Changing my lawn to a shingle/pebble area?

TUVOK

My smallish back garden faces due south so in summer fades badly as I don't water the lawn. The area is about 12 yards by 8 yards, so not big.
The lawn when it has enough water frames the surrounding small borders nicely but for the last few summers not looking too good as the summers progress.
I'm now in my late 70's, still fit so the mowing/ de-thatching etc is no real problem at the moment.

I would welcome views/ opinions  from any members who have converted their lawn to pebble/shingle, are you pleased or regretful? was the cost higher that you thought? if you did the conversion yourself? how hard did you find it?  

Thanks for any/all replies.

twopenny

My lovely neighbour did her front garden with pea shingle and patterns of block pavers and it looks great.
It does however still grow weeds which need to be hand plucked regularly,every week to keep it nice.
I also knew someone who used shingle as paths between plants which means you can get round the garden all year. Because it was walked on it got few weeds.

I'll see if I can dig out some photos later.
The materials don't cost much but it will be the labour. Levelling, laying membrane, edging and shingle. 

Silvertabby

Pebble/shingle over that area will be expensive.  And it certainly won't be easy care, if that's what you are looking for - weed blocking membrane will only stop (most of) the weeds growing from  underneath, it won't stop weed seeds from germinating in the gravel.

And finer/cheaper gravel could be seen as a giant kitty litter tray.........

Katiehound

Silvertabby said:

 

And finer/cheaper gravel could be seen as a giant kitty litter tray.........

a neighbour did away with everything green replacing it with mainly concrete and a couple of 'beds' of shingle/pebbles (not small stuff) perfect cat litter tray & all the cats in the neighbourhood have heard the news!

Floss

I recently had a shingle bed in my garden renewed, as the previous membrane had perished. For a bed of about 5 sqm the cost was £75 for a bulk bag of 10-20mm gravel with about 20% left (shop around - Beesley & Fildes cheapest followed by Travis Perkins), £15 for good quality membrane (Toolstation) and £200 labour to clear out & level the old bed, lay membrane & gravel (I've just had surgery so couldn't do it myself).

audaparizeau

Converting a lawn to pebble or shingle can be a viable option for low-maintenance landscaping. It reduces the need for watering and mowing. The cost can vary depending on the size of the area and the materials used. Doing the conversion yourself may require some effort, such as removing the existing grass and preparing the ground, but it's achievable with the right tools and resources.

Flugelhorn

I moved in to a house with a small garden with awful grass - got the grass taken up and replaced it with membrane and dorset gravel (20-25mm) - very pleased with the result

RAS

Another random thought. Replace with white clover? Low growing, will crowd out everything with time. Maybe mow or strim once a year?

Farway

RAS said:

Another random thought. Replace with white clover? Low growing, will crowd out everything with time. Maybe mow or strim once a year?

Good idea, and chuck some self-heal in there as a bee bonus

Eldi_Dos

@TUVOK,  
Have you thought about turning lawn into a wild meadow lawn, I am led to believe they do not need watered.
Could just mow path round edge to give access to flower beds.

twopenny

It looks very neat but the lady was out a couple of times a week weeding.

She passed a couple of months ago and the weeds are encroaching already.

I had considered it for my back garden which is so hot and with the very long dry spells the garden needs some adapting - however the stone would make it hotter still.