Aggregate is a handy and good-looking choice for paths, driveways, and garden beds. It gives you that neat, clean finish without much upkeep. But, if you’ve had aggregate for a while, you might have noticed it has a sneaky way of wandering off. Rain, wind, and even foot traffic can move it around, leaving bare spots and messy edges.
The good news is, you don’t have to keep topping it up every few months. With a few easy steps, you can keep your aggregate where it belongs, looking as fresh as the day you laid it.
Why aggregate moves in the first place
It helps to first understand why aggregate shifts or washes away.
- Rain
Heavy downpours can wash smaller pieces away, especially if your surface is on a slope. - Wind
In open spaces, fine gravel can get blown off bit by bit. - Traffic
Walking, driving, or even pets running through can kick stones out of place. - Poor prep
If the base wasn’t compacted or edged properly, aggregate will shift faster.
Knowing the cause helps you choose the right fix.
Ways to keep aggregate in place
Step 1. Start with a solid base
If you’re putting in fresh aggregate, the base is key. Make sure the ground underneath is level, compacted, and, if needed, has a layer of crushed rock beneath. This stops your aggregate from sinking or sliding over time.
At MI Organics, we often see jobs where the right prep was skipped, and the aggregate never had a fair chance. We’ve got the right supplies for a proper base, and our team across Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Townsend, Nambucca, and Woolgoolga can help you work out exactly what’s needed.
Step 2. Add edging
Edging is like a fence for your aggregate. Without it, pebbles, garden stones, and gravel will slowly creep out into the lawn or driveway. Edging can be made from timber, metal, stone, or concrete. Pick something that suits the style of your space.
If you’re after a natural look, garden stones or bigger rocks can double as a border while blending in with the rest of your landscape. For driveways or high-traffic paths, a sturdier option like steel edging might be the way to go.
Step 3. Lock it in with a stabiliser
There are products out there that work a bit like glue for aggregate. These binders or stabilisers coat the stones and help them stick together without losing that loose, natural look. This can be great for sloped areas or spots that get a lot of movement.
When you visit MI Organics, we can talk you through the options for keeping aggregate in place, and which stabilisers will work best with your chosen size and style of stone.
Step 4. Use the right size aggregate
The size of your aggregate makes a big difference. Smaller pieces are lighter and easier to wash or blow away. Larger pieces, like chunky pebbles or garden stones, stay put much better.
If you like the look of fine gravel but still want stability, try mixing in slightly larger stones. This gives the surface more weight while keeping the texture you like.
Step 5. Keep the surface topped up
Over time, even the best-kept aggregate will settle. Adding a light top-up once a year helps keep the surface level and prevents dips that can collect water. Those dips are often where washing away starts.
You can grab bulk aggregate from MI Organics in whatever amount you need, from a small trailer load to a truckload, so you can keep things looking even without breaking the bank.
Step 6. Fix drainage issues
If water is flowing through your aggregate every time it rains, it’s going to keep moving it around. Check the slope of your path or driveway and make sure water has somewhere else to go.
Simple fixes like adding a small channel drain or reshaping the surface can make a big difference. And if you’re not sure how to do it, it’s worth getting advice before you pour more gravel into the problem.
Step 7. Sweep it back in place
This one sounds obvious, but it works. Every so often, give the surface a sweep or rake to pull stray stones back where they belong. It’s quick, easy, and keeps things tidy.
Using the right tool helps, a stiff broom works well for fine gravel, while a leaf rake is good for pebbles and larger garden stones.
Choosing the right aggregate for your space
Not all gravel is created equal. Some styles are better for drainage, others for driveways, and some purely for looks. MI Organics offers a wide range of aggregate, gravel, and pebbles so you can match the right one to your space. If you’re in Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Townsend, Nambucca, or Woolgoolga, you can drop in and see the different options in person.
We can help you choose a type that’s less likely to move in your setup, which means less upkeep in the long run.
Adding personality with pebbles and garden stones
If you’re making changes to stop aggregate from spreading, it’s a good chance to refresh the look too. Adding some larger pebbles or decorative garden stones around the edges can create a natural barrier and add colour or texture.
You can even mix different sizes of aggregate to create a layered effect that’s not only pretty but more stable. The heavier stones act as anchors for the smaller ones.
Keeping it low-maintenance
The aim is to have aggregate that looks good without you having to fuss over it all the time. That means getting the base, edging, size, and drainage right from the start. If you’ve already laid your aggregate, adding a stabiliser, topping it up, and fixing drainage will go a long way towards stopping the spread.
At MI Organics, we’ve seen it all, from driveways that looked great for a week before the rain came, to garden beds that stayed perfect for years with the right setup. We’re happy to share tips and help you get the best from your aggregate.
Aggregate is a great choice for both practical and decorative areas, but it does take a bit of planning to keep it in place. A solid base, good edging, the right size stones, and proper drainage will keep it from washing or blowing away.
Whether you’re starting fresh or fixing up what you’ve got, these steps will help you spend less time topping up and more time enjoying your space.
And if you need quality aggregate, gravel, pebbles, or garden stones, with advice from people who know their stuff, MI Organics has yards in Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Townsend, Nambucca, and Woolgoolga ready to help. Contact us today!