We've discovered my soil (if you can call it that!) is even worse than we thought. We've only got about 4" of soil under the turf and the rest is horrible clay. We're going to get some good topsoil to mix with turfs (once they've broken down) and add some sand to help with drainage. Can we use sharp sand or do we need to get special horticultural sand ?
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Drainage
Collapse
X
-
Am sure I've read somewhere that adding some worms will help no end but not something I've tried myself.
Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.
Which one are you and is it how you want to be?
-
Originally posted by martini View PostWe've discovered my soil (if you can call it that!) is even worse than we thought. We've only got about 4" of soil under the turf and the rest is horrible clay. We're going to get some good topsoil to mix with turfs (once they've broken down) and add some sand to help with drainage. Can we use sharp sand or do we need to get special horticultural sand ?My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
Comment
-
My new veg patch was originally turfed and was solid clay - I couldn't get a trowel into it to plant bulbs at one point!! - I hired a rotovator, churned up the patch I wanted - 12' x 15' (in the pouring rain) then rotovated in approx 8 bags sharp sand and another 8 of the 'too big to lift' size compost - and I just dug it over and over and over -- you get the picture! Pulling out all the weeds/grass etc as I went
I am now the very proud owner of a veg patch that rakes nicely - dig's easily and gives slightly when you walk on it!!
Sharp sand and compost are definitely the way to go!How can a woman be expected to be happy with a man who insists on treating her as if she were a perfectly normal human being.”
Comment
-
Thanks Sunbeam - it's good to know it can work After breaking our backs to get some of the turf off we've hired a stripper (coming Monday). We're not going to rotovate but the OH is going to double dig the raised bed bits, take out the worst of the clay and then we'll put some topsoil, compost and sand in. I must admit it was really offputting the other day when it was pouring down as the lawn had puddles in it I'm glad to know yours has worked well and I'll keep you posted.
Comment
-
Ideally you could do with double digging it & putting som muck in to it to help break it all up. Clay soil is a pain but it does tend to hold the nutrients better.Last edited by nick the grief; 07-10-2006, 05:55 PM.
Comment
-
We (I mean the OH) is going to double dig the bits where the raised beds will be, take out as much of the really bad clay as possible and then put in some of the turves we've taken off (they're not too bad soil-wise). I'm also getting a load of farmyard (mainly pig) poo coming from work.
Comment
-
[QUOTE=martini;34447]Thanks Sunbeam - it's good to know it can work After breaking our backs to get some of the turf off we've hired a stripper (coming Monday).
What I'd like to know is why Nic hasn't commented on this???LolMy Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)
Diversify & prosper
Comment
-
Martini
How is hiring a stripper on Monday gonna help you remove the tur........oh I see what you mean now - sorry, my mind does that sometimesRat
British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God
http://scotsburngarden.blogspot.com/
http://davethegardener.blogspot.com/
Comment
-
I seem to have some sort of reputation here don't I I was trying to be serious for once but what the hellLast edited by nick the grief; 07-10-2006, 10:05 PM.
Comment
Latest Topics
Collapse
Recent Blog Posts
Collapse
Comment