Levelling my garden - potential can of worms?

[fex10]

So this is what's been answered:

1/ If I'm using sub base do I put that on top of the top soil, or do I remove the top soil first?
r896neo says its to be removed

2/ What substrate? Is there anything cheaper that MOT1? Maybe just plain non clay soil?
It needs to be MOT1 so it can be compacted

3/ Do I then replace the top soil on top of the sub base?
Nope

4/ How thick should each layer be before I compact it?
No answer yet

5/ Do I pay to dispose of my top soil?
No answer yet. I just recall someone saying that top soil is expensive.

 

[dhutch]

What do you mean by patio.
- Cement pavers?
- Clay block pavers?
- Woodern decking?

You will also need to give some consideration to surface run-off if replacing soil with a non-permiable or semi-perminable covering.


Daniel

 

[fex10]

What do you mean by patio.
- Cement pavers?
- Clay block pavers?
- Woodern decking?

You will also need to give some consideration to surface run-off if replacing soil with a non-permiable or semi-perminable covering.


Daniel

We were thinking something cheap like crazy paving.

Yes, surface run off is an issue, I don't think the neighbour will appreciate it being dumped into her garden! It's a serious issue I imagine. Would a grill covered U channel along the lower side of the garden suffice and we take it to a soak away behind the house where there's open land? Have decided that we'll only improve the level of the garden, and leave some slope to save money and for surface run off.

 

[wrathkeg]

We were thinking something cheap like crazy paving.

It might be cheap to buy but bear in mind the time and effort it takes to lay it so it looks half decent.

 

[fex10]

We were thinking something cheap like crazy paving.

It might be cheap to buy but bear in mind the time and effort it takes to lay it so it looks half decent.

Ok. Can you suggest anything else?

 

[wrathkeg]

All of the usuals: blocks, slabs/flags, stone, gravel etc. All have their pros and cons, both aesthetic and practical.

 

[r896neo]

If you want to keep or try and sell the soil go nuts.

If you had it in small 30kg sacks i'm sure someone would take it away for free if you advertised it but I doubt you'd be able to talk anyone into paying for it.

You need to compact the MOT in 75mm layers with 10-12 passes on each layer with a normal hired plate. If you can hire a heavy vibrating roller or diesel plate then you could easily do 125mm at a time.

 

[dhutch]

Yes, surface run off is an issue, I don't think the neighbour will appreciate it being dumped into her garden! It's a serious issue I imagine. Would a grill covered U channel along the lower side of the garden suffice and we take it to a soak away behind the house where there's open land? Have decided that we'll only improve the level of the garden, and leave some slope to save money and for surface run off.

Indeed. As well as the practical considerations there is also legislation on the topic. but you are right that the key thing is that it ends up in a soak-away (ie, going into the ground as it would have done with lawn) rather than going into a drain or directly into a river.

Daniel