AboutMarc Chapelle, ASLA Expertise As a licensed Landscape Architect, I am available to answer general questions about style and design, ideas and suggestions for site amenities, larger site-planning issues, or recreational and park design. I prefer you ask somebody else why your petunias are not as perky as they should be...I'd LOVE to tell you how can use those petunias to increase your home's value!
Experience Member, American Society of Landscape Architects(ALSA); My clients are mostly contractors, developers and local civil engineering/architecture firms, plus the occasional homeowner. I am currently located in the dry Great Basin area (Reno/Sparks), so use of landscape materials OTHER than plants is emphasized. As a licensed Landscape Architect on the East and West Coasts, I have been in practice over 18 years. My website: DesertLA.com
Question We want to place an antique zinc garden statue (previously was a fountain, but the bottom/base has been filled with concrete) in a garden.
Should we use granite dust or something to set the statue or
concrete? I have been told to fill a whole the diameter of the base up to 12 inches deep with granite dust...what are your thoughts? I do not want the statue to fall over.
Thanks, Allyson
Answer Here we call it decomposed granite, or D.G. It is an inexpensive material (about $18/ cubic yard here), and when compacted is VERY dense. Even though Zinc is very corrosion-resistant, I would not just place your statue directly on the ground, because you may have high-acid soils which would attack the zinc - I do not know your particular soil situation.
Other areas use what they call "crusher fines". Same idea. Angular particles that compact to a hard surface. You may also consider a mix called "base", "sub-base", or "road base", which is a material used under road beds or as gravel driveways. It is a blend of aggregates and fine particles that, when compacted, also yield a solid base for your fountain.
12 inches seems kind of deep, unless you have Gumbo for soil - So, maybe 12 inches in your area might be the right amount! The goal is to create a level pad that won't settle, causing the statue to list to one side or the other.
We only use about 4 inches, here, for concrete subgrades. Now if this statue is going on a slope, then 12" might be the right amount for ONE side of the new, level pad.
Material prices vary by area. Maybe you have an abundance of granite, making it the least expensive alternative. Look in the phone book under "landscape materials" to get an idea of prices. These local, helpful suppliers may have some another alternative ideas on how to set your statue.
