Advice needed on levelling a large area

Hi - complete gardening novice here, really don't know where to start so any help will be a appreciated.

I have an uneven rectangular plot at the rear of my garden, approx 25ft x 10ft. The ground is hard, clay like soil, and is on a very slight slope. I have managed to get up all the visible weeds and put down lots of weed killer. There is no grass on the area.

I would like to get the entire plot level so i can cover the area with weed membrane so the blighters don't come back. Then cover it with pebbles, or possibly do something with slabs or stones if my finances can stretch to it.

Any ideas please on the best way to go about this??

Thanks

 

Hi tebor,
Well if it was me I would dig over all the topsoil, which won't be easy if it is clay and then start raking it until it is level, alternatively you could add some bought topsoil to level it. Weed membrane will only keep weeds out for a short time unfortunately, seeds get blown by the wind/dropped by birds and they will germinate in the gravel!!:wallbang: the only really permanent answer is paving slabs.
Sorry I can't be of more help, perhaps someone else will have better ideas!!

Val

 

No, that's great thankyou Val. I have dug up a small part of it and broke it up, but it's very clumpy. I think adding something to the surface to get it level is going to be inevitable, but whether thats topsoil, sand, gravel etc, I honestly don't know what's best.

 

It seems rather a waste of productive land to just smother it completely.
I levelled an area about the same size as yours that had a significant slope and a terrace. It took a few days work with a spade and rake but I now have a level lawn and a small terrace at the top. It's not too hard if you pace yourself and don't try to do it in one go.
You could cover it with membrane and bark chips though the chips will need renewed every few years. If you want to get some return from the land you could plant a few fruit bushes or trees through the membrane, this would also help make it look a bit less of a desert.