Beginner needs advice on making a garden/lawn for my 2 year old to play in !!!

 
Hi there,


Thanks for taking a few mins to look at this!

I have bought my first house which came with a hidious Garage taking up
the whole of our garden. In the last few months of 2010 we got rid of
this and had some proffesional work down taking away nearly 25 tonnes of
rubble and building a retaining wall leaving a 6.3m x 5.5m space. The
area left is a slight downward slope and is largly thick, sticky clay
and some small rubble. I have attached what the "garden" looked like
when we bought the house and a picture this afternoon!


I am brand new to gardening and have done a little research so far but
need some advice and reassurance of our plans.


We are currently designing how we want the garden to look like but we
will lawn the majoirty of the area so my 2 year old daughter gets
maximum play space. I have a few questions concerning laying a lawn and
some about trees - if anyone can help I really would apreciate any
advice.


In relation to laying the lawn my research suggests i need to get top
soil and start thinking of sewing grass in the Spring. Using an online
topsoil calculator it seems i need approx 5 tonnes of topsoil meaning a
depth of 6 inches.


1. Is there any particular type of top soil recommended to use on top of
clay? I have a limited budget so does it really matter what top soil I
use?


2. A few areas of the current clay base collects pools of water when it
rains heavily. How should I deal with these before laying soil?


3. Any idea of how much 5 tonnes of top soil costs or does it depend on
quality?


4. When should I really think of starting to lay the top soil and start
sewing grass seeds?


5. Is there anything I could use to break up the sticky, horrible clay?

6. Whats the minimum amount of topsoil I should consider to cover the
clay. Some areas may be 6 inches but I think some might be as low as 4?


7. Finally, at the back of the garden we would like to plant a row of
confier/firn style trees in front of the fence. Any ideas what sort of
firns grow well in clay?


I know thats plenty of questions but any help would be greatly
appreciated.


Thanks

Rich


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Richard William

 

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 Richard.William.7b49636@gardenbanter.co.uk says...


   Don't. The garden is far too small for large trees and particularly,
conifers of that type. In a few years they would half fill that play
space, and the dead foliage conifers drop is quite sharp and very
longlasting.

 To hide the fences,climbers would be much better. Since it's a
playspace, preferably non-thorny ones like ivy , clematis, honeysuckle.

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   Janet.

 

"Richard William"  wrote

I have bought my first house which came with a hidious Garage taking up
the whole of our garden. In the last few months of 2010 we got rid of
this and had some proffesional work down taking away nearly 25 tonnes of
rubble and building a retaining wall leaving a 6.3m x 5.5m space. The
area left is a slight downward slope and is largly thick, sticky clay
and some small rubble. I have attached what the "garden" looked like
when we bought the house and a picture this afternoon!

I am brand new to gardening and have done a little research so far but
need some advice and reassurance of our plans.

We are currently designing how we want the garden to look like but we
will lawn the majoirty of the area so my 2 year old daughter gets
maximum play space. I have a few questions concerning laying a lawn and
some about trees - if anyone can help I really would apreciate any
advice.

In relation to laying the lawn my research suggests i need to get top
soil and start thinking of sewing grass in the Spring. Using an online
topsoil calculator it seems i need approx 5 tonnes of topsoil meaning a
depth of 6 inches.

1. Is there any particular type of top soil recommended to use on top of
clay? I have a limited budget so does it really matter what top soil I
use?

I doubt you need any topsoil, if it's clay you have then the addition of
sand in the top few inches will improve drainage so you get a good lawn.

2. A few areas of the current clay base collects pools of water when it
rains heavily. How should I deal with these before laying soil?

It's obviously compacted so dig it, as above.

3. Any idea of how much 5 tonnes of top soil costs or does it depend on
quality?

4. When should I really think of starting to lay the top soil and start
sewing grass seeds?

You don't give us a clue about where you are but anytime in the spring when
it's beginning to warm up a bit will be OK.

5. Is there anything I could use to break up the sticky, horrible clay?

Sand and a good rotovator (you can hire them)

6. Whats the minimum amount of topsoil I should consider to cover the
clay. Some areas may be 6 inches but I think some might be as low as 4?

7. Finally, at the back of the garden we would like to plant a row of
confier/firn style trees in front of the fence. Any ideas what sort of
firns grow well in clay?

Don't under any circumstances plant any conifers in such a small garden with
children about. A trellis with climbing plants would save considerably on
space and no nasty hard dried leaves to stick in little feet and hands.

I know thats plenty of questions but any help would be greatly
appreciated.

Just my thoughts.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

 
Bob Hobden;911087 Wrote:

I do agree that your area doesnt loo like heavy clay. A few puddles at
this time of the year is to be expected

You should try to find a sandy loam topsoil to lay turf on or if you
plan to seed then use a topsoil/compost mix.

Buy off a good local supplier and the topsoil should cost you around
£40per ton. Make sure the topsoil is not reclaimed as it is likely it
will be mixed with subsoil.

If you want to seed, you will have to wait untill the end of March but i
would recommend turf as it won't cost allot for 35sq Meters(about
£100-£120.00 for a good) try 'Fresh Turf Suppliers - Online. Next day
lawn turf suppliers' (http://www.freshturf.co.uk )

We are cutting turf every day and you can lay as soon as you like.

I would suggest that 5 tons of sandy loam topsoil will only give you 4.5
inches of depth.

Topsoil/compost mix will be less dense.


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freshturf