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Levelling a garden

stephenpalmer9stephenpalmer9 Posts: 8
in Garden design
Hi all, first time poster. Looking for a bit of advice for my upcoming garden project. 

Planning on levelling a sloped garden (approx 8-10 inches away from the house), thereafter lay artificial grass. 

The soil under neath the grass is like clay and I fear trying to level it out by digging, forking, raking would be very difficult. 

I was thinking possible adding a layer of aggregate or similar and using this as a levelling tool, ie lay more at the slopped side. Thereafter lay the type 1/sand and prepare the ground the artificial turf. 

Would this work and does anyone have any suggestions of the best type of aggregate to use as a levelling substance.

would appreciate any advice. 


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Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    I think you need to google for specific sites giving info on ground prep for laying plastic grass as this is a forum for people who like plants and could tell you all you need to know about prepping for sowing grass seed or laying grass turf.

    I found this to start you off - https://www.artificialgrass-direct.com/diy-installation/

    As for the slope, it depends on the distance over which your garden drops those 8 or 10" and whether or not you can get machinery in to help you.   You certainly need to remove all organic matter - old grass and weed or plant roots - before you lay your aggregate as they will rot and cause sinking.   

    Is there a particular health or aesthetic reason for going with plastic?  It's dreadful stuff to recycle later on when it needs replacing, makes for a sterile environment inhospitable to all sorts of beneficial wildlife and soil organisms and it does need regular cleaning and hoovering as it will gather dust and debris and start growing weeds anyway and if you get the drainage element wrong there'll be flooding.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,507
    I see from your earlier post it's quite a big area so won't be cheap if you want to do a good job that will stay looking good for years.
    4 to 6 inches of aggregate is recommended with either 2 inches sharp sand or fine gravel on top then  you'll need a compactor plate to settle and firm. Artificial grass on top then more sand brushed in to weight it down. If you have a dog I would recommend looking at https://www.topdogturf.co.uk/
    I have a lawn rake I go over mine about twice a year and no weeds grow in it except near the border egdes where soil gets into it, but what lawn doesnt have weeds!
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 8,476
    Wanting or needing to use artificial turf does not mean the person does not like their garden nor that they will not have live plants in it.  A house near us has very natural looking artificial turf but the borders are packed with roses, dahlias and many other plants.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,252
    But the fact remains - they're covering most of the garden in plastic, which eventually has to go somewhere.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • sarinkasarinka Posts: 270
    Gardening is plastic intensive, though. I use plastic seed trays, pots, plant labels, twisty ties, compost bags (reused to line planters), watering cans, bottles of fertiliser- off the top of my head.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    All the more reason to find alternatives where possible then - metal watering cans, cardboard boxes of fertiliser granules, ice lolly sticks for plant labels, hemp string for ties......
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,507
    Why does every mention of artificial grass descend into the same debate on the pros and cons. 
    if you have real grass great,but if you want plastic it's akin to having ruined the planet.
    His garden, his choice, our job is to advise not take him to task.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,645
    @K67 I did advise.  I also asked a reasonable question which hasn't been answered.  My last post on here was in reply to sarinka, not the OP!
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,507
    @Obelixx sorry I wasn't really referring to your post as you did advise it's after you that the plastic debate got going!
    It happens every time and the same arguments are posted it's almost as bad as the 'cats' threads.
    Apologies once again just a bit irritated today!
  • stephenpalmer9stephenpalmer9 Posts: 8
    Hi guys. Thanks for the replies to
    my post so far. Wrongly assumed this would be the right forum, perhaps not. Don’t really want to get into a plastic pollution debate. 
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