If you try and do half a job by covering the slate you'll find your lawn will struggle because of it. The roots will struggle to penetrate the slate and will dry out come summer creating a dead yellow awful mess and a complete waste of money.
What you could try doing is sticking a post up on gumtree asking if anyone wants free / cheap slate chippings: all they have to do is take them away themselves! Ask around with friends and family as well: there's a lot to be said for labour that can be brought with promises of a BBQ and drink when you're all finished and if it helps someone else finish their garden even better.
With regards to topsoil I had it delivered in one ton bags straight to my driveway from the local builders merchants. I just needed to wheelbarrow it into the back garden.You shouldn't struggle at all with getting it.
Now there are advantages and disadvantages to turf verses grass seeds. But with BOTH you wont be walking in it for at least a month while it establishes itself. Turf costs more but does create an instant effect and of course by covering the soil stops weeds establishing themselves. Remember with BOTH to choose a type of grass suitable for you: do you need it to be hardwearing for animals and children for instance? Seed is hugely cheaper but you do loose that instant effect.
Of course if you want an instant garden that you can walk on straight away with minimal fuss have you considered artificial turf? You wouldn't need to worry so much about the slate removal (no roots = no problem) and it can be fitted in a day. Maintenance is somewhat easier and it will always be ready for summer.
I have been looking but the artificial grass was coming out much more expensive for anything decent.
I may be able to remove the slate or most of it first now and if I then turn over the soil that is there would I still need top soil ? Guessing the answer to that is yes lol.
I have decking that is quite big that has the potential to 'hide' a lot of the slate and i do have a large bag on the drive from previous stones so could always put the rest into the bag free for to a collector.
ideally I would like to have real grass whether it be turf or seed but I'm lazy and seed seams like a lot, lot more persistence and perseverance to get a great looking lawn.
also in answer to your question I need it to be hard wearing for child too.
If you want grass then you shall have it, but it is a small area, and as such if you give it over to grass you'll have to keep it mostly clear, and likely you will trample over and wear it out if used regularly. That could be why the slate is there in the first place.
Why don't you like the slate?
You could always put another gravel type more to your liking over the top, and forget the grass.
I have friends with a small garden and a child, and they went the artificial route, it remains nicely trimmed, is green all year round and they seem to like it.
I despise the stones, definitely feel that I need grass in the garden. I have decided to get rid of all the slate and rotivate the soil that is there and then add top soil if required and then turf on top.
i just hope that I can get up to a similar level to the man hole in the middle of the garden
I have been looking but the artificial grass was coming out much more expensive for anything decent.
I may be able to remove the slate or most of it first now and if I then turn over the soil that is there would I still need top soil ? Guessing the answer to that is yes lol.
I have decking that is quite big that has the potential to 'hide' a lot of the slate and i do have a large bag on the drive from previous stones so could always put the rest into the bag free for to a collector.
ideally I would like to have real grass whether it be turf or seed but I'm lazy and seed seams like a lot, lot more persistence and perseverance to get a great looking lawn.
also in answer to your question I need it to be hard wearing for child too.
My issue is slightly different in terms that my lawn gets boggy on occasions and I am unable to stop weeds coming through despite regular treatment. I am considering removing the turf and just replacing it with a membrane topped with slate. Can someone please advise if this will improve the drainage? Sincere thanks
Posts
If you try and do half a job by covering the slate you'll find your lawn will struggle because of it. The roots will struggle to penetrate the slate and will dry out come summer creating a dead yellow awful mess and a complete waste of money.
What you could try doing is sticking a post up on gumtree asking if anyone wants free / cheap slate chippings: all they have to do is take them away themselves! Ask around with friends and family as well: there's a lot to be said for labour that can be brought with promises of a BBQ and drink when you're all finished and if it helps someone else finish their garden even better.
With regards to topsoil I had it delivered in one ton bags straight to my driveway from the local builders merchants. I just needed to wheelbarrow it into the back garden.You shouldn't struggle at all with getting it.
Now there are advantages and disadvantages to turf verses grass seeds. But with BOTH you wont be walking in it for at least a month while it establishes itself. Turf costs more but does create an instant effect and of course by covering the soil stops weeds establishing themselves. Remember with BOTH to choose a type of grass suitable for you: do you need it to be hardwearing for animals and children for instance? Seed is hugely cheaper but you do loose that instant effect.
Of course if you want an instant garden that you can walk on straight away with minimal fuss have you considered artificial turf? You wouldn't need to worry so much about the slate removal (no roots = no problem) and it can be fitted in a day. Maintenance is somewhat easier and it will always be ready for summer.
I have been looking but the artificial grass was coming out much more expensive for anything decent.
I may be able to remove the slate or most of it first now and if I then turn over the soil that is there would I still need top soil ? Guessing the answer to that is yes lol.
I have decking that is quite big that has the potential to 'hide' a lot of the slate and i do have a large bag on the drive from previous stones so could always put the rest into the bag free for to a collector.
ideally I would like to have real grass whether it be turf or seed but I'm lazy and seed seams like a lot, lot more persistence and perseverance to get a great looking lawn.
also in answer to your question I need it to be hard wearing for child too.
If you want grass then you shall have it, but it is a small area, and as such if you give it over to grass you'll have to keep it mostly clear, and likely you will trample over and wear it out if used regularly. That could be why the slate is there in the first place.
Why don't you like the slate?
You could always put another gravel type more to your liking over the top, and forget the grass.
I have friends with a small garden and a child, and they went the artificial route, it remains nicely trimmed, is green all year round and they seem to like it.
Last edited: 31 May 2016 13:05:04
I despise the stones, definitely feel that I need grass in the garden. I have decided to get rid of all the slate and rotivate the soil that is there and then add top soil if required and then turf on top.
i just hope that I can get up to a similar level to the man hole in the middle of the garden
I am considering removing the turf and just replacing it with a membrane topped with slate.
Can someone please advise if this will improve the drainage?
Sincere thanks