Question
I have designed a garden for some friends which incorporates large sandstone paver's (800mm2 x 35mm) - these are on a bed of compacted crusher dust and road base and spaced 100mm apart.
They have requested grass seams between the paver's however i am concerned that the crusher dust will be too alkaline and nutrient poor for the grass to survive, as well as having a depth to shallow for root development.
Will regular applications of fertilizer overcome this? If so which would be suitable? Am i underestimating grass' power to survive.
Thank you - GeoffW

Answer
I have passed your question along to a construction friend and to a contact at a company that does work like this.  But in the meantime, not to keep you waiting, there are some websites I think you should review that may answer your question.  I hasten to add I am not a Professional Landscaper or I would probably be able to answer this quicker and with more confidence, but when I don't know, I go to people who do.

That said, note the statement of Advanced Buildings Technologies & Practices (http://www.advancedbuildings.org/_frames/fr_t_site_grass_paving.htm) which notes:

'Grass paving systems developed in earlier years were made of concrete.  These systems were unsuccessful because the roots of grass burned and the plants failed.'

This sounds similar to what you are trying to do.  Not identical, but similar.

They next point out: 'Modern grass paving systems are of two types.  In one system, open cells of reinforced plastic are designed to house the roots of the grass.  This open cell system houses and protect the plant while allowing the blades of grass to fil- in completely for a 'lawn' that hides the support system.  The roots stay cool and the grass thrives.  Driving on the grass has no effect on the protected roots...'

I also add that I have seen people with a problem similar to this, and they have asked me what to do about it.  My first thought has always been, Oh, You use Salt during winter to melt ice, so the Salt is killing everything.  But it is also likely that when Salt is not doing the killing, Cement and crushed stone are picking up the slack.

Fertilizer, to answer your question, will not fix this unfortunately.  And when Grass is not growing, Weeds will take over.  So you want to make sure this system works smoothly.

I'll let you know when I get a more qualified answer from someone else.  I wish I could be more optimistic, but this does not look like anything with an easy answer.  I just hope there's ANY answer.  Because that Grass/Pavers look is worth it.