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ground prep for grass

boumdil122HvLJkOEsboumdil122HvLJkOEs Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi I moved into my first house with a garden last year and have now decided to try change the garden, before it was covered in stones we have taken these up and the ground seems really dry like claw under, I'm co fused as to what I need to do and how much I will need to be able to grow grass seed to get a lawn for my children to play on, like can I just dig it up and grow seed or do I need to dig it up and add a little top soil or do I need alot of top soil( grey patch to the bottom left is just dry clay looking ground I can get a spade I to it )

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If it is clay soil you need to improve it first by rotovating in a load of humus rich substance such as garden compost, composted bark or well rotted farm yard manure.  Then you let it settle, rake and level it and sow seed.
  • boumdil122HvLJkOEsboumdil122HvLJkOEs Posts: 5
    Ok thank you for advice I will try get a rotivater or give a good digging and see how it comes up
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @boumdil122HvLJkOEs
    1. CLEARING THE AREA - Clear the area of any plant material, weeds, roots etc.
    2. ROTIVATE YOUR SOIL - You should aim to dig at least 15cm(6inches) deep.  If you can dig deeper, 20-25 cm, the better.
    3. IMPROVING YOU SOIL - The best soil for seeding can be squeezed into a tight ball but then crumbles when prodded.  To improve clay soil you need to add organic matter.
    4. LEVELLING THE AREA - This is where you need to rake the soil to break up any big lumps that are left after you have rotivated and improved it, to get an even surface.  The flatter you can make the surface the better.
    5. TREADING THE SOIL - Once you have levelled it’s time to firm the area.  This is known as The Gardener’s Shuffle.  This is where you want to turn your fluffy surface into a firm one.  Seed requires a firm surface without a rock solid base in order for the roots to be able to penetrate the soil.  You need to shuffle all over the area pressing and firming with your feet.  If any areas sink add soil to them and tread over again to make sure the ground is as level as possible.
    6. ADDING PRE SEEDING FERTILISER - This is up to you as to whether you use this.  Not strictly necessary.  

      You are now ready to seed.
  • boumdil122HvLJkOEsboumdil122HvLJkOEs Posts: 5
    Thank you so much that's a great help, what organic matter can you use to improve the soil
  • boumdil122HvLJkOEsboumdil122HvLJkOEs Posts: 5
    Will I need to add any top soil to this ground as most of the soil in dark patches are from raised beds we took apart? We have noticed today when digging the ground has lots of stones in will this be a problem or can we still rotivate over it and do lawn
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    How big are the stones?  Small ones are usually ok … in fact they aid good drainage which you need in a lawn. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Don't rush the preparation. The best time for seeding will be autumn when it's a bit cooler but still warm enough for germination, with a reasonable chance of rain.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @boumdil122HvLJkOEs the general rule is any stone bigger than a matchbox needs to be removed. As for the organic matter you can either use home made compost or garden centre bought compost.  The trouble with using topsoil is that it contains clay which would only add to the clay that’s already in your soil.  The best time to do it is late March to mid October. If you can wait until September I would however if you can’t wait then be prepared to do a lot of watering.  Even after the grass seed has started growing you will need to thoroughly soak the area.
  • boumdil122HvLJkOEsboumdil122HvLJkOEs Posts: 5
    Thank you so much for the replys, it's mostly little gravel type stones, have tried to dig some of the ground today so any big stones will be taken out and clumps broken down, would farm manure work ok?
  • rossdriscoll13rossdriscoll13 Posts: 234
    @boumdil122HvLJkOEs you can use manure but it needs to be well rotted, not fresh. 
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