Why Granite Chippings are Ideal for Your Garden

Madingley Mulch has just extended its range of granite chippings which are now available from its base on the outskirts of Cambridge. Here we take a look at some of the key advantages this material offers, and why we are your best port of call if you want to use it for a hard landscaping feature in your garden.

 

They are Very Hard

Granite is one of the hardest rocks around, having been formed by volcanic activity. It consists of a mix of minerals, including quartz and feldspar, and because these are mixed together (and not in separate layers like some other rocks) it is intrinsically harder. This means that the chippings won’t weather much wherever you put them, making them the perfect long-term investment.

 

They Can Act as Mulches

Non bio-degradable mulches (that is, those which aren’t made out of organic material such as bark or wood chippings) won’t boost the fertility or structure of the soil. However, using granite does have some benefits.

Firstly, it won’t damage any plants in your flower beds because the chippings simply sit on top of the existing soil. Secondly, it will suppress weeds and conserve moisture in your flower beds, in part thanks to their heavy weight. Lastly, granite chipping will help drain the soil, preventing it from becoming overwatered or puddles developing during heavy rain.

 

They Can be Used as Water Features…

Some natural stones, particularly those containing lime, can alter the pH balance of your pond water which is potentially dangerous to fish. However, this isn’t the case with granite chippings so you can use them in any kind of water feature. And some of them, for example, our 14mm red granite (pictured above) will deepen in colour when wet, making it really stand out.

 

…and They Have Other Uses Too

You don’t need to use them just as mulches or in water features. Granite chippings can also be used as driveways and pathways. They add a striking decorative touch, and are also a good security measure because you will hear the crunch underfoot as someone walks on it.

 

They Can be Bright and Colourful

Granite doesn’t need to all be one colour. As well as our red granite, which is also available in a 20mm size, we have a range of other colours, including green and our greyish-blue 14-16mm Berwyn Green. These can be mixed and matched in any part of your garden, which can create some striking effects.

Bear in mind that the climatic conditions in your garden should influence your choice, particularly if you are using it as a mulch. The Royal Horticultural Society points out that dark-coloured materials will warm the soil in the sun, whereas light-coloured mulch will reflect sunlight and keep roots cooler in strong sunlight.

 

Granite Chippings in Cambridge from Madingley Mulch

As well as granite chippings, we also stock a range of other decorative stone chippings for customers across Hertfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and our home county of Cambridgeshire. These include gravel, flamingo and our special multi-mix. For a full list, follow this link.

You can either order online as we have regular deliveries to Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex as well as closer to home in Cambridgeshire. Alternatively, you can visit us in person at our base on the edge of Cambridge. For more details on our delivery service, and how we calculate the charges, visit our deliveries page.

If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to call us on 01954 212144.

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