Removing a patio/paving/concrete to replace it with plantings

3 years ago

Dear experts, I’d like to dig up a patio that has a concrete base (I think), with brick and slate on top. I’ve learned the ecological evils of laying hard surfaces where life should be flourishing. If we all did this, we might mitigate the ecological disaster that’s looming in the U.K. (ignoring the globe, of course!).

Any tips on how to do this successfully? Thank you!

Featured Answer

Sonia

3 years ago

I would imagine a jack hammer drill, like road workers use, would get the concrete up and you can hire them. Our original small patio was 3 different levels of concrete and my OH attacked it with a pick axe and sledgehammer and he broke it all up. It was quite thin so broke up easily. Just depends on thickness. If budget allows get a builder to do it for you as it’s backbreaking work! This is the sort of drill I mean. I had to laugh as even Lidl sell them!

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Comments (16)

chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Sonia. I’d definitely get someone else to do it! What happened to all the rubble generated?
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PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
People who need hardcore might take it away for you -advertise it on gumtree /freecycle etc
chemistrykaren thanked OnePlan
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi chemistrykaren, it was taken by tipper lorry to a recycling plant nearby (not the local tip) or you could hire a skip depending how much you have. Worth advertising it for free in case anyone wants it but I wouldn’t hold your breath!
chemistrykaren thanked Sonia
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Great to hear you had it recycled, Sonia. And my next question is, what did you put in the patio’s place? 😊
PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
There is a lot of interested in low nutrient environments very much in contrast to long history of having and adding loads of organic matter to soils in the UK. A chap called Peter Korn, who lives in Malmo, Sweden is an expert on the subject. Beth Chattos gravel garden is long standing example in the UK, having been made from a car park. I would do some research on that one in particular, I believe there is specific book on it.

Low nutrient environments are better for many plants which grow weak but tall, get diseased, live fast and die young in a typical high organic matter garden soil. These environments are certainly important in biodiversity but they can also produce very low maintenance plantings with stability and longevity (again things which contrast with typical UK gardening!).

So what I'm saying is that it would probably unnecessary and even undesirable to take all your smashed up concrete away!
chemistrykaren thanked Garden Design Guru
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Well, Garden Desigun Guru, that’s an interesting new line of enquiry I’ll have to follow up! I understand not all plants are adapted to high nutrient environments. I think you’d have to choose your plants carefully in a concrete-dominated soil. I wonder if there are plants that can mediate bioremediation?
PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
I think all plants perform bioremediation to some extent. Here's what John Little has to say about construction and brownfield sites. https://www.grassroofcompany.co.uk/brownfield-landscapes He's been enthusiastic about this for many years and I recently attended a zoom lecture with him held by gardenmsterclass.org

I would go as far to say that most plants will grow better with less nutrients and more patience than they typically get! Where you decide to work on that scale is an interesting question!
chemistrykaren thanked Garden Design Guru
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Garden Design Guru, what a fantastic article by John Little - thank you. We need to get more people to understand the value of biodiversity and the role such sites play in that.

Btw, I was taught as a plant scientist rather than a horticulturist, botanist or gardener, so my knowledge is theoretical and not practical at all. I feel hopeless, as I know what I want to achieve, but have no idea where or how to start, in physical activity terms!
PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
Well chemsitrykaren, I started messing about with plant as a child and I would say that you definitely need to get your information from a number of different sources. A lot plants will adapt to a different environment from where we are used to seeing them, some because they can and others more because it's closer to their own native environment.

So things, (like how low a temperature a plant can take), will be seriously affected by other factors (good drainage/dryness in Winter will often mean something you thought was not hardy will take temperatures below freezing).

There is a certain amount of science when you analyse some of these things. Real 'Alpines' as in plants which you actually find growing in the Alps, are subjected to very low temperatures. Of ten the same plants die in UK garden because they are not adapted to sitting it near freezing water and getting cold rain on them for months. When it's -30C in the Alps there is no water, it's all freeze dried.

I did a degree in Chemistry because I was hoping to do something environmental for a job but I wish I had gone and done Horticulture. Having said that I don't think there are many areas of horticulture which I don't know something about. Sometimes the way teaching is done can be restrictive and I have picked bits and pieces for expanding my Garden Design knowledge which has built up from a great many sources.
chemistrykaren thanked Garden Design Guru
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi chemistrykaren, sorry I never answered your question back in October! In the end we laid outdoor grade porcelain, not the most eco option, but as I have arthritis and am a bit doddery 😊 I wanted something completely non slip, which it is. I must admit though I do prefer sandstone as it is porous and aesthetically very attractive.
chemistrykaren thanked Sonia
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, Sonia - it's hard to keep track of everything in our lives - so keeping track of Houzz comments takes epic effort sometimes! Ah well, the porcelain does look pretty - and you must stay safe. Happy New Year!
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Garden Design Guru - ah, you did Chemistry - that was my favourite subject at A-level but I was discouraged by my director of studies from doing it as my degree :). With respect to plants, plants are extraordinarily adaptable - or, more strictly speaking, able to acclimate.

When the pandemic calms down a bit, I'll try to find a plantsman who can help me achieve what I'd like. They seem to be like hen's teeth round here.
PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
Where are you exactly?
chemistrykaren
Original Author
3 years ago
Exactly? :) I'm in Cambridge. You're in Bognor, right? Lovely! Sadly, a bit far away from here to pop round and look!
PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
That's exact enough! No indeed that is some way from here...
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Removing a patio/paving/concrete to replace it with plantings

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Removing a patio/paving/concrete to replace it with plantings

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