The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:57 am**

Hello all,
I'm planning a garden path to go from lawn to shed, over soil. My thoughts so far are to dig out, lay a type 1 base and lay slabs on a wet mix. The slabs will be cheap, 450x450, laid two abreast about 5m long. The area isn't very level, but I thought the path would help as a reference point to level either side, so I would do the path first.

What I planned to do is: Lay and compact the base, say, 6" wider (or a bit more?) on each side than is required and enclose with timber batons to stop it spreading. The batons will help me level the path. I can then lay the slabs down the centre on a wet mix. The surrounding soil either side can be leveled up with the batons, the batons removed and the channels filled in, and then pea gravel over fabric over the soil, over the 6" 'border' of mot and up to the edge of the slab.

A wider base than the slab width means the base won't spread away from the edge of the slab into the soil and cause the edges of the slabs to collapse under pressure, correct?

Hopefully I'm thinking about this the right way but if my method is flawed please show me the way!

My other thought was to screed sand between batons, but would presume the batons would need to stay, and you'd see them, which doesn't look great. Besides I'm not confident I could measure accurately the correct width to fit slabs in all the way along the length.

I want to put proper landscape fabric down under everything if possible, as there is a risk of horsetail weed causing a problem.

Thanks again for any advice. Can probably do a photo if that helps.

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2011 11:14 am**

Sounds like you have studied the site well and have a good plan.

Don't make your mix too wet or you will have problems with floating ie: when you tap one slab down the one next to it will bounce up.

The fabric won't stop mares tail but it will slow it down.

Post some photos, they always help.

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:21 pm**

I would put a string line up and lay to that. I'd put an edging rather than shingle, as shingle can become messy with soil, grass cuttings, debris etc: Also weeds will start growing through. Then level your soil to your edgings after haunching. You are right to over dig a little to allow for type one. Your thinking along the right lines. good luck

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:53 pm**

Thanks for your replies.

The shingle was for the whole area, over membrane, surrounding shed and raised beds. This is at the bottom of the garden, which will be separated from the lawn by a raised flower bed, full width, with a 900 gap in it for the path.

I considered paving the area but it's a much bigger job and considerably more expensive. However, I didn't think about the shingle getting filled with debris. Hopefully it would be minimal as the soil is contained, the grass is separate, and the veg doesn't really shed anything unless you cut it off. I'm sure the wind would blow in enough rubbish though.

Hmm, might need to have another think. I do like to keep things tidy!

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:57 pm**

Oh and hopefully I can get a membrane (for either shingle or fully paved) that will be tough enough to prevent penetration by the mare's tails.

The Brew Cabin

Garden path