.... before you start digging too enthusiastically, are there pipes or something in the highlighted areas which you'll need to avoid?
Well spotted! That's just debris from the build, no air vent to a secret underground bunker unfortunately They dropped a few things into the hardcore it seems
Hopefully it's just a localised spot of compacted soil, and breaking it up a bit will restore reasonable drainage. In that case you can scrape off the old hardcore, fork it a bit, and top up with topsoil.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
Hopefully it's just a localised spot of compacted soil, and breaking it up a bit will restore reasonable drainage. In that case you can scrape off the old hardcore, fork it a bit, and top up with topsoil.
It's under that whole area! Will see how it goes tomorrow when they dig a bit deeper
I suggest taking out the old hardcore and debris then fork over where the new bed is going to be, then see how the drainage is before you add the new topsoil. Anywhere that's been paved will be very compacted underneath but the basic subsoil shouldn't be different from the rest of the plot. There are plenty of plants that like a damp soil but it's as well to know what you have before you decide on the planting.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
It's false economy to just add soil and then plants in a site like that. If you want plants to succeed [regardless of what they are] it pays to spend as much time, money and effort on the 'hole' as it does on the plants themselves
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I see membrane..that may be impeding drainage? Also, before you dig check for services..gas, electric, cable tv, drains etc. A more 'wide angle' photo may help.
That's right, @Fairygirl , it is for underneath the gravel They've dug 1.5ft down and are putting a layer of hard core and gravel on the sandy/clay. Then a layer of pea gravel and soil, then a layer of soil and organic matter mix. Does that sound ok?
Hmm, why are they putting a layer of hardcore and gravel, and then pea gravel, down there?
I would just remove all hardcore and crap down to about a foot deep, break up the existing soil to improve drainage, and bring up the level with new topsoil. Simple!
If the soil remains poorly draining there's more options to explore but simply adding hardcore and gravel isn't necessarily helpful.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
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I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Also, before you dig check for services..gas, electric, cable tv, drains etc.
A more 'wide angle' photo may help.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They've dug 1.5ft down and are putting a layer of hard core and gravel on the sandy/clay. Then a layer of pea gravel and soil, then a layer of soil and organic matter mix. Does that sound ok?
I would just remove all hardcore and crap down to about a foot deep, break up the existing soil to improve drainage, and bring up the level with new topsoil. Simple!
If the soil remains poorly draining there's more options to explore but simply adding hardcore and gravel isn't necessarily helpful.