[MalcW]

Hi All. We have a patch of very patchy grass, with buttercups and wild garlic mixed in. I would like to edge the area with sleepers or similar, and put some form of decorative shingle down, using weed matting and then the shingle. Would I need to kill off the grass, weeds etc. first? I know someone licensed to use the nasty stuff if need be. The potential problem is that right in the middle is an apple tree that we want to keep, so I don't want to harm it with chemicals and I want to make sure the roots still get water, so thick tarpaulin is out I'm guessing.

Any advice?

[snowdrops]

If you laid weed membrane down then followed with the stones that should see off the grass etc & allow water to permeate through. I'd buy the woven membrane, you could also cover first with newspaper or card but not really necessary

[Goosegirl]

Thinking about it, I'd get rid of the lawn by using a spade downwards to mark out squares in it, then use it horizontally on each square so you are removing the top level of turf. This will give you room for your membrane and the shingle on top so it is level with your tree.