Do i really need to level the garden?

Bings99

I would like to a put a membrane and some stones down just to make the garden more tidy. I was mentioned that it might need levelling ( theres a height difference of maybe 10 or 15 cm from the entrance gate to the cellar door as a slow slope down) water when it rains never creates any flooding. It all seeps into the ground so far so its never been an issue. Would this change things? Any advice?

tacpot12

I don't think the garden will need to be leveled to avoid flooding the cellar. The membrane might cause water to flow towards the house slightly more than it does currently, but it should drain through the soil readily enough. 

Apodemus

...as long as it is a permeable membrane.  If some cowboy wants to put down a cheap plastic sheet (and charge you for a proper membrane), then you will end up with more water flowing towards your house!

Eldi_Dos

For peace of mind dig a trench 150/200mm deep along area  nearest to the house and fill with gravel before putting on porous membrane and the stones.

FreeBear

Bings99 said: I would like to a put a membrane and some stones down just to make the garden more tidy.

Please, don't use a membrane. Even if you use a permeable one, it will restrict the speed at which water will drain away. But that isn't the worst problem with the stuff.Weeds spreading underneath, the roots will knit in to the fabric as they try to find moisture. Put gravel on top, and weed seeds will germinate and send roots down. These roots will also knit into the fabric, and you will eventually end up with a carpet of roots. As the membrane is a plastic, the stuff can not be composted or recycled, so ends up in landfill. Bad for your pocket, and bad for the environment.

Best thing to do is to put a thick layer of gravel down - 50mm at a minimum. If you don't want the gravel migrating away from the area, put some gravel grids down first. Weeds will still take root, but glyphosate will knock them back.

Bings99

FreeBear said:

Bings99 said: I would like to a put a membrane and some stones down just to make the garden more tidy.

Please, don't use a membrane. Even if you use a permeable one, it will restrict the speed at which water will drain away. But that isn't the worst problem with the stuff.Weeds spreading underneath, the roots will knit in to the fabric as they try to find moisture. Put gravel on top, and weed seeds will germinate and send roots down. These roots will also knit into the fabric, and you will eventually end up with a carpet of roots. As the membrane is a plastic, the stuff can not be composted or recycled, so ends up in landfill. Bad for your pocket, and bad for the environment.

Best thing to do is to put a thick layer of gravel down - 50mm at a minimum. If you don't want the gravel migrating away from the area, put some gravel grids down first. Weeds will still take root, but glyphosate will knock them back.

Thank u . Not sure what gravel grids are? So u r saying no membrane? Glysophate is cancerous and bad for the environment?

Ebe_Scrooge

Bings99 said:

FreeBear said:

Bings99 said: I would like to a put a membrane and some stones down just to make the garden more tidy.

Please, don't use a membrane. Even if you use a permeable one, it will restrict the speed at which water will drain away. But that isn't the worst problem with the stuff.Weeds spreading underneath, the roots will knit in to the fabric as they try to find moisture. Put gravel on top, and weed seeds will germinate and send roots down. These roots will also knit into the fabric, and you will eventually end up with a carpet of roots. As the membrane is a plastic, the stuff can not be composted or recycled, so ends up in landfill. Bad for your pocket, and bad for the environment.

Best thing to do is to put a thick layer of gravel down - 50mm at a minimum. If you don't want the gravel migrating away from the area, put some gravel grids down first. Weeds will still take root, but glyphosate will knock them back.

Glysophate is cancerous and bad for the environment?

Where did you hear that?  There is no conclusive evidence that it's carcinogenic, and actually it's one of the better weedkillers from an environmental point of view.  It's only effective when absorbed by the leaves of a plant, and becomes inactive when it contact with soil.  Do you really think you'd still be able to buy it if it damaged either the environment or humans?