replacing old lawn with stones

[con1_uk]

Hello all,

A few questions for you experts.

I have an old lawn area about 3 X 3 mtrs, it gets boggy so i have added drainage at the lowest point. I now want to cover with weed barrier and fill the area with a small path and nice stones/gravel. Can the weed barrier go onto of the grass or is there a better way? Do you plant before or after the stones?

Thanks all.

 

[Belboz]

I am sure you can lay the membrane over the grass but one of the experts will advise..

However, just before you decide to put stones/gravel down....

Are there any trees nearby?

Do you have planters or areas of open earth?

Do you have a lot of visiting birdlife?

Reason I ask is because I did something similar and there were issues..

B

 

[con1_uk]

Hello

1 small tree nearby
Area is surrounded by raised railway sleepers filled with plants
Lots of birds visit


What issues did you have please?

 

[Belboz]

I have a few more trees nearby but this was my experience:

(a) detritus from trees and plants was regularly deposited on the stones
(b) the stones became quickly soiled by bird droppings
(c) Loose earth/soil (small amounts) was blown on to the stones

The upshot of all these factors is the stones began to look much less attractive over time but the main issue was that the combination of all three resulted in tiny weeds growing all over the stones which, if not treated promptly, became larger and more prominent.

I did try keeping the stones clean with the hose but I still had to treat them regularly with weedkiller spray. After a couple of years, I got rid of the stones and re-did the area with topsoil and turf.

Now, all the issues have gone although I do have to keep the lawn nice....

You may be okay but, AFAIK, stones and gravel will always attract small weeds (growing on top and not through the membrane) due to the factors listed above and will always need treatment at regular intervals in the summer months.

 

[con1_uk]

Thanks for your reply, I am willing to put in the work to keep it looking tip top, I will save time not mowing it lol...


Anybody else on if I lay the weed barrier direct on the grass or not please.

 

[Andyc84]

personally, I would weed spray the whole area and then, after a couple of weeks (once the weedkiller has done it's work), I would dig the area over and remove any large weeds etc, then cover it.

after another couple of weeks, remove the fabric and kill/dig out any remaining plants, before covering again and laying your stones.

You can plant either before or after stones, if before, you cut a cross in the fabric and plant within the cross, if after you have to scrape away the stones and then cut the cross and plant.

But it may be a lot easier to tip your stones from a wheelbarrow before you plant...

 

[r896neo]

You can spray it and just membrane over it leaving the dead grass in situ.

It would be better to strip the turf but a question of time and money.

If you leave it you can get slightly rotting grass under there and plants planted into it will never thrive teribbly well.

If you dont intend to be walking on it much and not planting too much there i would leave the grass.

If its a path you walk on you really need to strip the turf and put down 2-3 inches of hardcore and compact before your membrane and stones.