wrote:
Hi list!

I'm interested in putting gravel down to replace the grass in my small
front garden, mostly to reduce maintenance (terrace house, so to mow it
I have to drag the mower through the house). Would I be right in saying
the job is roughly:

1) dig out existing topsoil down six inches or so
2) lay impermeable plastic layer to kill weeds
3) get gravel delivered from local builders yard
4) haul gravel up onto garden (it's about 2 feet above ground level, so
I think this necessitates a 'barrow and has to be done by hand) and
spread it out with a rake.

The garden is quite small -- about 12ftx8ft, or thereabouts. The guy in
the local builder's yard reckoned a half-ton of chippings, quite chunky
ones (10-15mm or so, by eye). Does the amount seem about right to
everyone?

What about compacting, either the earth underneath or the gravel once
laid? This garden won't be walked on often or driven on, so is
compaction necessary?

Finally, costs. Seems like the DIY approach will be pretty cheap -- a
decent shovel and barrow, £10 or so for the impermeable layer, and
about £35 for the chippings. Have I missed something off the list? And
does anyone have any idea roughly what it would be cost to have the job
done by a professional? I've rung a half-dozen firms but none of them
are answering the phone.

Any help greatfully received!
[==================]

A couple of my neighbours have done this. One didn't use a plastic or
another membrane, and one used black butyl fish pond liner. Neither have any
weeds growing through. I have also seen it done with bark chippings instead
of gravel, which is much lighter to spread about. Again, no weeds have come
through. A lot of parks departments use bark chippings to avoid weeding in
flower beds.