Lawn preparaton advice

Hi all

I'm currently levelling off our sloping back garden into terraces, the middle eventually being a lawn. It has approx 12" of topsoil from when the house was built, but I've had to dig out the high part (nearest the house) and tip it onto the low part to end up with a level surface.

However where I've had to dig out, I've reached a layer of clay (like something you'd find on a potter's wheel!). As I had an excess of topsoil I've spread a few inches over the clay, but it still feels "marshy" underfoot (after the weekend rain). I wouldn't go as far as calling it "lying water", although it does collect in depressions such as footprints, and takes quite some time to disappear.

I've read that you should leave the ground for a month or so to settle - will it get better if left, or will I be storing up problems for when I turf it (probably next spring now)?

Will a rotavator help, or will this make things worse by bringing the clay closer to the surface again? I've also read advice on other sites about rotavating in a layer of compost/manure and sharp sand. I've also read about aerating the lawn and brushing in sand.

What about gravel-filled soakaways in the clay just below the layer of topsoil - will these help? I'm concerned it might affect how the grass grows, and end up with stripes on the lawn where the soakaways are.

A number of possible solutions, but what do you all recommend?

Thanks in advance

Andy

 

hi Andy and welcome to GC someone will answer your question.. just a matter of when.. happy gardening

 

Hi Andy

I can`t answer your questions either but as I am having the same trouble I will be checking this thread and seeing what the more knowledgeable GC members have to say about solving the problem :D

I have recently spiked my lawn and I will be brushing sharp sand into it this weekend,after that I won`t even be standing on it until early March when I reseed the bald areas.

As a lawn novice,it will be interesting to see the results

 

Hello Andy and welcome, firstly, what colour clay is it? Is it red, in which case you should be alright, or blue, in which case you have problems. Also, did you dig the clay before spreading the topsoil on it and how much topsoil did you use? If you will supply the answers to these questions it would be a great help in deciding which way to tackle the job.

 

I would be inclined to rotovate in pleanty of grit sand (stone dust) and some good top soil on top.

I have never laid land drain for lawn drainadge (only ever for septic tank efluentrunn off) so cant advise on if it would work or not. Long term however they do silt up so would most likely need renewing ten years or less down the line.

 

Hi all, thanks for the replies so far.

The clay is a creamy red although I've come across small streaks of blue/grey in places.
I didn't dig the clay before adding the topsoil; I just took off the existing topsoil to get the lawn area level. I ended up with an excess of topsoil so spread it back over the clay areas - probably about 3 inches.

Re the reply about soakaways - silting up was my concern too, so maybe I should knock that idea on the head.

Thanks again

Andy