Getting rid of pebbles & replacing with grass - help!

[divadobs]

Our garden is partly covered in pebbles and at the back there is MDF wood (cheap version of decking I guess)and a pond. I hate it and I am finally getting rid of the MDF wood (which has weathered awfully), the pond and all the pebbles in order to put grass down.
The problem I have is, my garden slopes down significantly and I want to make it all level. How can I do this? Can I put breeze blocks down to bring it all level then soil on top and then buy the grass to go on top?
I need to keep it as reasonable as possible price-wise so any handy tips would be very much appreciated!

[anitajayne18]

Hi divadobs,
You don't give any size of your garden. I assume it's not to large?
I would suggest that you clear all pebbles, decking, pond etc., You may have to hire a skip for the disposal of this.
I certainly would not recommend making up levels with breeze blocks, or any other type of unnatural fill. If the area of your garden is too large to form a level surface with the soil being taken from the top to make up the lower areas. I would suggest that you form "terracing" in stages that suits the length of the garden..you could form steps to each terrace...the lawn to the flat surfaces will be quite easy to cut with a standard lawn mower, and the grass to the banks you could use a 'flymo' type mower...It does sound like a lot of work, but I'm sure it will look a a lot better than pebbles and decking....Hope this is of help...good luck

[divadobs]

Hi Anitajayne,
Thanks so much for your response - i'm really grateful. My garden is approx 15ft x 17ft. It is too small to put terracing in I think. and I was hopeful for a flat area for my daughter to play on.
What would you recommend to put down to make it all level before the grass goes down? Soil, rubble? Could I even use the pebbles I am removing to help fill it?

Thanks again.

[anitajayne18]

Hi divadobs,
I agree, a garden of your size, terracing would not be the answer. You could re-use the pebbles to help make up the levels, but I would be reluctant to use any form of rubble as this may result in drainage problems. If you have no other alternative, I would suggest that you mix it with as much soil as possible. I would suggest that you allow for at least 6" (15cm) of top soil for the grass to grow in. Make sure you really compact all the made up levels, otherwise you will find after the first winter, you may end up with an uneven surface. If you are going to use turf, they should be lifting it shortly, but of course this is a lot more expensive than seed. If you don't want an instant lawn, then sow grass seed once the soil gets a little bit warmer (in the South this will be around the middle of March)...Which ever you use, make sure the ground is firm...Good luck. I would be interested to know how you get on...If I can be of any further help, please contact me

[divadobs]

Hi Anitajayne,

I hope you don't mind me contacting you again.

I'm in the process of gauging prices to making the garden level before it is turfed. Top soil seems quite reasonably priced - would this be ok to use along with the pebbles?
I'm nervous of compacting it all down and it being level when I come to put down the lawn but in a year's time I don't want it to be all bumpy!

Thanks again for your help.