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  Geoffrey King May 29, 2012 at 6:39pm

  So many questions,

  a proper patio would be best for what? what is the intended use of the 'patio'?

  if on a tight budget why bother with gravel et al, try a different approach, cover patio with large pots, like half barrels, fill with plants, use patio as base for raised beds, grow anything you like, distract the eye from the 'patio'
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  Pip Howard May 29, 2012 at 7:19pm

  I've seen a technique in France, which I know is done in the USA also where a colourant is mixed with a very thick but fine cement mixture, very strong mixture and skimmed over the top. Very cheap and effective visually - but I am unsure of what this method is called, how long it lasts - and whether it even exists in UK.  
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  Jane Harries May 29, 2012 at 7:31pm

  Hello Geoffrey - thanks for replying.  My friend already has quite a few pots but she works away from home and neglects them.  I'm looking into drip irrigation, and I've kept some pots and added a seat and a wall fountain, and also raised up the herb bed so it will distract.  Maybe all this will do the trick! 

  Re uses of patio- it is really a large corridor to the garden and also to sheds and the garage.  It is mostly shaded so isn't a good place for lingering (though I think a seat will encourage her to sit outside more when she doesn't want to go to the rest of the garden where there is a dining table and chairs in a lighter spot ( I've seen a lovely example of shade seating like this in an NGS garden).

  It would make a difference viewing it from the house, and also I think link the house and garden better, if improved.

  Jane
  
  Geoffrey King North Yorkshire said:

  So many questions,

  a proper patio would be best for what? what is the intended use of the 'patio'?

  if on a tight budget why bother with gravel et al, try a different approach, cover patio with large pots, like half barrels, fill with plants, use patio as base for raised beds, grow anything you like, distract the eye from the 'patio'
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  Jane Harries May 29, 2012 at 7:33pm

  Thanks Pip.  That's a great idea - a bit like playground surfaces.  It would be nice to have a pattern on it maybe too.  I will have a search on the internet for it.

  Jane
  
  Pip Howard said:

  I've seen a technique in France, which I know is done in the USA also where a colourant is mixed with a very thick but fine cement mixture, very strong mixture and skimmed over the top. Very cheap and effective visually - but I am unsure of what this method is called, how long it lasts - and whether it even exists in UK.  
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  Claire Brown May 29, 2012 at 7:43pm

  I think that gravel would move about too much over concrete, - but have you considered some decking boards or even tiles to go over the top?

  At our french holiday house, we wanted something for one season when we moved in, and put on decking tiles laid on coarse sand - 8 years later they are still lasting really well,  - they were less than 2 euros each
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  Jane Harries May 29, 2012 at 7:51pm

  Hello Claire,

  I've not heard of decking tiles.  Decking could be a good idea but I don't think it would suit this area - too shady and a bit of a thoroughfare.  I know what you mean about gravel.  The article had slate chippings - not sure if that's any different.  I think I would have to put in quite a few slabs so the gravel didn't drift about.

  I will look for decking tiles now - thanks.

  Jane

  
  
  Claire Brown said:

  I think that gravel would move about too much over concrete, - but have you considered some decking boards or even tiles to go over the top?

  At our french holiday house, we wanted something for one season when we moved in, and put on decking tiles laid on coarse sand - 8 years later they are still lasting really well,  - they were less than 2 euros each
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  Sean Busby May 29, 2012 at 8:05pm

  One important point to consider is not breaching the Dpc of the house. In fact, in many instances concrete patios like existing one have already been laid too high in relation to the house walls, causing damp problems inside. So before the level is raised even further, have a look.
  
  I would break out the concrete.
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  Jane Harries May 29, 2012 at 8:11pm

  Thanks, that's very useful Sean.

  Jane
  
  Sean Busby said:

  One important point to consider is not breaching the Dpc of the house. In fact, in many instances concrete patios like existing one have already been laid too high in relation to the house walls, causing damp problems inside. So before the level is raised even further, have a look.
  
  I would break out the concrete.
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  Dan Frazer Gardening May 29, 2012 at 9:11pm

  What about putting a few nice raised beds/troughs around the edges and creating a green jungle feel that would almost totally compensate for the ugly concrete base?

   
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  Jane Harries May 30, 2012 at 10:45am

  Thanks Dan and everyone - great ideas.  I'm suggesting raising the herb garden bed which will enclose the area.  Raised beds would mean less watering than pots so will suggest that too.

  Jane
  
  Dan Frazer Gardening said:

  What about putting a few nice raised beds/troughs around the edges and creating a green jungle feel that would almost totally compensate for the ugly concrete base?