Planting through weed membrane with a covering gravel (or bark chippings) is a great way to reduce weeding and create an attractive low maintenance border.
However, the planting can be a bit tricky, so here are 5 simple steps to make it easier:
cut a cross in the membrane for planting
Step 1 – clearing the gravel/bark
If you can plant before you apply the mulch to hide the membrane, that is best, but if you aren’t able to do so, rake back the mulch to expose the membrane beneath.
Cut a cross in the membrane as shown
hold back the membrane flaps with tent pegs
Step 2 – preparing for planting
Hold back the pieces of membrane so that you can dig the hole.
Tent pegs work very well for this or you can use rocks or other heavy objects you have to hand
fold back the membrane flaps around the plant
Step 3 – planting
Dig out the soil and put into a trug or bucket, taking care not to spill any onto the gravel.
Place the plant into the hole, making sure you tease the roots.
finish off by raking back the mulch
Step 4 – folding back the membrane
Once you have refilled the hole with soil and added compost and fertiliser to give the plant the best start in its new home, remove the tent pegs and fold back the flaps of membrane around the plant stem to cover the soil surface.
all finished
Step 5 – the finishing touch
Rake back the gravel around the plant stem to hide the membrane from view for a neat finish
Now you can just sit back and watch your gravel garden grow!