Raised Lawn

Right then this is my next plan that I would like to run past you all to see if you spot any issues with it

As my garden is on a good slope I want to do a nice square levelled raised lawn using proper railway sleepers.

My plan is to build a square frame 11ft x 11ft level at the highest end of the garden and 3ft high at the lowest end, then line the inside with plastic sheet maybe pond liner to protect the sleepers. Then I will back fill with top soil and turf the top flush with the sleepers.

Does this sound ok ?

Many thanks for your time

Jamie

 

right then peeps, really need help with this project as i want to get it right first time and it be strong and secure and last many years.

First the materials, are these new oak sleepers ok from this site, i have read that they last up to 40 years?

http://www.grangewoodfencing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=1&Category_Code=SLEEPER_OAK

Next is the plan, so the lenth of the box will be 12ft and it will be 13ft wide the back end will be flush with the ground and the front will be 500mm above the ground as the garden slopes.

So is the best way to build as a box or can i build it in staggered sections if that makes sense? also do i sink any below the ground and concrete in to act as foundations? What size screws do i need for these 150mm or the 200mm

any help on this would be great.

 

This is quite fitting, I have done something VERY similar in my garden, it was a lot of work, but well worth it. My garden is also on a slope, although not as extreme as yours, the drop is about 18 inches.

Something to consider is the amount of top soil needed, I used an online calculator which suggested I needed 2 tonnes, I ended up using about 4 tonnes, it doesn't go as far as you think. Also worth considering budget, I got some top soil locally which was about £60 a tonne but it was terrible quality, when I had to reorder another 2 tonnes I used a different supplier paying £80 a tonne and it was excellent.

I built a circular wall which I then filled with top soil and then, after about a month, I turfed it. I also took the opportunity to extend my patio, and move my Pergola and decking so it was the same height.

 

With the sleepers being as big as they are I would build in staggered sections just to save the hassle of unboxing them later if it doesn't go as planned.

 

Quick question on this, will i be ok just concreting 3 upright sleepers on the front edge which is 3 meters long, or will i also need to put down a footing and put some 6" nails into the sleeper for them to sit on the ground in , or is this overkill???

Hope all makes sense