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Gardening, help needed please

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Elham
Elham Posts: 18 Forumite
Sixth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 19 May at 3:27PM in Gardening
Hi everyone, 

I have a small patch outside my house which we neglected for some time and I would like to do something nice with it. 

I have cleared the bigger weeds but I noticed that there are lots of ants and some very small white coloured insects that I have not seen before and it got me thinking if this soil can be saved due to the amount of insects and weed. 

Also, when they built the house they put cardboard like thing between the wall and the soil, is this to protect from water seeping into the house? Can I remove it or replace it with something better? 

My third question was that this patch doesn’t have any holes or openings on the sides for rain water to escape from, we have never had any issues but could this cause any problems in the future. 

I have taken some pictures and posted it here as well 

Thank you in advance 

Comments

  • MSE_ForumTeam5
    MSE_ForumTeam5 Posts: 1,274 Community Admin
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hi. @elham We've moved this to the Gardening section of the Forum
    Official MSE Forum Team member. Please use the 'report' button to alert us to problem posts, or email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • HumberFlyer
    HumberFlyer Posts: 207 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Maybe put down a weed suppressant and cover with gravel
  • Elham
    Elham Posts: 18 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you, This looks amazing and I was thinking of doing something like this as it is low maintenance 
  • Spikeygran
    Spikeygran Posts: 97 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 20 May at 5:36AM
    Where is the Damp Proof Course (DPC)?  You should see evidence of a black bitumin sheet (like roofing felt)  or other more advanced product in the mortar between 2 rows of bricks.

    Ideally whatever you put down should finish with a clear margin (a few inches approximately) below the damp proof course.  You dont want soil or gravel covering it as it can lead to damp problems.  I suspect from the photos that the damp proof course may be lower and the boards put there to allow deeper soil?

    If so I think you will need to remove the soil to a level where you can lay weed inhibiting matting (plastic looking sheet with perferations) then add 2- 3 inches of your chosen decorative stone, making sure it ends below the DPC.
  • Spikeygran
    Spikeygran Posts: 97 Forumite
    10 Posts Name Dropper

    That does look very nice.
  • twopenny
    twopenny Posts: 7,518 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    But remember pots have to be watered at least a couple of times a week.
    That could be awkward.
    And unfortunately the gravel would collect blown leaves and maybe rubbish blown from the roads which would not rot down on the gravel like it would on soil.

    Have you dug down a bit? Just a hole somewhere to see what is underneath.

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  • Dustyevsky
    Dustyevsky Posts: 2,531 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Homepage Hero Photogenic
    twopenny said:
    Have you dug down a bit? Just a hole somewhere to see what is underneath.
    Until this is done, next to the house, and the damp proof course located, it's all guesswork. Soil or gravel should ideally be 150mm below that. A properly built house, with a DPC well above the soil level, doesn't need bitumen sheets to 'protect' it. Those strike me as a possible red flag.
    Also, while AI can make a neat design including pots, it won't water them! If containers are used, make them large enough to cope with a potentially dry situation.

    "There is no such thing as a low-energy rich country." Dr Chris Martenson. Peak Prosperity
  • -taff
    -taff Posts: 15,334 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    And if you do go down the gravel on top route, think about maybe resin for it, then at least you can brush dirt and leaves off.
    Non me fac calcitrare tuum culi
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,105 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    -taff said:
    And if you do go down the gravel on top route, think about maybe resin for it, then at least you can brush dirt and leaves off.
    This.  Even with a weed barrier under the gravel, you will still have to keep on top of the weeds as the seeds don't need soil to germinate.    
  • Elham
    Elham Posts: 18 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 20 May at 9:33PM
    Thank you all for your replies 

    My next job is to dig a little deeper and see what is underneath the soil and how deep it is. I will also check where the dpc is.  

    Also, I just realised that this was an AI image. I have been thinking how amazing is it that there is a house with the exact size and shape as my little garden 😂 

    I will take these points on board and I will send the final look once I have managed to finish the job 

    if there are any other suggestions please keep them coming. 

    Thanks guys 


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