Hey guys,
I've taken all the gravel out of my garden, dug up the clay soil a bit and used a rake and hand cultivator on it as well, so I've made pretty good progress! I've ordered a tonne of top soil which is arriving this week, I'm wanting to put turf down, but not too sure if I should use some manure to try help the clay soil break down a bit more? Also not too sure the best time to lay turf down as I don't want to do it too late. Any ideas that would be great! Thank you!
by SnooCats7121
14 Comments
If your putting top soil thats all it will need
100% add as much manure as you possibly can. Top soil is generally very poor quality and devoid of nutrients. Manure will absolutely help to break down the density of the clay and will improve the soil generally. The better the soil, the better the lawn, save yourself from problems long term.
You don’t have to but it would help to add some organic matter – doesn’t have to be manure could be compost as well.
If it’s not too late maybe check with your top soil supplier on whether they can provide you with a top soil and compost mix. Some suppliers provide a 70% top soil 30% compost mix that might be a better option.
Make sure the top soil you ordered is screened otherwise you’ll be adding more stones back
Clay soil don’t drain well, so if anything, I would want to mix a lot of sand into that soil. Lawn don’t need super rich soil. But you will want to do everything you can to minimize rain puddles on your lawn and the sand will help with that.
I’m a farmer’s son and have always loved gardening. I would always use well rotted manure well dug in. I always put in a crop of posters first then used lawn seed
Sharp sand you can gets bags of horticultural stuff from garden centres or you can order bulk on line which is what you might need. Then put the manure on top and cover with black sheating or cardboard. Then let the worms do the rest. Seed or turf in the spring.
Bag or two of gypsum would help as well.
Do yourself a favor and get a tiller – just went through this process last week and got a tiller to help break the clay (which was solid in this heat) and mix in the organic matter into the soil- you want the organic material throughout the soil, not just on top and it will take a while for it to incorporate naturally (via worms) otherwise
I mixed in soil improved and mushroom compost to my soil before adding turf – it is thriving!
Organic doil conditioner (Wood chip) breaks up the clay . Puts air into soil.
Make sure it’s a good quality well rotted manure otherwise you’ll burn the grass roots. If you can turn it in a spades depth then even better 🙂
Mate, landscaper here, laid many many lawns. There’s no room for anything on that lawn if you want it in any way level. The levels are about right, anything else and it’ll flow over the top of your paving. Cancel your topsoil, add about 15 small bags of sharpsand to help drainage. It’ll be fine. Though use some moss killer every now and then, before you think you need to.
Clay soil add horticultural grit and calcified seaweed which ids drainage and the calcified seaweed helps the clay break up. Add manure for deep and compost also helps break up the clay as it attracts worms. Please note this is for beds. Lawns I am not an expert in as I like to rewild
Don’t worry, the local cats will add it for you.