This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Hard core under topsoil
shellnjojNC7RnFx
Posts: 8
Hi, I got in hard core to go under rock to replace a lawn which was ruined by our dog going back and forth..I changed my mind about the rock..after taking up 4 inches of top soil and putting into a high raised bed ! In the meantime the worker brought the hard core as we are putting down a cement patio in half the space. He said it would do no harm to put a layer of hard core down where we removed the topsoil as he didn't want to take it away... Then he threw a layer of builders sand on top of that. Now I'm regretting it and thinking thee will only be room for a couple inches maybe three of topsoil to lay the turf down on .I'm worried about the lawn being lumpy after and feeling rocks under the surface as the soul settles . I think there is still good earth under the hardcore and sand but I don't know if the roots of the grass will get through it to grow be deep roots. It is a north facing area .which for the past twenty years had about 6 birch trees in it ..we just cut them down . I can get that hardcore up before the top soil comes in .as it hasn't been compacted in and the top soil isn't on top yet. I really want this grass to have a good chance for it to withstand the doggy .I'm hoping with the birch trees gone it may do better than the lawn before. Shall I lift it up or will it make a difference. The lawn could be slow to drain so I think he thought this might help it. But I felt before it was quite a hard lawn. I do t want that again as it was very patchy. Thanks for any advice you can give. I'm thinking of turf rathe than seed ..thanks I'll attach a photo of the space before we dug up the lawn. That's offcuts of artificial grass down to just heo with the mud !! Thanks for your help
0
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If you cover the hard core with sand or top soil, before laying turf, in time the sand or soil will gradually wash through into the hard core and you will be left with a hard core surface again. If you can get rid of the hard core that would be the thing to do. Go down to the soil level and give it a chance to get some air to it. It would take patience from you to wait another season before laying turf or seeding. Try not to dig into the soil level if it is compacted as this will make a good base for your future lawn.
Leaving the soil exposed and waiting will show you if there is a drainage problem.
Using turf is the most expensive way of creating a lawn and is labour intensive if the weather is warm and dry. Seeding takes longer but if sown in autumn is much easier on the pocket and effort.
It might be worth removing the larger pieces of hard core, leaving the finer dust and grit as drainage under a layer of top soil, which can be expensive to buy in. Having a dog using the garden suggests using a hard wearing seed rather then turf. As there were llarge trees growing in the area it is likely to be very depleted in nutrients so a light dressing of a slow release, all purpose fertilizer before laying turf would help to get a turf lawn going.
Good luck.
shellnjojNC7RnFx said:
.