topsoil & turf - what do i require?
Discussion
my garden isn't upto much, it had a knotweed infestation over 1/3 of the area when i moved in and tree stumps/weeds over the rest. having largely finished the interior, i;m now readying the outside in order to sell/rent out.
i spent last weekend on a mammoth clearing exercise so that i know have 100ftx20ft of freshly rotorvated and sterilised earth.
the plan is to roll out thick polythene [likely DPM] over the entire area and interweave this with the membrane already put down by my neighbour, with taped seams.
i intend to cover the knotweed area with stones and put a physical barrier into the earth to contain this area. the dpm over the rest of the garden is merely a precaution for creeping routes. whilst the knotweed will try and grow out the edges of the barrier, at least it will be a contained problem we can attack.
now, i need to buy topsoil and turf for the rest of the garden and need to work out how much its going to cost. i was thinking 6inch of soil would be sufficient for the turf to grow on top of - does this sound right? if not, how much do i need? does it have to be all screened topsoil or can i use a layer of [cheaper] unscreened soil as a base?
ps - getting free soil isn't an option due to access to the back garden. I need to have it brought around the back and HIAB'd over a high wall.
if, by any chance, there are topsoil providers on here in east yorks, i can measure it accurately this w/end for a quote.
cheers all,
shirt.
i spent last weekend on a mammoth clearing exercise so that i know have 100ftx20ft of freshly rotorvated and sterilised earth.
the plan is to roll out thick polythene [likely DPM] over the entire area and interweave this with the membrane already put down by my neighbour, with taped seams.
i intend to cover the knotweed area with stones and put a physical barrier into the earth to contain this area. the dpm over the rest of the garden is merely a precaution for creeping routes. whilst the knotweed will try and grow out the edges of the barrier, at least it will be a contained problem we can attack.
now, i need to buy topsoil and turf for the rest of the garden and need to work out how much its going to cost. i was thinking 6inch of soil would be sufficient for the turf to grow on top of - does this sound right? if not, how much do i need? does it have to be all screened topsoil or can i use a layer of [cheaper] unscreened soil as a base?
ps - getting free soil isn't an option due to access to the back garden. I need to have it brought around the back and HIAB'd over a high wall.
if, by any chance, there are topsoil providers on here in east yorks, i can measure it accurately this w/end for a quote.
cheers all,
shirt.
Consider seed not turf.
Turf you have to treat like a baby through the summer as you need to water it so much. Hours per day, every day for weeks or it will die.
Seed is cheaper, takes less time, and is better in the long run. A good seed mix will allow the types of grass which are naturally suited for the weather, shade, sun, nutrients and wetness for the soil you have to naturally become strong.
Turf you have to treat like a baby through the summer as you need to water it so much. Hours per day, every day for weeks or it will die.
Seed is cheaper, takes less time, and is better in the long run. A good seed mix will allow the types of grass which are naturally suited for the weather, shade, sun, nutrients and wetness for the soil you have to naturally become strong.
shirt said:
what soil depth would seeding require?
How good is the soil underneath?If you have budgeted for 6 inches that is plenty. You could get away with half that if you have good soil underneath.
I have just reseeded a patch with 2 inches of topsoil and it has taken very well - lawn in 5 weeks or so.
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