These slabs are going to go under the greenhouses as their base. I was tempted to level the ground and put the slabs down then the greenhouses on top. But I am concerned about it moving and the glass being under pressure.
What is the best method of laying down the slabs? Do I need a trip to my local builders yard for some sand and cement? If so what is the process?
Get the ground as level as you can. Put a thick layer of damp sand or dry sand/cement down (it'll draw moisture out of the ground and the air). Go over it with a whacker plate (you can hire powered ones) to get the surface as level as you can. Lay your slabs and brush dry sand or sand/cement into the joints. If you only use sand, rather than sand/cement maybe put a membrane of some kind - a sheet of polythene, an old tarp, a bit of old carpet - because if weeds try to come up under the sand they can cause it to 'heave' and the slabs will start to lift. If you use a sand/cement mix, once it's 'gone off' it should be stable enough on it's own. If you have access to a rotavator, another option is to rotavate dry cement straight into the soil then whacker it and leave it for a few days. It will form a weak concrete that you can lay your slabs onto (with a sand bedding over it for levelling).
Last edited: 19 September 2017 08:59:01
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Your tip on mixing the soil with the cement took me back many years, its how we used to lay the paving slabs in our towns and streets and they have stood the test of time, only we used to use a rake and not a rotovator .
We used to mix the cement with the soil, using a heavy rake, then put sharp sand on the top, then level with the back of the rake, why sharp sand i have no idea, but it worked as the many people that have walked on them can testify.
My mum and dad have just retired and want to keep fit and active so it has gone from myself deciding what to do to three of us debating. Which I don't mind. It is good to have ideas to discuss.
after you have got the slabs settled and level scatter a shovelful of dry cement over the slabs and sweep in very robustly until the cracks are filled in.
As willbara said its the way councils used to do it and their work still stands.
I went up to the allotment today with my parents and discussed a plan of action. We had a look at the soil and it looks really good as it has been fallow for years.
Now here is my issue. My dad is adamant that it doesn't need any manure, but my opinion is that if we are getting rid of the top growth then rotivating it, we will need to suppress any new plant growth from the roots left in. Am I right in thinking this?
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These slabs are going to go under the greenhouses as their base. I was tempted to level the ground and put the slabs down then the greenhouses on top. But I am concerned about it moving and the glass being under pressure.
What is the best method of laying down the slabs? Do I need a trip to my local builders yard for some sand and cement? If so what is the process?
Get the ground as level as you can. Put a thick layer of damp sand or dry sand/cement down (it'll draw moisture out of the ground and the air). Go over it with a whacker plate (you can hire powered ones) to get the surface as level as you can. Lay your slabs and brush dry sand or sand/cement into the joints. If you only use sand, rather than sand/cement maybe put a membrane of some kind - a sheet of polythene, an old tarp, a bit of old carpet - because if weeds try to come up under the sand they can cause it to 'heave' and the slabs will start to lift. If you use a sand/cement mix, once it's 'gone off' it should be stable enough on it's own. If you have access to a rotavator, another option is to rotavate dry cement straight into the soil then whacker it and leave it for a few days. It will form a weak concrete that you can lay your slabs onto (with a sand bedding over it for levelling).
Last edited: 19 September 2017 08:59:01
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Raising Girl
Your tip on mixing the soil with the cement took me back many years, its how we used to lay the paving slabs in our towns and streets and they have stood the test of time, only we used to use a rake and not a rotovator .
We used to mix the cement with the soil, using a heavy rake, then put sharp sand on the top, then level with the back of the rake, why sharp sand i have no idea, but it worked as the many people that have walked on them can testify.
So basically the sand and cement is dry?!
But it forms a solid base?
I like the idea of rotivating it in the soil.
My mum and dad have just retired and want to keep fit and active so it has gone from myself deciding what to do to three of us debating. Which I don't mind. It is good to have ideas to discuss.
I am meeting them later for a plan of action.
after you have got the slabs settled and level scatter a shovelful of dry cement over the slabs and sweep in very robustly until the cracks are filled in.
As willbara said its the way councils used to do it and their work still stands.
I went up to the allotment today with my parents and discussed a plan of action. We had a look at the soil and it looks really good as it has been fallow for years.
Now here is my issue. My dad is adamant that it doesn't need any manure, but my opinion is that if we are getting rid of the top growth then rotivating it, we will need to suppress any new plant growth from the roots left in. Am I right in thinking this?