Filling in hole after removing pond

d0nkeyk0ng

I've drain our pond, removed all the vegetation and will be looking at lifting the whole thing out. The question is:

how to do I fit the hole and what with?

Once filled, I'd like to cover the area with grass. I have grass seed but I don't mind using turf either.

Ebe_Scrooge

If you want to plant grass on the top then you need to fill it with soil. If you don't have enough soil elsewhere in the garden that you can use, then you'll need to buy a load of topsoil ( though if you keep your eye on gumtree or suchlike you may be lucky enough to find someone wanting to get rid of some for free, if you have the means to transport it ).


If the hole is pretty deep, you could partially fill it with rubble / gravel first to reduce the amount of soil you need to buy. This will be good from a drainage point of view, but the downside is that it will tend to settle over a period of months, so be prepared to have to fill in some hollows on the surface after a few months.


In terms of the grass, if you have the seed then use that - it'll be cheaper than turf, though will obviously take some time to get established.

d0nkeyk0ng

Thanks. I have no qualms about using topsoil. I just didn't know if there was anything else that I should fill with first eg stones, gravel, sand etc

Ebe_Scrooge

There's no reason you can't fill it completely with topsoil, other than the cost ( decent quality topsoil isn't cheap ). But putting some gravel and/or sand in first will help drainage ( especially if you currently suffer from bad drainage ), with the caveat as previously mentioned that you may experience some settling further on down the line.


But the main factor is probably going to be cost. Check the price of sand vs topsoil - if the sand is cheaper then use mostly sand, but make sure you top it with a decent enough thickness of topsoil to give a good root run. And you want to be using horticultural or washed sharp sand, not just plain old builder's sand. If topsoil is cheaper then just use topsoil.

TheGardener

Don't use stuff of gumtree etc unless you can see where it came from. If its full of Japanese Knotweed/Marestail etc you will live to regret it and may fall foul of waste disposal legislation. Contaminated (lead, oil, industrial chemicals) soil is often advertised 'free to collect' on social media - be very, very careful.

I would suggest you buy certified 'soil improver' usually domestic green waste composted stuff with added gravel/sand for drainage (about £25 a ton round here) to fill in the bulk of the hole then finish off with about 12 inches of better quality 'certified' top soil from a reputable seller - if its just going to have grass on - a top layer of 6" will be enough of the good stuff.

no1catman

No point in getting 50 litre bags, order a load from a 'soil' provider, start off with a low grade, and top up the final foot with better quality.
Or, try a stables for some manure - if you can cope!

I_have_spoken

Save yourself the effort and create a sunken garden with fire pit?

Ebe_Scrooge

I must say that looks fantastic !

d0nkeyk0ng

Thanks guys. Firepit looks great but the pond isn't big - maybe 1.5x1m max. Will fill with some stones, some sand, some soil from the garden and finish with quality topsoil.