I live in a tenement block with a neglected (east facing) garden so I’ve decided to take responsibility for it. Unfortunately it looks like we have clay soil and there’s lots of moss on the lawn. I’ve started by edging, scarifying, overseeding and sprinkled topsoil on top. Is this likely to work?
I’m concerned that the lawn seems to be higher than the slabs – is this an issue and is there a budget friendly fix?
I’m happy to embrace the moss on the lawn because I’ve read that it’s a nightmare to remove and 99% of the time comes back anyway.
I should also say that I’m a complete beginner – no experience or knowledge of gardening so any advice is welcomed! Thanks
by ahonkingjobbie
2 Comments
We have clay soil. The lawn behaves very much like you would expect clay to behave, being slippery in winter and rock hard in summer.
If the utility grass is important, scarifying it and seeding works, but digging over from scratch with some rotted manure/compost might help before reseeding. (Back in the day my dad would hire a rotavator and mix manure in).
Some things will grow in it no problem, like vinca/periwinkle, but other stuff hates it. I planted two lavenders and they just puked. Baked solid and then frozen in slop.
If you can blag some slabs, consider dry laying some over a bit of compacted hardcore and geotex if you just want somewhere to sit out.
You could cut some beds and grow some hazel and some other stuff for pollinators.
Well, I suppose starting with how far down can you dig might be good here. To make clay into garden soil, or at least useable soil, can take some time depending on if it’s just some Vs all clay. All clay requires a year plus, and adding compost or straw or garden clippings ( organic material. No salt or sand etc ) in layers mixed it and waiting for it to break down.