Preparing clay for turf

Posted by Helen J on February 24, 2010, 5:38 am

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Hello

I'm new to the forum and had a quick look around and couldn't find any
other
posts which answer this question.

I have an area of ground (11m x 4m) which I would like to have turfed in
April.
The soil in my garden is black and clay like to a depth of 30-40
cm with yellow
clay beneath and there is a drainage problem in that all
the water from the
field at the back of my house runs onto my carden so
it does get waterclogged.

I have put in some drains which removes a lot of the water however a
substantial
ammount of it still rests on top of any compacted soil
areas. I want to make
sure that when I lay the turf the soil underneath
is as well prepared as
possible and try and get it draining a bit
better.

I was thinking of getting 30 bags of sharp sand (about the size of a 20l
bag of
compost) and 30 x 60/70l bags of cheap compost and mixing them in
to my soil
before I lay the turf. Its also been suggested that laying
topsoil may be
better but this would be more expensive and it seems a
waste given my 'top'soil
is very rich in nutrients.

Does anyone know what the best thing to do is?

Thanks

Helen

--
Helen J

Posted by on February 24, 2010, 6:59 pm

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wrote:

> Hello

> I'm new to the forum and had a quick look around and couldn't find any

> other posts which answer this question.

> I have an area of ground (11m x 4m) which I would like to have turfed in

> April. =A0The soil in my garden is black and clay like to a depth of 30-4=

> cm with yellow clay beneath and there is a drainage problem in that all

> the water from the field at the back of my house runs onto my carden so

> it does get waterclogged.

> I have put in some drains which removes a lot of the water however a

> substantial ammount of it still rests on top of any compacted soil

> areas. =A0I want to make sure that when I lay the turf the soil underneat=

> is as well prepared as possible and try and get it draining a bit

> better.

> I was thinking of getting 30 bags of sharp sand (about the size of a 20l

> bag of compost) and 30 x 60/70l bags of cheap compost and mixing them in

> to my soil before I lay the turf. =A0Its also been suggested that laying

> topsoil may be better but this would be more expensive and it seems a

> waste given my 'top'soil is very rich in nutrients.

> Does anyone know what the best thing to do is?

> Thanks

> Helen

> --

> Helen J

Adding sand and organic matter as you suggest is what I would do. The
sand should be coarse rather than fine. The choice of exactly what
organic matter depends on what is available locally. For example,
here in my municipality in the USA, the township collects leaves in
the Fall, turns them into compost, and it;s available free.

I'd make sure to till it in well and also test and adjust the PH as
necessary. It's also not clear how much water is still running into
this area. If it's too much, you may still have problems. For
example, it's a pain to cut grass when it's wet and muddy. You may
want to consider if there is a way to intercept more of the water and
direct it away.

Posted by Helen J on February 27, 2010, 10:19 am

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trader4@optonline.net;878329 Wrote:
> On Feb 24, 5:38*am, Helen J
Helen.J.5fae...@gardenbanter.co.uk

> wrote:[color=blue][i]

> Adding sand and organic matter as you suggest is what I would do. The

> sand should be coarse rather than fine. The choice of exactly what

> organic matter depends on what is available locally. For example,

> here in my municipality in the USA, the township collects leaves in

> the Fall, turns them into compost, and it;s available free.

> I'd make sure to till it in well and also test and adjust the PH as

> necessary. It's also not clear how much water is still running into

> this area. If it's too much, you may still have problems. For

> example, it's a pain to cut grass when it's wet and muddy. You may

> want to consider if there is a way to intercept more of the water and

> direct it away.

I suspected as much, thanks for the advice. I'm going to construct some
sort of
ridge to stop the water running into my garden so much.

Our council does collect organic waste but it sells it on rather than
offering
it to residents at a free/discounted price.

--
Helen J

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