Should i put weed fabric under decorative gravel?

[Abdev]

hi
ive had mixed answers on this subject.
should weed control fabric be used under decorative gravel of either pebels or plum slate? the thickness will be about 40-50mm.

most of the area will be a path around a lawn which wont get used much is mainly just for show. there will be some stepping stones installed right the way through the middle.

the gravel is going ontop of part soil, part hardcore and part gritt sand.

should fabric be used underneath or not?

thanks

 

[Belboz]

IMHO - Yes

I had a similar setup with purple slate. Bunged it on thick over the base thinking I wouldn't need fabric.

Problem was weeds have a habit of being able to grow in the tightest of spaces and through tiny gaps in the slate covering. After a couple of months, little weeds started coming through.

Okay - they were small and easy to weed but who wants to be doing that every few weeks in the good weather?

Upshot was I took the slate up, laid weed fabric and then put the slate over the top. I was especially careful with the edges and the weeds don't get through now.

I would suggest putting it down and saving yourself a lot of future hassle.

 

[rjm2k]

IMHO yes, makes me laugh when I see love your garden, they spend something like 30k+ on someone's garden and put half an inch of chippings or gravel down to make it maintenance free. They don't tend to show you much when they go back a couple of months later and the weeds must have started.

 

[r896neo]

If you use a hardcore sub base at least 50mm thick then personally i prefer not to use a membrane.

If its going direct on soil then definately do.

 

[xr4x4]

That said, weeds will still eventually grow in the stones.