Planning a lawn question

Hi.
I used to have a concrete back garden, in the summer i jack-hammered the concrete and got rid of it.
I am now preparing the ground for a lawn, we need to put in about 6 inches of soil to get back the garden level ready for the turf.
My question is can we use multi purpose compost instead of top soil? because compost is alot cheaper, and putting in 6 inches of top soil in our back garden will be very expensive.
What do you think?
Thankyou
Paul

 

How much have you been quoted for topsoil? We just bought 10 tons of topsoil for �£10 per ton at our local garden centre. We did at first get a quote from a landscape garden company of �£40 per ton which we thought a bit steep.

 

A lawn needs drainage or you will get moss and most compost is designed to retain water so you would need to add about 50% sharp sand to it and mix it well before spreading. It should make a good springy base for your turf but will need to settle before you lay it.

 

Hi, i haven't had a quote, we've just been going to the local gardening center, buying those bags of top soil, but doing that it's just too expensive. Also were we live it's difficult for someone to dump 10 tons of soil outside our house, so can't do it that way.
I think i'll get some sand and mix it with compost to do the job.
I hope to lay the turf in a couple of weeks.

 

The compost will oxidize and disappear over a few years, and has limited nutrient holding capacity - in 3 years you will have a problem. This year the peat bogs that supply its main component will have a problem.You can buy 1 tonne bags (builder bags) of OK soil from Rolawn for approx �£60, delivered I think. Check for your local stockist. Alternatively try a sports turf contractor who might sell you your requirement of 25kg bags of 70-30 or 60-40 rootzone for not much.

Poor soil is like poor preparation for decorating. A poor long term decision. and in an ideal world better avoided. Those bags of garden centre compost are fine for potting up and hanging baskets, but not for lawns IMO.