Soil....what to do with it...?
hmltnangel2002
Posts: 3
Evening folks, my first visit to the forum happens to be a question.
I have been working on the garden at my new build property now for a few weeks. Got my ideas for what I want, and busied myself building the hard areas .... a wall and deck area.
Now its come time to decide what to do with the soil to level it out for a split level lawn. Trouble is the soil isnt the greatest and think I would rather ask some opinions on what would be best to do with this. As with most new builds its full of rocks for a start within the top few inches, with a subsoil of clay. The level has been split nicely, and two additional drains were added (perforated pipe with a gravel bed/surround). One drain on top, one drain on lower level. The area around the deck has the drain running right under it and the area there has zero flooding so I am happy with this. The two areas I wish to make into lawns however have this soil that is causing issues. The top layer is rocky and whilst not clay, it does bind together very toight restricting the ability of the water to get through to the drainage pipes. This is causing a small amount of water to stay on surface.
My questions are:
1. The soil itself - is it worth tilling it and adding some organic matter into it, before adding topsoil, sand and turf? If not - then ideas would be helpful 
2. Drainage - the tilling would sort the soil and allow the water to drain into it, but should I add a few additional gravel channels to it to help feed the drain?
Pics of the place are below. Be gentle - the decks not finished yet lol.
Last edited: 23 August 2017 23:22:38
Posts
It's a common issue with new builds - the ground gets compacted and even if the soil is decent to start with, it makes it hard to anything with easily.
You've already put a lot of work in - looks good. If you want a good lawn, the two things it needs more than anything are decent drainage and light. Heavy soil needs plenty of organic matter dug into it, so you've answered your question already! If you can get a load of well rotted manure, and grit as well if possible, and get that mixed in, that will make a huge difference. Compost will help lighten it all too. Then you can add a layer of topsoil ready for turf, or seeding.
If you can do it over the next few weeks to give it all time to settle, and then get it levelled and ready for the last step, it's a good time of year to do that. Alternatively, you can leave till spring. It depends how soon you want to have grass you can use, and how much time, and budget, you have!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks, I kinda knew what it needed. So what should I be buying, and from where? I'd guess the absence of worms in there, only found one lonely soul, means that using a good tiller would help for digging it in? Also the rocks etc (again might know the answer) need to be removed or is it better to keep them in below the surface.
Grabbed the bull by the horns tonight and hired a tiller, bought a vanload of manure and went to town
I added a good bit of gravel to the bits that were getting waterlogged as well, and am going to work in more tomorrow. Then I can start on the bottom level