Putting paving slabs directly on dirt?

Katgoddess

I have a flower bed that keeps getting over run with weeds from next door, and I do not have the time or energy to maintain it at the moment or foreseeable future. (4 months pregnant)

I was thinking of getting some cheap paving slabs from Wickes (etc) and laying them down directly on the dirt and maybe throwing some grass seed or similar in the spaces between, so it looks slightly prettier than old carpet etc. I'm hoping it will be easier to maintain by using the strimmer to keep down the weeds in the spaces between the slabs which would be a 5 min job rather than constant bending down and weeding for the next five years!

I don't want anything permanent as I would like to use it as a flower or veg bed again in the distant future. It won't be walked on either, but maybe a plant pot on top.

Would this work? Would it be worth putting a layer of sand down first? (pretend I know what I'm talking about) Any tips or hints appreciated. :beer:

wallbash

Would it be worth putting a layer of sand down first?

Yes , if nothing else would make it easier to get the slabs level. pregnant ladies falling over uneven slabs is not good news.

Crinkmeister

Why don't you just turf it?

PasturesNew

I'd go down the route of laying a fat black plastic sheet down .... with stuff on top of that (bark, pebbles, shells).

martinthebandit

Personally in the situation you describe I would be putting down some polythene or other weed control fabric and then putting down bark chippings or similar.



PS don't skimp on the quality of the weed control fabric.

anotherbaldrick

Why not spray the 3 ft up to the fence with this stuff ?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bayer-Garden-Lasting-Ground-Sachets/dp/B002ATHZ5M/ref=sr_1_4/279-5357974-3424821?ie=UTF8&qid=1402687120&sr=8-4&keywords=weed+killer+sodium+chlorate

saversfriend

My dad laid our patio onto dirt about 20 years ago and it's still there!

Katgoddess

It's a thin strip about 50cm wide that runs down the side of fence that is on the side of the neighbours who has a garden full of vineweed. We've tried lots of weed killer type things but it keeps coming back.

The bottom half of the strip has some herb bushes that has managed to survive, so I think it would look weird with fully turfed grass or a full bed of bark chip on the top bit. I did think of that. The top half has a small old patio area next to it so it will kind of match?

themull1

Put membrane down then sand then paving, it wil be fine. Bark chippings rot, and go to mush so i wouldnt use them.

teddysmum

Bark chippings blow about and become ugly when they fade. Some types are also poisonous for pets.


How about weed retarding membrane or plastic, covered with large pebbles and a few large planted pots ?