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Sowing grass seed on clay soil, what next ?

dennewCuJfFFUqdennewCuJfFFUq Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Today I have turned over the compacted clay soil in my garden and added compost, which was I must say was  back breaking work! Should I walk over it and level it with a layer of topsoil before I sow grass seed?

https://ibb.co/bPRyDwL

Some of the clay clods are a bit sticky and hard to break down and another area I did earlier in the week some
clods are hard but do break down with some energy!

Posts

  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Clay is the very "sod" pray maybe!I wouldn't try seed,make sure of the drainage issues before you start,can we have pictures to get a better idea
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    You need a fine tilth to sow the seed into, so I would add more compost. My brother worked an entire cubic metre of compost into the top three inches of the dreadful clay he got as a new build. He took it over with grass turves that were curling up like sandwiches. It was laid on top of solid clay and never bonded.  He then sowed seed and got a lovely lawn. The preparation is key if you want something decent, rather than trying to correct it later.  If you have some decent topsoil to lay on top, rake it to a fine tilth, then sow (in Autumn). It is too late now to sow seed for this summer.
  • dennewCuJfFFUqdennewCuJfFFUq Posts: 9
    Nanny Beach said:
    Clay is the very "sod" pray maybe!I wouldn't try seed,make sure of the drainage issues before you start,can we have pictures to get a better idea
    Pictures in the post 
  • dennewCuJfFFUqdennewCuJfFFUq Posts: 9

    fidgetbones said:
    You need a fine tilth to sow the seed into, so I would add more compost. My brother worked an entire cubic metre of compost into the top three inches of the dreadful clay he got as a new build. He took it over with grass turves that were curling up like sandwiches. It was laid on top of solid clay and never bonded.  He then sowed seed and got a lovely lawn. The preparation is key if you want something decent, rather than trying to correct it later.  If you have some decent topsoil to lay on top, rake it to a fine tilth, then sow (in Autumn). It is too late now to sow seed for this summer.
    Thanks for the reply! I have 2 tonne of premium topsoil. Can I ask why is sowing seed too late ? I live up north. 
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