Advice regarding preparing the ground for a new turfed lawn

lokz

FreeBear said:

lokz said:

FreeBear said:

 If you are on clay, it is also worth mixing some sharp sand in with your top soil to improve drainage.

@FreeBear . Thanks for that info. That is a very useful one as we are on clay soil. I have looked around for some articles, but couldn't get help on ratio or amount of sharp sand to be used when preparing the ground. As mentioned it is 35 sq meter area and I will be using about 3/4th of a ton of top soil to the existing clay soil for levelling  . What would be the ideal amount of sharp sand to be used ?

3/4 tonne is only going to give you a very thin layer of soil (about 12mm). For 35m², you'd about 3 tonnes for a 50mm thick layer - I'd fork 1.5 tonnes in to the soil you have there, and mix another 1.5 tonnes in with the top soil.

    @FreeBear That would be mean another 3/4th tone of top soil. How much sharp sand do you think is needed to be added for better drainage?

FreeBear

lokz said:

FreeBear said:

lokz said:

FreeBear said:

 If you are on clay, it is also worth mixing some sharp sand in with your top soil to improve drainage.

@FreeBear . Thanks for that info. That is a very useful one as we are on clay soil. I have looked around for some articles, but couldn't get help on ratio or amount of sharp sand to be used when preparing the ground. As mentioned it is 35 sq meter area and I will be using about 3/4th of a ton of top soil to the existing clay soil for levelling  . What would be the ideal amount of sharp sand to be used ?

3/4 tonne is only going to give you a very thin layer of soil (about 12mm). For 35m², you'd about 3 tonnes for a 50mm thick layer - I'd fork 1.5 tonnes in to the soil you have there, and mix another 1.5 tonnes in with the top soil.

    @FreeBear That would be mean another 3/4th tone of top soil. How much sharp sand do you think is needed to be added for better drainage?

3t -3/4t equals 2 1/4t

if you are buying it in bulk bags, you'd want four bags (nominally, 3.2t). As for how much sharp sand, that would depend on how heavy your clay soil is. But generally, the more, the better.

lokz

Eldi_Dos said:

lokz said:

  @Eldi_Dos
 Did you mean fish and bone meal fertiliser as well when you meant slow release fertliser ?

Initially i considered rotovating, but thought as the weeds are over grown and as I need to hire/buy one for a 35sq m garden, didn't felt it is worth it. Also never thought once they are rotovated they can be used a bed for new lawn turf.

At this time of year you want to avoid a fertiliser with to much nitrogen as this will encourage too much growth before winter sets in and it will not have time to harden off, especially if we get early frosts.
My personal preference would be just bonemeal, for slow release and to help with root growth.

@Eldi_Dos Thanks. That really helps. After reading online, I understood more.  i am thinking of following a combination under the section Autumn/winter lawn feed to prepare the ground before laying new turf.

https://www.relentlessgardener.co.uk/best-organic-fertiliser-lawns/

What are your thoughts on that? Also do i need to get a soil kit ordered or is too overkill for a home lawn?

lokz

FreeBear said:

lokz said:

FreeBear said:

lokz said:

FreeBear said:

 If you are on clay, it is also worth mixing some sharp sand in with your top soil to improve drainage.

@FreeBear . Thanks for that info. That is a very useful one as we are on clay soil. I have looked around for some articles, but couldn't get help on ratio or amount of sharp sand to be used when preparing the ground. As mentioned it is 35 sq meter area and I will be using about 3/4th of a ton of top soil to the existing clay soil for levelling  . What would be the ideal amount of sharp sand to be used ?

3/4 tonne is only going to give you a very thin layer of soil (about 12mm). For 35m², you'd about 3 tonnes for a 50mm thick layer - I'd fork 1.5 tonnes in to the soil you have there, and mix another 1.5 tonnes in with the top soil.

    @FreeBear That would be mean another 3/4th tone of top soil. How much sharp sand do you think is needed to be added for better drainage?

3t -3/4t equals 2 1/4t

if you are buying it in bulk bags, you'd want four bags (nominally, 3.2t). As for how much sharp sand, that would depend on how heavy your clay soil is. But generally, the more, the better.

    Thanks. After using the current soil to level the ground, I found its very compacted at few places ( I could get a pocket knife only to go down for 10 mm ) , at few places its very loosely compacted ( knife went down for about 35 mm ) . I am thinking of digging up  at the compacted places.

My aim is  to get the ground prepared well for a long term. Do you think rotovating the whole area and heeling / treading after that is necessary or  do you think the extra layer of top soil (about 30 mm) is enough to get the ground well prepared for the long term.

FreeBear

If you rotevate, that would be an ideal time to add some sharp sand (which will improve drainage). Then heel/tread the surface, put down the top soil (with more sharp sand mixed in).

Eldi_Dos

lokz said:

Eldi_Dos said:

lokz said:

  @Eldi_Dos
 Did you mean fish and bone meal fertiliser as well when you meant slow release fertliser ?

Initially i considered rotovating, but thought as the weeds are over grown and as I need to hire/buy one for a 35sq m garden, didn't felt it is worth it. Also never thought once they are rotovated they can be used a bed for new lawn turf.

At this time of year you want to avoid a fertiliser with to much nitrogen as this will encourage too much growth before winter sets in and it will not have time to harden off, especially if we get early frosts.
My personal preference would be just bonemeal, for slow release and to help with root growth.

https://www.relentlessgardener.co.uk/best-organic-fertiliser-lawns/

What are your thoughts on that? Also do i need to get a soil kit ordered or is too overkill for a home lawn?

Their Autumn feed seems just the right stuff for what you want at this time of year.
I like Lawnsmiths seasonal diary for advice, always seems sound to me.

I have little experience of clay soils but would imagine if you are getting your new topsoil and turf from same area that they would be compatible and I would not buy a testing kit.

You have got to remember that most of these sites are trying to sell you something and tailor their advice accordingly, best to take what they say with a pinch of Epsom.

Marb6145ky

You could mix some 50% bonemeal with 35% hoof and horn with 15% sulphate of potash to create the correct NPK fertiliser for new grass seed. Aternatively, just use some pre-seed fertiliser (look for NPK analysis of 6-9-6) along with the grass seed - all will grow nicely.