What are brick chips in landscaping?
Brick chips, constructed from bricks which have been damaged into smaller items, typically measure between 3/16 inch and 1 1/2 inch in diameter. They usually have a daring crimson coloration that may draw consideration, versus the impartial tones of different rocks utilized in landscaping. Brick chips are available quite a lot of sizes.
In areas the place landscapes have plenty of crimson colours, or brick buildings are outstanding there, using brick chips can have a sense of dwelling which may look acceptable and enticing in response to Lenhart.
Many individuals will use brick chips as a substitute of mulch as a result of it tends to last more. “Over the course of time, if you break it down, it’s probably a lot less to [choose this] route than it would be to constantly bring mulch in, because on average, people do it every year or every other year,” says Gardiner.
Gardiner explains that folks buy mulch usually to maintain their neighborhood fresh-looking, versus brick chips, which can value extra initially however are simpler to keep up.
Due to its placing crimson coloration, it’s additionally normally finest to make use of brick chips sparsely as they’ll overpower an space. Lenhart doesn’t typically advocate utilizing it for a driveway, because it’s a giant visible space of the yard.
“You want a landscape to feel like a cohesive whole. And when you put material in there that’s calling lots of attention to itself, it’s hogging the spotlight, and not letting the rest of the landscape capture enough of a viewer’s attention,” says Lenhart.
What to know when utilizing brick chips for landscaping
Are brick chips good for drainage?
Brick chips usually take in water shortly because of the porous nature of the fabric, which implies water normally flows simply into the soil, relying on the composition of the soil and its absorption charge.
Nonetheless, brick chips or any form of rock mulch will usually do “passive heating,” the place daylight is absorbed by the rocks through the day and reradiates that warmth at evening, warming up the soil. In line with Lenhart, this may make some crops use water much less effectively, and so they’ll usually want extra water.
“If you’re using brick chips or any other rock mulch in a full sun planting area, you want to make sure you are planting species that can handle some heat and that are going to be comfortable in a low water environment,” says Lenhart.
What quantity of brick chips do I want?
Brick chips are normally bought by the cubic yard and the quantity you’ll want for good protection is often a few 3-inch depth on common, in response to Lenhart. The easiest way to calculate how a lot materials you’ll want is to measure the sq. footage of your space and use a brick chip or gravel calculator for an estimation.
Do I want cloth below the brick chips to manage weeds?
In line with Lenhart, utilizing a heavy-duty landscaping cloth below the brick chips will usually stop weeds from poking by, except there are holes within the materials. The associated fee for landscaping cloth varies, starting from $1 to three per sq. foot, relying on thickness and the model you select.
Are there different makes use of for brick chips?
Along with plant beds, brick chips may also be used for paths and different design options that assist so as to add a splash of coloration with out numerous upkeep. In line with Gardiner, many individuals who’ve secondary seashore properties actually respect the decrease upkeep of hardscape designs.
In a single case, he advisable hardscaping to a consumer who was promoting their seashore dwelling and wanted the yard improved, since most individuals who purchase secondary properties don’t usually wish to do yard work whereas on trip.
“It went from being totally average, to now it pops, so yes, that’s a high recommendation in areas where you don’t want to do any kind of work,” says Gardiner.
How do brick chips examine in value to different landscaping supplies?
Normally bought by the cubic yard, brick chips will value on common between $90 to $180, in response to Lenhart. A cubic yard of brick chips can cowl a 9-by-12-foot space at three inches deep. Whereas, in response to Garden Love, the typical value of mulch is $30 to $110 per cubic yard.
Lenhart says, brick chips could be inexpensive while you dwell nearer to the supply, as transporting them normally enhance the associated fee.
Is it higher to have brick chips, mulch, or different rocks round my home?
In line with Lenhart, having rocks or brick chips round your own home shouldn’t trigger any issues. In the meantime, analysis has proven that having mulch, which is an natural materials, proper up in opposition to your basis might invite termites, mildew, or water injury due to its tendency to retain moisture.
Most individuals who wish to use mulch will usually create a 6- to 12-inch barrier round their home with rocks, after which add their mulch and plantings on the opposite facet of the rocks to guard the inspiration.
What coloration selections usually work one of the best with brick chips?
Lenhart says because the brick chips stand out, it’s finest to make use of extra crops and have the brick chips be extra of an accent versus the principle focus.
“On the color wheel, red and green are complementary colors so the red does pair well with green foliage,” says Lenhart. “For that reason, it’s nice to pick plants that are fairly green and plant them heavily in a bed that is surfaced with brick chips as a mulch.”
In line with Lenhart, as a result of crimson is such a robust coloration, it may be troublesome to search out flowers that go effectively with brick chips, like cardinal crimson or lavender.
