lawn renovation

[dpmulvey]

It is clay. I'm bringing in about 50 or so yards of top soil for a 5000sqft area I have in the front that needs to be raised. I was told by the top soil company to till the two together.

I don't need any fill in the back as it just needs smoothed out & seeded if I can get the soil amended.

They're close. I live in central VA. Probably damn near the clay capital of the nation.

Consider giving this project a few years to be done right. Topsoil is part of the solution. Ground gypsum (drywall) is another. Mulch is the third. Beach sand is the fourth.

Lay an inch of each over the clay. Rototill it in to a depth of 6 inches. Plant clover.

Next year, do the same thing.

The third year, do the same thing.

The fourth year, start to grow grass.

Here is the reasoning.

The topsoil will provide a base for growth. However, if the grass roots hit a hard surface, anything with a stronger root base will over take the grass. The gypsum will neutralize the "PH" in the clay as well as break up whatever it is that holds clay together. The mulch is an organic soil nutrient. One of my former bosses is a gardening fanatic. He has been tilling 3" of mulch along with the remnants from his garden into the soil for at least 10 years. The garden plot (roughly the size of 1/2 of a football field) looks like Iowa. The soil is so rich, he could probably sell it at a profit. The beach sand aids in breaking up the clay as well as providing a drainage avenue for the rain waters. Clover provides a natural source of nitrogen to the soil.

HTH.

Good Luck.

 

[Presentation]

Edit: Oh yea, and NEVER use a lawn catcher for cutting grass! Get a good set of sharp mulching blades, and add that stuff right back!

Question for you.

If I don’t use a catcher but I’m not using a catcher out of being lazy, do I still get the lawn nutrient benefit from not bagging the clippings?

 

[billandamy]

Question for you.

If I don’t use a catcher but I’m not using a catcher out of being lazy, do I still get the lawn nutrient benefit from not bagging the clippings?

Yes! Your laziness is rewarded in this instance tremendously! My suggestion is to bring a beer along the next time you have to mow, and every time after that to celebrate serendipity!

May I suggest Guinness?