Choose your level;
one which will not entail too much removal or addition of soil, and
knock in a master marker peg. Using a level board, (a straight
plank approximately 2m long and 2cm thick,) knock in other pegs level
with the master peg, by placing the level board on the master peg and
the new peg and aligning with a spirit-level on top of the level
board. Work across the site carefully tapping in level pegs, and
avoiding tripping over them! Soil can then be removed or added
until appropriate level achieved.
For very uneven
ground, use of 'boning rods', ('T'-shaped markers approx 1m tall
with a cross-piece of 45cm.) These are usually used in threes, in
conjunction with marker pegs. Site the first master peg on the
highest part of the plot. Site the next peg 0.5m away, checking
the level with level board and spirit-level. Place one boning rod
upright on the first marker peg, and the second boning rod on the second
marker peg. 'Sight' across the 'T' pieces of these two to a
further boning rod in the distance, and knock in a marker peg to the
correct level. This method is useful in that it can work over
undulating ground, plants and rubble to give a useful first levelling.
Subsequent levelling should proceed using a level board and
spirit-level.
Another way to
quickly (!) find out the difference of level in two points, entails 2
people - the kids will love it - a length of hose-pipe, a funnel and
some water.
Method...
The person with the end of the hose that has the funnel in it, stands at
the highest point of the area to be assessed. The height of
the funnel from the ground is noted, and should remain constant. (It may
be a good idea to fasten the hose/funnel on to a stake driven into the
ground.) The other end of the hose is taken to various positions where
you require to know the difference in levels. Water is poured into the
hose - slowly via the funnel. The 'free' end of the hose is raised until
water no longer seeps out. Measure how high off the ground the hose
needs to be to reach this state of equilibrium, and deduct the height of
the funnel (top) from the ground. This is the difference in levels.
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Example.. If
the top of the funnel is 60cm off the ground, and the hose full of water
has to be raised 125cm from the lower ground level, then 125cm minus
60cm gives you the answer of 65cm. This is the difference between the
ground level at point 'a' - where the funnel is and point 'b' where the
other end is. To get point 'b' to the same level as point 'a', it will
require to be 'built up' by 65cm. For absolute accuracy, you must ensure
that the funnel end is full to the rim. |
This
system is particularly good for sorting out levels over fair distances -
providing the hose is long enough.
Never, Never, assume
that a plot is level, "because it looks it". Take the steps
above to ensure that you have a good level garden, patio or lawn.
Where soil levels
require altering it is preferable to remove the topsoil and save it for
later use, rather than to bury it and end up with poorer soil on
top. If hollows are to be filled in with soil, consolidate (tread
down) regularly to prevent subsequent sinking.
