skip to main content

Landscape Design Garden Restoration Design Dilemma

Gravel garden problems

2 years ago

Hi! I’m in desperate need of advice. I’m helping a friend redo her garden. At the moment the place is covered with a broken weed membrane, pebbles and weeds. I think we should remove everything and start all over again. But she wants to put a new weed membrane on top of the mess as is and just add gravel. Has anyone tried this before? Will it look as terrible as I am predicting? Or could this actually work? Thanks in advance!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
"Will it look as terrible as I am predicting?"

Yes :-) Taking shortcuts like this rarely turn out well when gardening. Take the time to do it properly. Kill off all the weeds (use the method of your choice but for convenience and speed, I'd go with an herbicide). Rake to clear out all the debris. You can take the time to remove and replace the weed fabric - under the gravel is about the only place I'd recommend using - or leave what's there in place and add more gravel to cover fully and even things out.

Weeds will still appear from time to time, with or without the weed fabric so your friend will need to be diligent about getting on them as soon as they appear, not waiting until they start to take over.

Because you are adding more gravel, you may need to reset the pavers so they are at the correct level.
nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Ria P..I agree with you..

weed fabric covered with gravel created an undesirable result..wouldn't a second layer make it worse?..have you ever noticed all of the "free gravel if you remove" online?..I'd remove it or offer for free..I see the same ads for awhile.."free gravel" isn't a deal for the taker..in my opinion the owner wins if someone takes it..
Related Discussions
Soil, gravel and a new veg garden
Q
Comments (8)
Hi! My house is about 6 years old. We purchased it a couple years ago. Turns out the builders did the same thing to our yard. We didn't realize that until I had hired someone to rototill a nice big patch of lawn up for us though. He mentioned to us that we might consider building up, rather than digging down, for a garden, due to the sheer number of rocks he hit. That year we didn't listen and started to dig... we soon had enough giant rocks to line flower beds around two trees, the back of our house, and the front. We still have a pile of small stones left over. We got a decent garden that year, but nothing extraordinary. This year, for my birthday, my husband bought 5 cubic yards of compost for me to lay down in all of the flower beds and the garden. We probably put down about 5" or so over the garden, and things are growing like crazy this year! I recommend bringing in dirt, rather than digging down, if your situation is anything like mine. Hope that helps, Jill
...See More
Huge gravel problem
Q
Comments (6)
Unless there are other underlying problems with that gravel the drainage should be pretty good, maybe too good. It may be that this gravel was a misguided attempt to solve a drainage problem, too. The plastic is going to be a problem for a long time since it is difficult to remove and is falling apart now, but the solution for you is to add organic matter to this soil, as much as you possibly can. Where you want to plant a garden this year maybe purchasing large amounts of compost for that area and planting cover/green manure crops in other areas. It probably is not cost effective, or even desireable, to remove that much of your soil.
...See More
wooden garden shed - gravel or timber foundation
Q
Comments (3)
Somewhat depends on your soil conditions. If sandy and well draining, you could put the timbers on the ground. If the soil has lots of clay and doesn't drain well, the gravel would be in order. I build a 8x12 shed with a regular floor system (rim joists and floor joists) on top of 3 rows of railroad ties. I did put in a couple of inches of sand underneath the ties for drainage even though ties are heavily treated. Also made leveling much easier.
...See More
Problems with leaves on gravel?
Q
Comments (0)
Hi Houzz Members, My name is Ross Whillis and I am a product designer. Recently I have been working on a product which removes leaves from gravel without removing or displacing the gravel. The design picked up an award in last years James Dyson Awards making the international top 20! If anyone is experiencing issues removing leaves from their gravel I want to hear from you. Your feedback is very valuable. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/65F2Z8T Thanks!
...See More
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Contrasting materials look great

I'd also give some consideration to artificial turf instead of stones.
D M PNW
2 years ago
The previous owners of my house did that, 3 times. It is awful. I have no good feelings toward any of the previous owners.

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Ways to Put Gravel to Work in Your Garden

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Use gravel for pathways and patios, as a mulch for garden beds, to reduce rainwater runoff and more

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Select the Right Gravel for Your Garden

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Answer these 7 questions to find the right gravel size, color and texture for your needs and landscape style

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Enjoy the Romance of Dining in a Classic Gravel Garden

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what to consider when it comes to installing, styling and maintaining a DIY-friendly gravel patio

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: An Abundant Garden Stretches Its Means

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Swaths of resilient, eye-catching plants thrive with little care or resources in the landscape of a Pennsylvania farmhouse

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: How to Build a Garden in an Urban Canyon

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Skyscrapers, noise and deep shade create an unlikely sweet spot for a timeless green retreat in New York City

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: Rustic Simplicity in a Country Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Editing thoughtfully and adding some magic result in a timeless weekend retreat

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Problem Solving With the Pros: A Garden Built From Scratch

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Nature is reintroduced and redefined in a Dutch urban setting, to forge a dynamic relationship with city dwellers

GARDENING GUIDES How Succulents Can Solve Your Garden Problems

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

This large group of undemanding, water-wise plants offers pretty and practical answers to your gardening dilemmas

PLANTING IDEAS Ferns: A Shade Gardener’s Best Friend

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring rich texture and contrast to a dark woodland landscape with wonderfully diverse ferns

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden

By Olander Garden Design

See an ancient building technique that’s held stone walls together without mortar for centuries

Sponsored

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers

49 Reviews

Columbus Area's Luxury Design Build Firm | 17x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Which Vines do you recommend?

1

Landscaping the side of the deck skirt

19

Help with curb appeal

11

Update exterior and add landscaping

10

What is the usual soil ph of my area in NE OH?

4