Paving or decking in my garden?

Question

i need to cover up a small muddy lawn. Do I cover it with paving slabs similar to those laid elsewhere in the garden, or decking? I only need to cover a 3m2 area. What do you think would look best?

Answer 1

It really depends on what you prefer, but paving is more durable. Draw a scale plan and try out different ideas on it, whatever you like best, go for, just remember your preparation is the most important part, so get some books from the library to help you with this. the librarian will be able to help you find them.

Answer 2

Since you already have some paving slabs why not put in a deck? It would break up the monotony and decks are so much prettier than slabs. Rocks,or fieldstone put in for stepping stones is a great way to connect areas in a muddy area. Just find some big kind of flat fieldstones and dig a hole for each one. We did that in our yard and it looks nice. As soon as the weather changes we will be doing more in the yard. We've only been living here since the Fall. Have fun..

Answer 3

For that size use decking with a nice little fence on it. Use treated 2x4s laid on squat concrete blocks. 1/2" cracks between the 2x4s will save it from puddling. Remember to try a 6-8" deep trench through the center of the wet area and lay a soaker drain, and cover with gravel over the whole area between the blocks. When you get the woodwork done waterproof it and then you have a nice place for a family Bar-B-Q or afternoon tea with Mom.

Answer 4

If the lawn is muddy you have a low spot. That's the first thing you need to fix. After that it is your choice, Slabs cost more and are more work to install, but after that there is very little if any upkeep. Deck is usually cheaper and quicker to install, but you have more upkeep.

Answer 5

I would dig up the area and till it with some good topsoil and either plant perennials or groundcover, my self. Why someting dull and boring like all pavement or wood?

Of course you could incorporate a decent sized brick or stone patio into this as well. Try and think about some ideas. How about digging a small pond as well?
Try to grow grass where you can and work around those areas with above.

Answer 6

I have to say Decking simply because to sit outside on decking is more homely than stone and if you already have areas of stone, might as well flag the lot, if putting more in. Why not put a drainage system in and restore your lawn?

Answer 7

if its a muddy spot you best bet is to put paving slabs,because the moisture would cause the decking to rot very quickly!

Answer 8

I would use paving you can use different coloured slabs to make it pretty. I tend to find decking does eventually go slimy and slippery in the rain and eventually you will have to replace it when it rots.

Answer 9

I would use pavers. If build correctly, with a proper subbase of crushed stone and stonedust, water shouldn't be a problem. Also, using stone which is similar to stone already found in the garden will help tie your yard together.

Here's an article I wrote for my website: http://www.gardenlistings.com

Answer 10

Make a feature of it and do it with that purple shale stuff with a cordeline or formium in the middle and those little "Mind your own business" plants round the outside.