Removing gravel landscaping and replacing with lawn

[tjk123]

We've got a gravelled back garden which we want to remove and lay turf on. I'm Planning to remove all the gravel and the weed membrane and then dig down 3 inches, replace with topsoil, level and lay turf. Anything else we should be doing? I hear sharp sand is good for drainage, or should we rake in some of the gravel?

[battered]

If your soil is horrible craggy clay, possibly. If it's normal loam a based topsoil, no. Chuck some gravel in by all means. Just watch it's not too close to the surface as stones rise in a lawn, no idea why, and you'll be picking gravel off the grass for years to come.

[GreenDog]

I did exactly this 4 years ago. Bought a cheap electric rotorvator for £65 to turn over the compacted earth once the gravel was gone.

[8-P]

Dont underestimate how deep and how long removing the gravel may take. I had some down the side of my house, a paths worth. Its been something like 50 rubble sacks, heavy b4stards so far and Im not done.

But - I advertised it on a local for sale facebook group and was overwhelmed with people wanting it so that helped with labour and not going to the tip, but ofcourse most cars will only take 10 or so, so not quick to get rid of. I have no idea why people do it, we looked at a nice house and the whole back garden had been done with slabs and gravel, it was a state. The owner even offered to get rid of it to sell the house. He also had mint Mexy in a garage that had been widened just for the car!!

[SilverSpur]

battered said:

If your soil is horrible craggy clay, possibly. If it's normal loam a based topsoil, no. Chuck some gravel in by all means. Just watch it's not too close to the surface as stones rise in a lawn, no idea why, and you'll be picking gravel off the grass for years to come.

Sharp frosts in winter will bring stones and gravel to the surface. This is the answer.

[red_slr]

I would remove the gravel, remove the geo tex and then dig down 150mm and see just how wet it is first.

Report back, poss with pics.

[tjk123]

It's pretty compacted and full of clay. We've rotavated it and are going to wait for some drier weather before raking and levelling then adding topsoil. Digging over clay ridden clumps of earth mixed with gravel ain't much fun....
Anyone recommend any good turf suppliers (near Bath), or offer any insight on what one should be looking for in a decent turf? Thanks for all replies so far, much appreciated.

[530dTPhil]

tjk123 said:

Anyone recommend any good turf suppliers (near Bath), or offer any insight on what one should be looking for in a decent turf? Thanks for all replies so far, much appreciated.

Raycox in Yate are very good. Used them several years ago and got good service from them too.

[red_slr]

How much do you need?

[bristolbaron]

tjk123 said:

It's pretty compacted and full of clay. We've rotavated it and are going to wait for some drier weather before raking and levelling then adding topsoil. Digging over clay ridden clumps of earth mixed with gravel ain't much fun....
Anyone recommend any good turf suppliers (near Bath), or offer any insight on what one should be looking for in a decent turf? Thanks for all replies so far, much appreciated.

Speak with Ed - http://www.ehlandscapes.co.uk/ He's Based between Bristol & Bath and familiar with good turf suppliers in both. He's also very reasonable for laying it too so worth getting a price! Let him know Baz recommended him.

[944fan]

I did this a few years back. Advertise the gravel on Freecycle, unless you want it. Someone took the lot and even helped me shovel and bag it.

[8-P]

944fan said:

I did this a few years back. Advertise the gravel on Freecycle, unless you want it. Someone took the lot and even helped me shovel and bag it.

Just like me, win win. Saved me at least 5 trips to the tip and 20 ibuprofen