Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Nick
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Gravel driveway constructionOur driveway is gravel and needs redoing. We did it about seven years ago, but the gravel has gone, sunk into the mud, and greenery is growing through it. We park on it, and, obviously, drive on it. Our soil is wet and the water table is often not far below, sometimes above.
I'm assuming a water permeable membrane would prevent the mud coming up, and the gravel going down, and keep it more gravelly, longer. Or do I want the plastic grid type things?
Any experience here, please?
Area to be covered is about 30m x 6m.
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Ty Gwyn
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Personally i would`nt bother with the membrane after seeing a drive that had been done a few years previously,
Dig out and replace with hardcore,get a layer of big stones in the base then a layer of fist size to level with,roll down ,then lay your gravel.
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oldish chris
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Personally i would`nt bother with the membrane after seeing a drive that had been done a few years previously,
Dig out and replace with hardcore,get a layer of big stones in the base then a layer of fist size to level with,roll down ,then lay your gravel. | I'm sure I've come across this idea before: http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Roman-Roads-in-England/
and I have! Sometimes drives made as Ty Gwyn suggests last for quite a few years
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Nick
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Yeah, time and budget doesn't really allow for that method, and weeds would still grow.
Back to the question, then.
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sean
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I reckon plastic grid things then. The membrane pores will just clog up.
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Falstaff
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When constructing soakaways or French drains or hardstandings on site we always use Terram as the containing envelope.
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onemanband
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On soft/wet ground lay matting first to stop mud mixing with base material. Then as deep a base as you can be bothered/afford. On good ground, that's at least 4 or 6 inches of hardcore. Roll. Then add an inch or two of MOT(crushed granite). Roll. Add a THIN layer of gravel and roll into MOT. Then another THIN gravel layer.
Ideally the gravel should be 2 pieces of gravel deep - first layer rolled into Mot , the second layer to fill the gaps.
Regardless of construction, gravel drives will get weeds. Seeds land, they grow.
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kGarden
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I don't know much about it, but we too have a gravel drive. There is some hardcore under it, but the gravel disappears over time, and as it gets thinner more weeds grow and have to be tackled.
We top up the gravel every few years, and the thicker layer reduces the weed seed germination.
If yours has lasted 7 years since last topped up maybe all it needs is a top-up?
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onemanband
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Yeah, time and budget doesn't really allow for that method, and weeds would still grow.
Back to the question, then. |
Not heard of that. Makes sense. I have an old bag of lime and a weedy area (despite a foot of hardcore, the lack of traffic means the adjacent planted area soon colonizes it)
I shall report back next year
It doesn't work - we've got weeds growing on 18 inch of limestone.
Mistress Rose
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Depends on what 'lime' you are using. Calcium hydroxide will raise the pH and is not a good idea for drinking water. For anyone living in an acid soil area, it will be neutralised, but slowly.
Chalk or limestone are basically a mixture of calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate and calcium sulphate with a few other things thrown in. They are a lot less alkaline, and will only affect plants that are lime intolerant.
From what you have posted Nick, I don't think any sort of lime on your drive is going to stop the weeds, and won't be good for your well.
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