Gravel vs. Soil to fill a hole where a Jacuzzi used to be in a backyard?

Question

I pulled out a jacuzzi and my step father has advised me to buy gravel to fill the hole since it compacts good. I have also heard that soil is the way to go. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Personally, I would recommend sand, which you would compact as you fill, then top off with 4" of soil.  Fill it higher than the surrounding ground, since settling will occur.  Using gravel often turns out to be a problem down the road.  Good luck.

Answer 2

Gravel will work just as well as dirt. Probably should find out the price of each before deciding. One suggestion I would make is if you ever have a problem from drainage from gutter downspouts. If you do, you could bury solid drain pipe from the downspouts into the hole filled with gravel. This is commonly known as a dry well. It will hold several hundred gallons probably and allow it to soak into the soil gradually as opposed to having standing water on the grass. The gravel should be filled to about 8-10" from the top with a layer of landscaping fabric covering the gravel. Place the ends of drain pipe over fabric and cover with dirt. Plant grass and you're done. The fabric allows water to pass through while keeping dirt from clogging gravel.

Answer 3

What do you intend to put in that area?  Grass?  Flower bed?  Fire pit?  If you want anything to grow there, I'd recommend filling it part way with sand, then top soil to top it off.  Gravel would be fine if you're going to put a fire pit there, or want to set potted plants in that place.  .  

Answer 4

It really depends on where in your yard the jacuzzi was and what you are going to do with the area now. Either way I wouldn't use gravel.  Gravel will just work it's way down into the soil below it and eventually you will have a low spot. If it was close to a deck or something like that you may just want to turn it into a flower bed. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would use a 70/30 mix. 70 soil and 30 sand. This way it will pack in nice and if you decide to plant something their in the future it will grow good. I usually don't find plants growing well in gravel...Also this mix will be cheaper than gravel..... Good luck.