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Covering an exhausting path

hannah_kyle_2000hannah_kyle_2000 Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hello, I'm looking for some advise. I have uncovered a brick path in my back garden, it was previously covered in grass. Since uncovering we have found the path to be extremely uneven and have decided to cover it and lay turf. What is the ablest way to cover and level? Many thanks

Posts

  • hannah_kyle_2000hannah_kyle_2000 Posts: 3

    the title should say existing path! ?

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    I have an old farm track under part of my garden. The lawn was laid on top with six inches of topsoil

    That is fine in wet weather, but in drought it goes brown quickly in that area. In the flower bed area, I am forever digging up boulders and half bricks. If I was starting from scratch, I would dig the lot up before making the lawn.

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904

    I like exhausting path better. I have one and it has given me achilles tendonitis! image 

    Dig it up and get rid as fidget says. It'll always be kicking up and causing problems otherwise.

  • ArtyliveArtylive Posts: 33

    Problem with existing paths is what's underneath it.  In my experience very often it's more rubble.

    It's always worth paying a ground worker to remove it.  I filled a large skip with a path I recently removed however on further digging I have discovered another concrete path much deeper with enormous chunks.  I have removed some but other bits have won the battle: I simply can't lift them. ( I also have a pile of rubble in the corner at the back of the garden now.)

    I believe gardeners have shared experiences of depressing problems from design elements that interfere with actual gardening.

    Laying a patio that takes up half the garden may not necessarily suit everyone in the future and in honesty gardeners love pottering about the flower beds designing beds for exciting colour, texture and diversity.

    Not everyone has the time or inclination; however it is true when selling houses with a good gardens it is believed achieve a 20% higher price than those that don't.

    Having recently moved into my current house the thing that made it a good one was the garden.  Not too big, manageable (as I'm getting on).  Something that I could turn into a beautiful oasis.

    Be gentle on yourself.  Get a professional to do the heavy work.  If you can't afford this then slowly remove the path bit by bit and enjoy the feeling once you've achieve it. May take a year or two.  Watch your garden evolve which takes time.  Small steps.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    I like the idea of an exhausting path better hannah - I've walked along many of those!  image

    I think if it's ever to look good, you have to remove it. Hard work, but you can always use the bricks for edging or a raised bed etc.  

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lou12Lou12 Posts: 1,149

    I'd leave it and cover it in creeping thyme, mind you it does depend how uneven it is!

  • hannah_kyle_2000hannah_kyle_2000 Posts: 3

    Thanks for the responses, going to attempt the dreaded task today

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