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Permalink Reply by Brigitt Stevenson on May 24, 2012 at 15:07

John, I would think you would know the answer to this simple, yet maybe complicated question.... :)))

2"-3" of good topsoil is always recommended when planting grass seed and when laying sod, due to the fact that grass roots are shallow !!!

If you are planting trees and shrubs, well you obviously need to add more topsoil depending on the plants and how deep their roots systems travel...

My rule of thumb is, always always add good topsoil to mix in with the existing subsoil to encourage the roots of plants to grow during the growing seasons...whether it be 6"-12", for strong root development ...  :)))

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Permalink Reply by John on May 24, 2012 at 19:32

It is a very hot spot, and will get a fair amount of traffic from the

holiday makers.

  They have agreed to 6" of top soil.  The diggers have reached the lowest

point in one area and there is still red Devon subsoil showing, however

this will of course be completely compacted.

  So would it be wise to get them to take out a foot of this and replace it with

 some sub soil from the top of the excavation.

 And is there anyway of compacting this new subsoil to the correct density

that they can with a machine. Groundworkers and builders do not like walking

over 4" layers of soil with their heels :)

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Permalink Reply by John on May 26, 2012 at 14:12

To put this another way :)

 Would you put 3" of top soil onto concrete and

expect the grass to grow properly throughout the

year, with the lack of drainage and the possiblity of the soil

heating up in the summer.  - So would 6" be much better,

or should it still have relatively uncompacted sub soil below it.

John www.acegardenservices.co.uk said:

It is a very hot spot, and will get a fair amount of traffic from the

holiday makers.

  They have agreed to 6" of top soil.  The diggers have reached the lowest

point in one area and there is still red Devon subsoil showing, however

this will of course be completely compacted.

  So would it be wise to get them to take out a foot of this and replace it with

 some sub soil from the top of the excavation.

 And is there anyway of compacting this new subsoil to the correct density

that they can with a machine. Groundworkers and builders do not like walking

over 4" layers of soil with their heels :)

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Tony Goodridge on May 28, 2012 at 23:18

i would say so long as there is somewhere for water to drain away (ish) i would get them to build up to the required height including the 6" layer of topsoil on top, tell them to track over the area and then as they move out just loosen up the top layer with the digger. This will create a sort of natural mixed link between topsoil and sub soil. Then you can go in with a rotovator and prep the soil for turf/seed. 

i have used this method many times and although it sounds harsh the actual downward force from the tracks isnt excessive if done carefully and the ground shouldnt sink. 

just my opinion though :) 

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Permalink Reply by John on May 29, 2012 at 7:41

Thanks,

 I had a close look at the sub soil, yesterday, highly compacted, por quality and with plenty of stones.

 So I don't think I want this lot mixed with the top soil.

Tony Goodridge said:

i would say so long as there is somewhere for water to drain away (ish) i would get them to build up to the required height including the 6" layer of topsoil on top, tell them to track over the area and then as they move out just loosen up the top layer with the digger. This will create a sort of natural mixed link between topsoil and sub soil. Then you can go in with a rotovator and prep the soil for turf/seed. 

i have used this method many times and although it sounds harsh the actual downward force from the tracks isnt excessive if done carefully and the ground shouldnt sink. 

just my opinion though :) 

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