I want to build a gravel terrace, about two-thirds of which will be located under a balcony. The drip edge of the balcony will be over the terrace, while the remaining area will stay dry.
In the garden, there is already limestone gravel spread approximately 5cm (2 inches) thick and sand spread about 10cm (4 inches) thick.
My plan is as follows:
Excavate the topsoil to a depth of about 20cm (8 inches), then add 10cm (4 inches) of sand, a weed protection membrane, followed by 5cm (2 inches) of limestone gravel and 5cm (2 inches) of river pebbles (16-32mm).
Using the existing sand seems like a good idea to me, as otherwise I would have to dispose of it and bring in soil elsewhere.
I would border the terrace with the existing travertine curbstones, but I would need to bring in the gravel.
Does this make sense, or am I making a major mistake?
In the garden, there is already limestone gravel spread approximately 5cm (2 inches) thick and sand spread about 10cm (4 inches) thick.
My plan is as follows:
Excavate the topsoil to a depth of about 20cm (8 inches), then add 10cm (4 inches) of sand, a weed protection membrane, followed by 5cm (2 inches) of limestone gravel and 5cm (2 inches) of river pebbles (16-32mm).
Using the existing sand seems like a good idea to me, as otherwise I would have to dispose of it and bring in soil elsewhere.
I would border the terrace with the existing travertine curbstones, but I would need to bring in the gravel.
Does this make sense, or am I making a major mistake?
G
Gartenfreund10 Oct 2016 08:25I’m not sure if I fully understand your description, but let’s give it a try.
You have sand and gravel, and you want to use them. From my point of view, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Sand can also be used to loosen the soil, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be disposed of.
What do you do with the topsoil after that?
If the weed control membrane is permeable to water, this approach might work. However, I’ve never used something like that myself. It’s important to consider that many plants spread by seeds, so a weed membrane buried X cm deep might not be very effective.
A terrace with pebbles is not necessarily ideal, at least in my opinion. Chairs and tables can only be set down somewhat unsteadily. If you’re unlucky, a chair leg might suddenly slip between two pebbles at exactly the moment you’re holding a cup of hot coffee, which could be unpleasant.
How do you plan to keep the terrace clean? Leaves will blow onto it in autumn, or soil from the garden might be carried onto it (which can encourage plant seeds to grow). Personally, I would prefer to lay paving slabs with a slight slope toward the garden. But of course, that is entirely your decision.
I would also recommend installing a small channel on the balcony to direct water sideways into the garden so that it doesn’t drip onto the terrace.
You have sand and gravel, and you want to use them. From my point of view, there’s nothing wrong with that.
okapi schrieb:
In my view, using the sand is not a bad idea, since otherwise I would have to dispose of it and bring soil to another location.
Sand can also be used to loosen the soil, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be disposed of.
okapi schrieb:
Excavate the topsoil to about 20cm (8 inches), then add 10cm (4 inches) of sand, weed control membrane, then 5cm (2 inches) of limestone gravel and 5cm (2 inches) of river pebbles (16-32mm).
What do you do with the topsoil after that?
If the weed control membrane is permeable to water, this approach might work. However, I’ve never used something like that myself. It’s important to consider that many plants spread by seeds, so a weed membrane buried X cm deep might not be very effective.
A terrace with pebbles is not necessarily ideal, at least in my opinion. Chairs and tables can only be set down somewhat unsteadily. If you’re unlucky, a chair leg might suddenly slip between two pebbles at exactly the moment you’re holding a cup of hot coffee, which could be unpleasant.
How do you plan to keep the terrace clean? Leaves will blow onto it in autumn, or soil from the garden might be carried onto it (which can encourage plant seeds to grow). Personally, I would prefer to lay paving slabs with a slight slope toward the garden. But of course, that is entirely your decision.
I would also recommend installing a small channel on the balcony to direct water sideways into the garden so that it doesn’t drip onto the terrace.
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