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New home with overgrown gravel garden

cazmac18cazmac18 Posts: 1
in Problem solving


Hi

I have recently moved into a new home with an extremely overgrown front garden.

I took the plunge yesterday and cut everything down but the gravel is mixed with moss, dead leaves, grass etc.

Im looking for advice on where to go next. My budget is tight and my thought is to rake it all up, put a new membrane down and use the chips. I know this is going to be a massive job and I don’t mind the hard work, however how to I separate the gravel from the weeds etc?

I’ve attached some photos so you can get a feel of what I’m dealing with. The middle picture is where I have got to.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you 

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Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    I would be tempted to pull away any dead stuff, dig up the obvious stuff like the grass and any weeds you can identify(in and under the shrubs as well) and then leave it for a season to see what the shrubs do when the spring and summer arrive.
    It isn't a huge job to get rid of the grass/weeds etc - you will be amazed at how much you can get done with a couple of afternoons of concentrated effort.
    Is there a membrane under the gravel at the moment?  
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I agree with Hogweed, it's not as daunting as it seems, you need to start off by raking out all the top growth dig down and remove all the taller weeds. Don't try to conserve that gravel, it looks like a light top cover which is decorative. I suspect there is not that much gravel to cover the whole front area. Wait to see what comes through next year and start planning what sort of front garden you have in mind. See how the tree performs throughout the year.

    Check your aspect and the type of soil you have underneath that gravel, that will help to know what you can plant there.
  • Garden noobGarden noob Posts: 260
    I agree with the previous advice. In the meantime, while you're waiting to see what grows in your garden, buy yourself some rooting powder and start eyeing up plants in your friends' and family's gardens. Ask for cuttings of your favourites, and you've got a year or so to bring them on in pots. When working on a budget, this is a very cost effective way to establish a garden. Same goes for growing anything from seed - you have time to bring it on if you're not going to do too much with the garden for the next year.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    On a tight budget, believe me, laying new weed supressant membrane and new chippings will be very expensive, where are you situated, does it face north,south etc.at least it is probably the correct time of he year to start this.I wouldnt worry about beging plants just yet, get it cleared see if there is already a decent memrane underneath.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Membrane stops worms working for you. 
    Offer beer and a barbeque at the end of the day and ask some friends round to help.
    Devon.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    As regards separating gravel from weeds & grass, as spring tine rake will be better than a conventional one. If you really want clean gravel if you get a deep tray (without holes) put the mixed gravel soil etc in & flood with water, swill round all the light organic particle will stay in suspension as will some of the finer soil. The gravel will sink to bottom you can then separate. It will take repeated attempts, a lot of work over a big area but possible if you are determined.
    AB Still learning

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    Allotment Boy said:
    As regards separating gravel from weeds & grass, as spring tine rake will be better than a conventional one. If you really want clean gravel if you get a deep tray (without holes) put the mixed gravel soil etc in & flood with water, swill round all the light organic particle will stay in suspension as will some of the finer soil. The gravel will sink to bottom you can then separate. It will take repeated attempts, a lot of work over a big area but possible if you are determined.
    When I had to do a similar task I half-filled a wheelbarrow with water and then used a strong garden sieve. Put the sieve in the barrow then tipped a half-shovel of soil / gravel / mud into the sieve, gave it a shake and poured the clean gravel into a bucket and repeat.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Agreed that would be a good pre-clean making the final wash much easier. Depends on just how clean you want the gravel.
    AB Still learning

  • Dave HumbyDave Humby Posts: 1,145
    It got the gravel very clean. I guess the abrasive action of the gravel on itself and also against the mesh of the sieve and also a quick push around with a gloved hand. I certainly didn't give it a 'final wash'. That was it!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    cazmac,
    do you want to plant up the garden or leave it with gravel on membrane?
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