ideas?

Cheers Kristen, I'm not thinking of a fountain but it is good to see a similar circle thing with a lawn surround. Looks nice.

 

Aarrgh. Just realised my earlier post missed out the main question I wanted to ask which was the real post of posting!

Anyway, I'm wondering what would be the optimum ratio of sandy/stoney stuff to leave behind to dig into clayey base. I was guessing at perhaps a 1/4 rubbishy stuff to 3/4 clay mixture on the top 6-9" might be reasonable?

 

Sounds all right. I'd take out anything big enough to easily pick up. Gravel sized and smaller I would leave behind but, yeah, you don't want that to be more than 1/4, or less, of the finished "mix"

 

For what it's worth I think it would look lovely with turf around it.

You could put a bird bath in the middle with some planters full of whatever you want to grow, or else put a circular bench/table and chairs on it ...



... or a tree seat/bench or circular planter (sort of a raised border effect) in the middle.

 

why don't you dig that patio circle thing out and then you can do everything you want, no limitations anymore

 

Thanks for replies. I'll go with that then Kristen, but if it goes all Anna May Wong then I'll blame you :WINK1:

Merle they are nice suggestions but I have a seating area in another part of the garden so I'm keeping this part simple.

Loveweeds - I had thought of that, but .... too much work!

Cheers
Fens

 

Went for the simple remedy and turfed. Had to get it done prior to hosepipe ban as it will need settling in. I'm pleased with the result, anything but nasty messy chippings. Was hard work as there was plenty of rubble that needed removing as well. Here's a before and after. Still a bit messy but just finished.

 

Looks very nice. The green and grey make a nice contrast. What you need now is some nice BIG pots for bold planting