We've got this big area of gravel around our patio that's been there for a while. The old weed membrane underneath is no longer effective, which has led to a lot of weeds popping up, along with some debris like dead leaves and other mess mixed in over the years. We want to refresh it by replacing the membrane and adding new gravel. But here's the kicker—can we just scoop up the old gravel, clean it up a bit, and mix it with some new stones to save on waste and costs? I've got a quote from a gardener for a complete replacement, but I'm hoping to do this ourselves if it's feasible!
3 Answers
Yes, scoop it into buckets and wash it off! You want to do this after any hose pipe ban is over so you can wash thoroughly. Some debris will float off and some will sink, just keep rinsing until it looks good. You might have to buy a couple of bags to top it up, but it can work really well!
Got it! Yeah, I would top it up with a bag or two of fresh stuff as well, I guess.
I've done this before on a larger scale too, and it worked out great! Instead of the membrane, consider using gravel grids. They'll keep the stones in place much better and are easier than the weed barrier.
I've done exactly this over the past few years and it makes a lot of sense. Get a good riddle for separating the weeds from the stones, it saves a lot of backache!
Hmmm, but what if there's a lot of debris like leaves? Any tips on getting that all out?
Absolutely, you can definitely reuse that gravel! Just make sure to clean it up first. Most contractors will just resell the old stuff, and it feels wasteful to throw it away. Ask around—some might give you a discount for supplying your own gravel!
Right! I wonder if a tradesperson will accept my freshly washed gravel and do the membrane for me for a reduced price ?
Gravel is very cheap if you have a vehicle to collect it, local quarry is about £25 a tonne.
Rinse and repeat. Nice.