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Preparing to lay a new lawn

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 5:03 pm
by hanvey
I have had a really bad drainage problem in my 46m2 lawn and so have just installed a herringbone style drainage system. I have used 25m of drainage pipe and 4 tonne of pea gravel, leading into a 3ft deep soakaway. What I am unsure about is whether I should be adding sand, or topsoil, to the existing soil, to aid drainage. The ground has been 'teethed' with a digger, and I have then forked, and hoed the ground, I am just a bit concerned that when I then compact the ground, prior to laying the turf, it will form a barrier, preventing the rainwater getting to the drainage! Should I be adding anything further to the soil or should it be OK?!

Posted: Mon May 16, 2005 6:02 pm
by The Helpful Gardener
Unless your soil is VERY high in clay content you have done all you need to do. If it is clay, then the sand, along with some pelleted gypsum or lime would be most helpful...

Scott