea gravel are generally not very soluble, meaning they won’t dissolve in water over time.
Jagged pieces of gravel are often used in the construction of garden pathways or as underlayment for outdoor walkways.
In some cases, homeowners may choose to use crushed stone, or gravel made from recycled asphalt.
Gravel is often found inside decorative ponds that are located in parks, backyard landscaping and even in the swimming pools of larger homes.
So can gravel dissolve in water?
Not usually, as long as the aggregate is a natural stone that is not chemically treated.
