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Mossy garden/Laying new garden

Last post 01-06-2012 2:42 PM by madmuncher. 11 replies.

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  • 10/02/2012 12:13 PM
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    Hi All

     This is my first post as I'm hoping to get some advice on my lawn problem.

    As you can see by my username, I would class myself as a complete novice around the garden! To be honest, this house is the first property where I've had a garden to tend!

    I have a rear lawn which is near enough south facing, but more than half the lawn is mossy. Also, the garden slopes from the top left to the bottom right.

    I am getting an extension built in the next couple of months and before work starts, I am having a retaining wall built to put the soil removed from the foundations put into to level up the garden somewhat.

    My question therefore is, should I remove the top layer of garden (moss and all) and use this after the soil from the foundations has been added? What would be best to treat the moss before re-using if that is indeed the best way forward? I will also be needing to buy some topsoil to make up the shortfall to level the garden, so what would be the best order to do this in? i.e. soil from extension in first, then top soil then old lawn on top (once treated of course!)?

     Thanks for looking and any help is appreciated!

     
  • 10/02/2012 05:28 PM
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    • RogerB
    • Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
    • 14 Jan 2009
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    If you are going to dump a load of soil from digging the foundations I wouldn't worry about the moss. Once that soil is down, put on the new top soil, let it settle, level it then either turf it or seed it would be the way I would go about it.

    Give it a go - it might just work!
  • 11/02/2012 05:23 PM
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    Hi Roger B. Had the builder around again today. Much as you said, he feels it is a waste of time/effort to remove a layer only to have to put it back again. Plan is to lay the loose small rubble first on the existing lawn (for drainage), then soil from foundations, then i'll put down top soil and finish with turf. One final question, will the moss be rendered dead, or will it still need treated before putting soil down? Thanks again!

  • 11/02/2012 06:59 PM
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    • Snark
    • Suffolk
    • 12 Jan 2011
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    It will die once the new soil is on top of it.

    For the Snark was a boojum you see
  • 12/02/2012 09:12 AM
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    Thanks everyone! Smile
  • 04/05/2012 02:41 PM
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    Hi, back again for more advice!

     Extension is now finished so work on garden/lawn can start. At the moment, the soil which was put down on the garden is compacted quite hard and has a "clay" texture to it. I have started to break it up by turning it wth a fork and I've been watching the following link

    http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-lay-turf-264440/view/

    Do I have to get the soil broken into very small bits or will the combination of compost and topsoil help to level out again once raked?

     thanks for any help again!
  • 04/05/2012 03:43 PM
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    • madmuncher
    • Nottinghamshire
    • 20 Mar 2010
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    That's right..you need to break the compaction..as the grass root will find hard to penetrate and grow in the'concreted' layer of 'clay..so at this stage I would say do what you can for breaking up all those clumps and getting the surface in 'will do' level...the more even the soil level at this stage..you will ensure the 'finer' top soil is then evenly distribute too. You don't really want to use top soil in mass to even out big level differences or your grass will grow very differently in places where there is more or less topsoil. So get the ground in level even if it has some clumps and spread the top soil in even layer on top..it will help with the 'final' leveling..all the finer particles will 'fall' in between the clumps and help keeping the original soil in more open textured for the roots. After spreading the topsoil..that is when you need to achive the 'best' finish and ensure nothing stick out but you have finely crumbly surface for seed or turf.
  • 04/05/2012 03:53 PM
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    Thanks madmuncher.

     At the moment I'm really struggling to get the clay soil broken up into anything smaller than fist sized. Is there a gardenig tool/machine which can help get smaller sized "lumps"?
  • 06/05/2012 01:20 PM
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    • madmuncher
    • Nottinghamshire
    • 20 Mar 2010
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    You can use rotavator  or smaller 'tiller' but you propably need to ease the compaction with fork first..not all rotavators and tiller are able to 'eat' into 'solid' ground. You don't really want rotavate wet clay as it just clumps around the rotavator blades..but the ground needs to be moist...so don't wait until it dry out and goes hard again.

    You can hire rotavators for a day which should be enough...run the machine few times in different directions so it really penetrate the clumps..spread half of the topsoil..and run the rotavator once over again, just on top few inches to mix the soil in. Level and rake the ground and spread rest of the 'good stuff' over..rake again..tread the surface slightly..rake again..and apply seed/turf. Job done!  

    Sound easier than  it actually is..Huh?..well..not difficult, just hard work.
  • 06/05/2012 06:38 PM
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    Thanks again madmuncher!

     I'll give this a go someday this week weather dependant (and getting kids away for day!).

  • 31/05/2012 04:20 PM
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    Hi All again!

     Ok, I've one more question to ask. I've rotavated the soil and got all my topsoil delivered and spread. It's recommended in the video link posted above to add grit to the topsoil. Would sharp sand be as effective? I feel I've got a good depth now of soil/topsoil (about 4-6 inches at least) but having put this much effort in, I want to be sure that I've covered all bases.

     Thanks again for any replies, appreciated!
  • 01/06/2012 02:42 PM
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    • madmuncher
    • Nottinghamshire
    • 20 Mar 2010
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    I have to give you credit for doing your job thoroughly..brilliant! More work now but hopefully much less in future.

    I can't see why you should not achieve same with sharp sand as with grit. Personally I prefer sharp sand when used in top soil and if some added drainage was necessary, I would have used grit in original soil and had it rotavated in.

    But it all comes down to the quality/type of the topsoil..if it is already sandy-loam type of topsoil, it propably won't need any additional grit/sand at this stage. To keep the lawn in top condition in furture you need to do some top dressing and you can always add more sand when doing that (if needed). I prefer my lawn soil being slightly more 'heavier' side as it will keep moist that bit better, but then again I do not have any drainage issues with it.

    Yours being laid on clay base, well drained top soil is that bit more important or the surface may stay too wet and you end up with moss problem.

    Take handfull of that top soil and give it a good rub in your hand..does it cake up?..then you  need added drainage with sand/grit..or does it keep loose?..you propably don't need to add anything to it.