What can be done with this garden?

.......

This post has been deleted.

Lumen

Yes, sand and gravel under topsoil under grass is fine, but remove any cement along with the paving.

Before you add topsoil check that the subsoil (or gravel/sand) is free draining by thoroughly hosing it down. There's all sorts of ****e buried under gardens.

.......

....... wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

In my opinion, the perfect garden is the garden thats a work in progress, although I envy your blank canvas.

To answers your questions:

Would it be possible to take out all the paving stones and just spread out a couple of tonnes of topsoil and turn it into a grass garden, or would I also have to strip out the sand and gravel (if it exists at all in some places) as well?

Yes of course it would be possible to take out the paving stones.
Yes of course you could spread topsoil on top.
Yes you could turn it into a grass garden.

It depends how much sand and gravel we are talking about. How big is the garden?

Are you sure you want to just turn it all into grass?

Delphinium

First decide what you want from the garden and draw up a rough plan. Then see how you can use the existing materials to achieve this. Maybe re use some of the slabs to get a new patio or bbq area. Could change them for better slabs when you could afford it. You could hire a con saw and cut some of the least acceptable ones into three or four strips and use this as an edging for veg or flower beds. No need to clear garden completely, just work gradually towards plan.

Organise a work party to help lift slabs and prepare sub soil. Then check and sort drainage. Reward with food and drink.

If you want shrubs and flower beds ask friends who have gardens for divided perennials and cuttings from shrubs.
Don't accept anything that is described as an easy plant - it may end up taking over.

Use web sites or your library for books to help you to plan.

One word of warning about importing plants, even from garden centres, is to make sure they don't harbour vine weevil.

.......

This post has been deleted.

annie.t

spray the joins with weedkiller

evolving_doors

have you got a photo?