Creating a patio using Slate Chippings

djenks_2

The bottom half of my garden is really muddy and I am struggling to get grass to grow there. I was thinking of replacing most of the grass with slate / gravel chippings but have no idea of where to start of what to do. Can anyone help?

Thanks, Dawn

nodwah

Most of my garden is pretty soggy and the bits where my DH has put chips down are still soggy and the chips just sink in when you stand on them. SO I'd say you'd better do some digging out and fill the trench with rubble or large scalpings then probably cover that with one of those membranes and then put your chippings down. I know it's a lot of work but it's going to stay soggy unless the water has somewhere to go!

bina72

Hi Dawn,
I did this about a year ago. I had a patch that wouldn't grow, mainly due to human traffic. I decided I would get rid of the turf & put slate chips down.
There's a bit of work involved but it's very rewarding!
First you'll need to measure the area. The bags of gravel don't go very far, they give a rough estimate on them (I can't remember of the top of my head), but you'll probably need more than you think, it can get quite expensive (you can always take the unused stuff back if you have leftovers)
Dig out the turf (keep this, if you lay it grass side down in about 12 months it'll be lovely loam, you just need a patch of garden where it won't really be seen!). Rake over, remove any stones then flatten the area by trampling it. Get some weed membrane from Wilkies or B&Q. Cut it to shape & lay it out. Then pour on your gravel bringing it level with your remaining lawn. Done! It looks great when it rains.
The cheapest gravel tends to be the purple stuff. I put this colour down as the base & then sprinkled a mix of blue & green over the top. I think it looks lovely & I did it myself!
Maintenance wise you will find yourself picking up stray gravel here & there, but nothing back-breaking!
Hope it works for you.