Top dressing

I'm thinking I should top dress my lawn this autumn.
Does everyone else do it?
My lawn book says to use 1 part peat, 4 parts loam, 2 parts sand for loamy soil, and spread at 2 lb per square yard. Does this sound right?
I've had a look, and can get all that from B&Q (which I work next door to). Is here anywhere that's going to be much cheaper?

 

Flippin` `Eck, now that`s one I have never heard of. Why would you do that? This gardening malarky is starting to get very expensive.

I will need Kris to explain this one to me.

I never do this-hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm If I can get Mr Pops to believe this, it could be the way to get the lawn turned into a few more flowers beds for me he he he he.

Im off to google this

 

Rolawn do cubic-meter bags of ready-mixed top dressing.

http://www.rolawndirect.co.uk/products-lawn_top_dressing.html

A single bag contains 0.73 cubic meters and covers 243 sq.M. and costs £ 134.98 (inc VAT and delivery) - price per bag falls for a volume order. They do small bags too, but minimum delivery is 5 bags @ £20.08 each (inc VAT and delivery) each bag covers 10 sq.m - they are probably also available via a local stockist.

So "not cheap"

 

I always make it myself, It is vital that the loam is sterile therfore i use the garden centre type 20 kg bags of topsoil along with stone dust and peat.

i use a cement mixer to mix it all up and save shoveling. As for the mix and quantity per m it sounds about right, I tend to throw it across in a mesured sort of way with a shovell then work it in with a lute .

 

Why? To build up the soil slightly, reduce lumps and bumps, improve my 'orrible soil slightly, and give the grass something to grow into.
Price? I reckon I could get enough to do 100 square metres for under £50, and that's not at any trade prices. It only needs doing once a year.

 

"It only needs doing once a year"

Is it better in Spring, or Autumn? (or in between even )

 

Autumn apparently. I intend to do it late September.

 

I've put it in my ToDo list. Thanks.

 

Could somebody please advise the correct mixture of loam, sand and peat for heavy clay soil?

Many thanks in advance

 

40%- 40% - 20% is what I would use

Make sure you use sterilised soil eg the bagged stuff they sell at gardencentres etc or you risk introducing weeds. If poss sharp or plastering sand rather than building sand

 

Hi folks. Shouldn't 'one' also make holes in the lawn ? ( I forget the proper name )

 

airreate (or however its spelt), Yes and no, You can ceratinly top dress after aireationan and you can also top dress as a stand alone treatment.

When doing it after aireation ( to help with drainage issues) I would use a higher sand ratio say 80-10-10

Edit, This is what happens when boards have farr too many smiles enabled I translate 80,10,10

 

Hi Paul. I just looked it up, Hollow Tyning :thumb:

 

Hi Paul,

Is that 80 Loam, 10 Peat and 10 Sand ?

I'm struggling to find loam and peat in the garden centres ??? I've tried my local Squires and Wyevale

Cheers,
Nick

 

Hi Nick. At my local B & Q they sell Loam (topsoil). They do a range of products under the generic 'soil improver'. Hope this helps. Cheers...freddy.