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Do I need to lay a layer of hardcore for my new gravel garden path?

j_fleming03j_fleming03 Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Hi, I am laying a new gravel path in my garden. The picture shows my current garden path for reference. 

Essentially, I would like to ask, do I need to put down a layer of hardcore before putting on the new gravel? I have read some gardening articles which recommend this.

I was intending on just doing the following:
1. Dig up existing old gravel and remove existing old existing weed membrane.
2. Lay down new weed membrane.
3. Lay down new gravel. (Staffordshire Pink, 14mm gravel) 

I am hoping this will be enough to avoid weeds and be easy to walk on i.e. the gravel will not move much. 

Thanks in advance! :) 


Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    What's the problem with the existing gravel? If it's just that you're changing the colour/type of gravel or replacing damaged membrane, then I should think it's already pretty well compacted underneath and there'd be no need to dig out whatever's underneath and add new hardcore. Weeds will always seed into the top of gravel but they shouldn't be too hard to pull out if you catch them small.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • j_fleming03j_fleming03 Posts: 23
    Yes, we are just changing the colour/type of gravel for appearance sake and also the membrane was showing through the gravel. 

    Yes, you are right, currently the ground is well compacted i.e. no movement when we walk on the gravel. 

    What do you think would be the ideal depth of gravel, 4 inches? 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Whatever depth the edging allows for when you take up the old stuff, if you don't want to disturb the compacted ground underneath. Gravel that's too deep tends to shift around when you walk on it, like a shingle beach (apparently angular stone is better than rounded in that respect). My gut feeling is that more than an inch or two of loose gravel would shift around so if you end up with a deeper area than that when you've taken out the old gravel, it might be better (and possibly cheaper) to use a layer of compacted sub-base under the decorative gravel even if your ground is already compacted.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    I wouldn't have thought its necessary to pull out the old weed membrane either, just put a new one on top.
  • edhelkaedhelka Posts: 2,351
    I would use hardcore + 1-2 inches of the gravel. 4 inches would shift. The hardcore makes the path easier to walk on and is cheaper than the decorative gravel. But it depends on the depth you have there between the edges (unless you want to dig deeper). If it is shallow but well-compacted, you can skip the hardcore. If it is deep, hardcore is a cheap and functional filler.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Seems a lot of effort to go for just to change the colour. Being lazy, I would just add the desired new gravel on top and rake it gently so it's mixed together and covers the membrane. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 155
    I agree with Lizzie27.  Gravel over time seems to disappear (where does it go !?) and the membrane begins to appear.  I've been slowly  adding small bags of a lighter colour and raking it in.  The over all colour is gradually looking lighter than it was originally, the membrane gets covered up and it looks much better.
  • j_fleming03j_fleming03 Posts: 23
    Seems a lot of effort to go for just to change the colour. Being lazy, I would just add the desired new gravel on top and rake it gently so it's mixed together and covers the membrane. 
    True, its been hard work to remove the gravel :) Perhaps I could have just redistributed the gravel I had and added some new gravel... Still I'm hoping the new gravel will look nicer and maybe it will help keep the weeds away. 
  • j_fleming03j_fleming03 Posts: 23
    edhelka said:
    I would use hardcore + 1-2 inches of the gravel. 4 inches would shift. The hardcore makes the path easier to walk on and is cheaper than the decorative gravel. But it depends on the depth you have there between the edges (unless you want to dig deeper). If it is shallow but well-compacted, you can skip the hardcore. If it is deep, hardcore is a cheap and functional filler.
    Thanks, Could I use the gravel I have removed for the hardcore? 
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