What to do with crushed stone next to foundation?

Question

So we bought a foreclosed home and yanked out some huge unkempt shrubs that were right against the front of the house causing damage to the siding.  In doing so we discovered that underneath the soil there is both a plastic weed shield as well as a substantial layer of crushed stone.  There are also sprinkler pipes running underneath that we have to be careful of.  Now that the bushes are gone we would like to put in flower beds to cover up the scorched earth left behind.

Our initial thought was to sift out and remove the crushed stone and keep it asside for another project.  Then add some soil to build up the flower beds.

A couple of questions for the Yahoo community.

1) Does the crushed stone serve a purpose other then stopping weeds?  Is it some form of drainage for the perimeter of the house?  Should it not be removed?

2) How deep should the top soil be to support small shrubs / flowers?  If we were to build up the top soil could we leave the crushed stone alone?  Or would this not allow for propper root development?

3) Any advice / tips to make this project flow smoothly and successfully?

Thanks in advance!!

Bill Z · Accepted Answer

i bet you don't have rain gutters.  the stones may have been put down to keep the rain from splashing dirt and making deep ruts in the dirt next to the house.

wpanther30 · Answer

Yes the stone is there for drainage and also to protect the pipes from freezing. Pipes by law have to be a certain depth. Water pipes I know is 18" Electrical 16" I think not sure varies state to state. 
If you set on a  flower bed I bring stone 1/2" below surface. Then I put in some landscape timbers or a kind of boarder and add potting soil plant and use pine straw wood chips whatever works for you. But do not take that stone out. it is important. Take care and happy digging

meanolmaw · Answer

the stones may be a barrier to insects..... you'll have a 'world's worst' job trying to be rid of them.... are they just in a band around the foundation maybe a foot or so wide?... or are they all over the 'flowerbed area'?..... if all over, they were used as mulch.... again, hard job ahead if you plan to remove them....if only in a band, leave them, put down some Preen to stop weed seeds from rooting there.... 

be careful adding topsoil to a foundation bed!... you must keep the slope away from the house that is there now.... so plan on incorporating compost or other soil additive that will 'juice up' your soil and mixing it in, rather than building UP a bed there....it won't be that easy with those pipes in the way, but it's still a better way than having water in your foundation/basement.....

DamonD · Answer

I would get rid of the rocks. This could be causing water to drain down near your foundation. The water should be draining away from the foundation. Be cautious planting near the home. Low water plants are good. I would import at least 6-8 inches of good planters soil depending on the size of the plants. Hope that helps. www.patioandhomeimprovementdesign.com

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What to do with crushed stone next to foundation?

4 Answers