[beaker141]

I've just got a 2nd half plot, uncultivated for a long time and previous owners had laid lots of carpet, which has now been dug up and removed, but had also laid slate chips on top of the carpet to make paths.

I've now got loads of slate mixed in with soil - has anyone got any great ideas for how to seperate, there is a substantial amount and I'm not liking the thought of picking it out by hand.

[Ema]

If there not too small I can only think raking would get rid of the worst

[Annen]

Or putting the soil through a garden sieve.
Its probably going to be tedious doesn't matter how you do it.

[beaker141]

Thanks. I've just been looking at homemade powered sifters using a jigsaw - great idea!

I think I need a big of mesh over the wheelbarrow and keep chucking loads in.

[fatcat1955]

You could ask the former plot holder to come back and Wipe the slate clean! Sorry i could not resist.

[surbie100]

Could you put it in a big mesh basket and hose off the soil in batches? Not that you probably need more water on your plot...

[Trillium]

I'd be doing as beaker suggested - attach some weldmesh to a wood frame for support that hangs over the sides of a barrow and start shovelling it in. It's hard graft but should get the results you want.

[shed head]

And you'll be left with all you need to make a path 

[gremlin]

How about putting up  a sign saying.

"Free Slate Chips.
Sieve Your Own"

Then you'll get someone else to do the hard work and take away the unwanted chippings for you.

[Trillium]

  I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that offer to be taken up.

[gremlin]

It takes all sorts !

There was a chap at our plots determinedly sieving the soil for stones for several weeks.  He told me later that he took away the soil to the council tip, and kept the stones for the gravel paths between his raised beds.

I'm really not joking

[bricoop]

Gremlin can I have my propagator back please.