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Top soil v compost

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  • @Fairygirl
    That's very straightforward advice - thank you.
    I have a pile of old compost which is from the hanging baskets but there are a few bits of grass. If I put that 18" down will that be OK? I didn't know if the grass would somehow grow out the top?
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I wouldn't use that unless you can take out all the grass first. It seems to come up sooner or later however deep you bury it - as I know to my cost! 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You turn turf upside down  - so grass side down. That would always be fine if it's 18" down. 
    If you're concerned about it regrowing  you could give it a haircut right  back to the surface. That would also check it - belt and braces approach  ;)
    It's worth checking that it is actually grass though, and not weed growth, or couch grass, which you'd need to be more careful with, but you can put a layer of cardboard on top [which will eventually rot down] or a layer of landscape fabric if you have it, to prevent anything coming through. 
    I've used upturned turf in much shallower beds than that without any problem. If grass appears, it's more likely to be something seeding in, rather than coming from below, unless the soil  is unbelievably light.  


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • I used the word 'grass' very loosely. I think I will put it on the compost heap and let it rot for a while first
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