As a complete newcomer to gardens/landscaping and in an attempt to save on exhorbitant fees I've been quoted, I would be very grateful for any advice, though I've managed to glean some very useful info so far from PavingExpert
I've a particularly nastily built back garden which consists of badly laid flags and turf - typical new build type scenario though about 5 years old now
I wish to create a gravel garden with a small area of new flags directly outside the conservatory and intended to proceed as follows:
1) Remove all existing flags
2) Level off all of garden to include spaces were flags were removed from
3) Lay membrane across all the area to be gravelled
4) Lay new flags - what should they be laid on? (I suspect old ones were on sand which I intended to repeat. Old ones also laid butted against each other with small gaps which I'm sure is bad!)
5) Build 2 long rectangular planters out of timber and position them straight onto membrane
6) Fill planters with soil / cut into membrane where required for increased depth
7) Lay job lot of gravel and rake flat Plate compactor for gravel?
9) Attach willow screening to existing fencing which looks like it was put up by someone who was drunk
I would be grateful for any advice but the particular questions I have are:
Am I doing this in the right order?
What should I use to level off the garden once the flags are removed?
Do I need to separate the gravel from the flags? - if so, what should I use to stop them spreading?
As the end house, I have 4 very ugly looking drain/manhole covers and intended to just lay gravel over the top to hide them. Is there a neater solution which still allows access to them, please let me know
Any help much appreciated!
PS I would attach a picture of the existing garden prior to 'demolition' but not sure how
Will do Tony, I'll get back on and read through more. As I'm new to this it's just a little overwhelming that's all as there is a wealth of information in all kinds of different places. I appreciate there isn't a cookbook approach to what I'm doing but just wanted to get to an answer as directly/quickly as possible
As far as sub base is concerned the flags that I am removing just have sand underneath them and the rest of the garden is turf/soil
When I'm in the process of levelling the garden are you suggesting that I need some some sort of sub-base put down or just for the newl flagged area?
"We use a different construction for garden ground cover to that illustrated below for paths and drives. The amount of excavation is reduced to a minimum, and usually consists of little more than skimming off the surface vegetation. Once the chosen area has been dug-off, and any edgings installed, a permeable landscape fabric"
Further to last mail and given the above I just intended to buzz down the grass/weeds and lay the membrane on top for most of the garden. However you have got me thinking and I am wondering whether the middle area which will be trafficked a lot more (where the flags to the back gate used to be) may need a sub-base put in, of what nature I'm not sure yet
Still think those fees are 'exhorbitant'?
Might be worth bearing in mind that this is how many of us posters make our living, and I certainly don't live like a king!
You don't need a sub base, but you do need to remove all organic matter. Either dig it out by hand or get a rotovator. Re-compact the soil as best you can and then put the membrane down. The key to a gravel garden is use the absolute bare minimum of stone to cover the ground: this is cheaper, easier to maintain and harder for weeds to take hold than if you lay it thick. Take your time with the ground prep - getting it level and firm - don't rush to get the gravel down as that's the easy bit at the end.
Plate compactor for gravel?