New Build Rectangle

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• GardenerSuze Posts: 5,692

  21 January edited 21 January

  @richjamesturner What type of soil is it ,clay possibly if it is poorly drained. The thin layer of soil was probably put on top by the builders to cover the rubble.What is really going on down there could be investigated by digging a few holes to see if it drains.
  
  Have you tracked the sun and worked out the best place to sit. It is shady next to the house but is there sun at the bottom of the garden in winter, or is the whole garden sunless due to other buildings? Grass grows poorly in deep shade, but children need a lawn to play. There is grass seed for shade available but not sure if it is successful. 
  
  Perhaps an area to sit with some pots could be a starting point. If there is little time to spare and a small budget it isn't possible to remove the rubble [possible skip required] buy in top soil, reseed the lawn which may be a no go in winter due to drainage. Going down into the ground is when it gets expensive.
  
  The children need a place to play but this would be an ideal opportunity for them to grow seeds in pots if there is enough sun. Introducing insects/ birds into a garden makes it feel a better place.
  
  If you are able to give a fews of your thoughts to this I am sure you will get more help.
  
  

  I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.

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• Rubytoo Posts: 1,630

  21 January

  I don't know if you or your friend would wish to pursue this or try.
  But, all new builds are supposed to have garden areas left in a reasonable state after or during building completion.
  NHBC
  https://nhbc-standards.co.uk/10-external-works/10-2-drives-paths-and-landscaping/10-2-9-garden-areas/
  
  Take note of the depths given in the statement.
  

  • old foundations, concrete bases and similar obstructions removed from within 450mm of the finished ground surface.

          This should include subsoil decompaction, such as rotavating, to a minimum depth          of 300mm ....
  
  

  • a minimum thickness of 100mm topsoil provided.
  • 
    

  Not a lot I know but if they have not fulfilled those three measurements at least, they should be asked to remedy it.
  Worth a try even if it is just a load or two of topsoil.

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• GardenerSuze Posts: 5,692

  21 January

  My new home was built on a field. No obstructions and I am sure it would have been a fight to get through the pan to bury anything. When I dug down to a spade and a half which was very wet, I found a very dry pan that was like a rock. The water was going no where. Not one single brick found.
  They dump the topsoil to the required depth on top of the weeds then build the houses without stepping back on the soil other than to lay a lawn and put down a few slabs.

  I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.

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• Ceres Posts: 2,698

  21 January edited 21 January

  At one of our homes on a new build estate, I found a complete pane of glass underneath some freshly laid turf. If you have children it is worth investigating what the builders left under the lawn as there could be all sorts of potentially harmful items that could cause injury.

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