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Gravel is a versatile option for home projects. It is low-maintenance and cost-effective compared to other materials. In addition, gravel provides excellent drainage, reducing the risk of flooding in your yard or driveway. Pairing gravel with a weed barrier fabric during installation can mitigate the risk of weed growth.

Weeds can grow through rubber mulch, but it depends on if you removed all the weeds in your garden beforehand. Weeds already in the soil can grow even when using rubber mulch. However, that doesn’t mean that your garden will be littered with rubber and weeds, but it does mean that the occasional weed might still pop up. Another way you can increase your weed suppression is by using landscape fabric as a second layer. 

You shouldn’t put topsoil over new grass seed. Even though it may seem like this would increase soil contact and help the seeds grow, adding more soil overtop of planted grass seed will only make it harder for water and oxygen to reach the grass seeds. If you want to protect the grass seeds, consider adding a thin layer of organic matter, such as straw or hay.

Pea gravel can retain some heat, but it generally stays cooler than materials like concrete, asphalt, or stone pavers. Lighter-colored pea gravel reflects more sunlight and tends to stay cooler, while darker-colored gravel can absorb heat and become warmer to the touch.