seriously hard work, is there a better way?

I hope I've posted this in the right section

I have gravel in my gardens which i'm changing for grass (eventually), the problem I'm having is the previous vendor (private property) failed to put any membrane or underlay beneath the gravel, so how I'm having to strip it back is shovel off the top layer after weeding (fairly easy), then dig approx 2" into the earth and sift the gravel beneath so I dont lose too much precious earth.
It's working very well so far but taking it seems forever :(
My husband has suggested raking it back but this leaves an awful lot of gravel still mixed into the soil. I've been cursing the previous vendors name all through doing this btw lol

also what the plan is when i have finished getting it all back to soil, is mix this layer of earth with multi compost to enrich it as I'm sure it's going to have suffered after all those years under gravel, the soil is growing weeds through the gravel so theres no weedkillers to be worrying about I hope (we havent used any out there for years as the intention was always to change it all back)

I was also eventually when all this is completed planning to sew grass seed

any hints and tips would be very gratefully appreciated :flwsml:

 

Dont think I would bother too much.
Just remove the loose gravel and dig the rest in, a little extra drainage wont hurt.

 

I agree with Pete, it isn`t a problem and you are making life ahrder for yourself than you need to on this one. Full marks for showing willing though.

 

Problem I have is the soil is clay based, so it's very very hard all the way down, so I'm just going about 2" down to loosen it up - the cats have taken advantage already grrrrrr can I use pepper powder? or will that harm the soil?
also would adding the peat free multicompost benefit the grass seed? or am I adding even more work lol
hopefully at the rate I'm going I'll have finished our front garden (approx 20' x 10' triangle) by friday lol, I started yesterday on the gravel area, beds are done(ish) now

 

I had a lot of pea shingle in the earth I put my grass down on and I couldn't be bothered to shift it. We've just pulled some of the grass up in that area and the grass has grown really well and rooted well so i wouldn't bother too much

 

In a clay soil gravel is the best thing for improving the drainage.

I would just dig the soil as best you can, and as deep as you can, after removing the loose layer of gravel.

If it need bringing up to level after this, top soil would be best to add, as it wont dissappear like compost, and cause sinking.
Then just a general fertilizer raked in, followed by the grass seed.

The cats could be a problem, not sure pepper would work, a bit of netting would be better, until the grass gets a hold.

 

I looked at the mesh netting in homebase today (the green plastic stuff) it looks a bit thin, I only didnt get it as I was worried the cats would be able to just scratch through it, if it works I'll defo get some first thing tomorrow :thb:
I managed to wangle some top soil from my father in law tonight yay! he dug out a enormous garden pond last year, so has plenty going spare, defo fertile soil as well

 

Good plan, Pete. I've just dug a new bed in front of our front wall, so will follow your advice re topsoil. BTW, cats are not keen on cuttings of pyracantha, holly or other prickly stuff scattered over your newly dug beds.

 

nearly there, 99% of the gravel is up (just on the small bit on the other side of the pathway now. but I couldnt resist, first layer of compost is down (8 x 50l bags) and tbh I think the small front garden is a lot bigger than I had it down at being :dh: as these 8 bags it's down but very threadbare, so tomorrow we're getting another 8 bags lol and then the top soil is going to sit on top of that (bought 20 bags of that, think we might need some more of that as well lol

I'm dead proud of myself for this, I even invested in some new wellies :D

 

I've finished woooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the last of the gravel got s****ed up today, and then loads more compost was put down and topped up with a good layer of top soil, then grass seed scattered very generously over. It's all been watered in now and I'm feeling very very proud of myself :D

 

Well done any pics??? U must be well chuffed now you're finished

 

I'll defo try and get my husband to take some photos, I cant take photos to save my life and with his camera (DSLR) I dont stand a chance lol
I am soo pleased with it, I cant stop looking at it and checking it over, only thing is I cant weed properly until the grass has started growing now :( well unless the weather dries up a bit at least anyway lol

 

Lol I never used to be good at photos but i'm getting into it now and they're not too bad