You'll want to keep the ground moist for the first 2 or 3 weeks so the grass seed can germinate. Calculate How Much Material You Need For Your Project — About Bray Topsoil & Gravel Existing grass should be able to grow through as much as an inch of top-dressing. The more topsoil you order from us, the cheaper the price, so why not get together with a neighbour or your fellow allotment holders and buy in bulk? Never amend sandy soil with clay, as grass will struggle to grow in such a hard soil consistency. I say that because you can use a minimum of 4 inches of top soil and grow grass from seed, but know that during the heat of the summer it will go dormant quickly because it will be dry quickly. Turf given a chance will root deeply but can survive on about 4inches. Add 1 or 2 or more inches … Before buying topsoil, ask how much it will settle; that information will help you determine how much to purchase. The size of the garden is about 50 SQMTs. Whether you start a lawn from seeds or use a vegetative planting method such as sod or plugs, the soil conditions largely determine how well the grass grows. After Digging in My Yard, How Can I Fix the Grass? Anything less, or anything more is likely to hinder the level of success and the overall outcome you get. Before you lay down grass sod or spread grass seed, establish a healthy layer of soil in which the sod or seeds can grow. Although you will have a hard time growing trees, shrubs or other ornamental plants there, you probably will have good luck putting in turfgrass as long as you take the proper measures to prepare the area. How to lay topsoil over gravel. There is also a lot of old brick and blocks of concrete in the garden which are ready to be skipped. Rack it out so the grass seed is covered about 1/4 of an inch. Also, the layer of topsoil should be about 1/8 to ¼ inch thick. The size of the garden is about 50 SQMTs. Hi Liv, you will need to kill the grass, including the root system. Topsoil is the necessary top 2 to 10 inches of soil in any lawn or garden. How much of the gravel do I need to remove and replace with topsoil for grass seed to grow and remain healthy? Joined: May 8, 2010 Messages: 10 Ratings: +0. Spread chopped straw or grass clippings over the top to help hold in moisture, and water the seeded ground frequently to keep the soil moist enough for germination. Moisture runs through these soil types faster than others, and the frequent watering they require also tends to wash away nutrients. Experimenting on a small scale at first is recommended to be sure that any additions are worthwhile and won't have damaging effects on workability of the soil. I would like to have grass in this area instead. Lawn grass needs a layer of topsoil that is at least 6 inches thick in the beginning. parafly9. If the concrete pad is surrounded by grass, add at least 2 inches of high-quality topsoil on top of the concrete. Topsoil Calculator Use this topsoil calculator to find out how much topsoil you need to buy for your yard. Topsoil is well, soil, so unless you need to even out low spots, topsoil won't really provide much in the way of organic matter or nutrients. In time grass will grow over the gravel and the drain should still function normally. Keep in mind that you’re adding soil, which over time will raise your grade and affect thatch breakdown and soil ecology, so don’t go overboard. Most gardens you visit, whether it’s a friend’s house or a public park, is likely to have undergone the process, which is usually how they achieve and maintain a lush lawn and fine-looking grass. You have to water 3 times a day to help the sod set roots. Install 2X4 edging with stakes, line the bottom with landscape fabric then install your 4" crushed gravel (3/8 minus if you can find this smaller size rather than 5/8 minus). This will also help water drain away from the concrete. Search for: Recent Posts. Both can be great materials to use on your property, but each has their individual purposes. Gravel can be created naturally by the erosion of bigger rocks, or it is manufactured. p+p landscaping. Using a membrane sheet under the gravel will cut down your weeding, but it will also stop plants self seeding. If the clean fill is clay-heavy, use only topsoil to break it up. Without a good layer of topsoil, plants will not grow well, if at all. Plant it in the summer so it has time to set roots before winter. Update : As far as adding soil on top the gravel, I'm afraid if I don't first remove some the gravel first it will raise the ground level too far above the adjacent walkways, making it … I spoke to a builder and he recommended using the old brick etc to level off the garden and then place topsoil and grass over that. Exact rates can depend on moisture content, type of organic materials, geographic and economic location. Bulk material purchase costs can be between $12 and $55 per cubic yard, plus and or including delivery. (Grass and weeds will grow through soil 2 or 3 inches thick quite easily.) Weeds seem to grow up out of it around the edges and in other spots. Over the course of a few years, the topsoil layer will settle to become 3 to 4 inches thick. Till over a few time once the gravel is removed. How to Grow Grass on Gravel. Those proper measures include laying topsoil. It is also easy to work with and spread, even when wet and will provide a stable, level base for laying turf or sowing lawn seed. A writer with a Bachelor of Science in English and secondary education, but also an interest in all things beautiful, Melissa J. A 2-inch layer of soil is about right. Over time, the topsoil will compact and the grass roots may not be able to grow any more. Before you lay down grass sod or spread grass seed, establish a healthy layer of soil in which the sod or seeds can grow. The cheapest thing would be to remove the weed blocker, level out the gravel, cover with topsoil (at least 50mm) level it out, spread grass seed (do some research on what type of seed mix would suit your conditions to achieve best results on your lawn), once the seed is spread, go over it with a lawn roller and wait for it to grow. Any help would be appreciated. If the drainage problem is severe, it is helpful to bring the gravel right to the top of the drain trench and leave it exposed. You can put some straw or hay over the ground as this will help retain moisture. Over time, given lack of maintenance, an old gravel car park can seem a bit worn out. Firstly is this a good idea and secondly how much topsoil would be needed on top of the hardcorde to give me a good lawn? Level and smooth the gravelled area with the rake, to ensure the flow of rainwater in the right direction, before you lay the topsoil. Request a Quote (859-635-5680) And We Will Contact You Shortly! Regular amendments to sand or gravel conditions can improve soil retention and allow drought-tolerant grass varieties to flourish. Keep the soil thick enough to support your sod so it doesn't dry out faster than the rest of your grass. That was about a month ago and it looks to me like … Trouble spots may need repeat applications, but regular, uniform top-dressing does not need to be an annual tradition. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. To determine how much topsoil you need to place over the gravel, follow these simple calculations: Measure the length and width of the area that you plan to cover with topsoil. Topsoil is the necessary top 2 to 10 inches of soil in any lawn or garden. How much topsoil to grow grass. I would like to lay turf on it, so I was wondering how much topsoil I should put in on top of the chalk for the turf to grow. Once grass has become established, water it every 3 days. Our lawn had some dips (3 inches at most) and our contractor reckoned that only topsoil was needed as the existing grass would work it's way through. Best to have it done right as Killi said -- and I'd include a weed barrier before I added sand then gravel, or just abandon the gravel and leave it a grass driveway. Compost is an example of organic matter, and it is sold by garden supply stores. The maintenance will be a lot easier, as you won’t have to pull weeds every couple of days. Fertilize lightly once each month during the growing season, at a yearly total of 5 pounds per 1000 square feet. Basically, its been a parking lot for decades, so the gravel is really packed in and compressed. I think this will solve the problems with heat, drainage, and nutrients. How Much Topsoil to Grow Grass? Laying sod is an easier way than spreading grass seeds to get a thick, lush lawn over gravel. It requires a lot less maintenance than grass, and can look even better. How much topsoil should be laid over hardcore before sowing grass seed? Because grass needs at least 4 inches of topsoil for healthy root growth, however, plan to make the topsoil layer about 12 inches thick; eventually, it will settle to about 6 inches thick. No grass is going to grow very well over hardpan, which in essence is what your compacted gravel driveway is. This will help hold in some of the moisture before it goes down into the gravel and out. 100mm of of topsoil on top of that will, in my opinion, just dry out and be very difficult to grow even grass on. Aerate. add peat to retain moisture. Large rocks are undoubtedly attractive and aesthetically pleasing, but they are more susceptible to grass growth than smaller rocks and granules. You'll need 400mm of topsoil for the best results, which means you'll need 40 cubic metres of topsoil. Likewise, what can I put over gravel? Water new grass daily, unless heavy rainfall is frequent. The fact is, each tuft of grass in turf is a plant, and plants grow better in good soil, and just because it's grass, it doesn't mean it won't mind being grown over lumps of debris, with or without topsoil placed over. Sandy, gravel-filled soil, while providing well-drained, healthy conditions for some plant life, poses difficulties for grass growth. Maybe somebody locally needs some gravel for their driveway instead. This picture shows the new sod, old lawn, and the soil over top … The problem with large rocks is that they leave open spaces for grass to grow. 10 x 15 x 0.15 = 22.5m 3. You could attempt to cover up the gravel with a grass lawn, but sod will not put down roots there and seed may not establish well in the compacted soil beneath the rocks. You'll be amazed how beautiful you lawn will grow! Otherwise it will grow back up and is a problem to mow or weed wack because of the gravel. Filling Low Spots in the Lawn. Break up the soil beneath the gravel, using a spade and rake. Plus, the roots will likely grow through the soil you just added before long. Fantastic Team; Published: November 27, 2018 ; Last update: October 14, 2020; 6min read; Views: 42,420; It’s really no surprise why so many homeowners think of replacing grass with gravel. One suggestion would be to add raised beds, and make it a vegetable garden. 12 years ago . How Often to Top-Dress . Best Answer. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. University of California Extension: Fertilizing Sandy Soil, Gardening in Sandy Soil; Cynthia Lynn Fornari, Home Gardener's Problem Solver; Denny Schrock. Turf needs at least six inches good drained soil to establish well rooted lawn. So what is considered a "small amount?" Spread 2 inches of the mixture over the ground and work it 6 inches deep into the soil with a rake. It *can* work, but there are things to consider. *** Image source: Shutterstock / Vladimir Borozenets That translates to between 0.4 and 0.8 cubic yards of topsoil for every 1,000 square feet of lawn. Get rid of some of your mucky soil to allow a bed of 4" of crushed gravel. Gravel yards can't replace the natural beauty of turf grass. Because each tonne bag of fruit and veg topsoil covers 1 cubic metre you'll need 40 bags. The size of the garden is about 50 SQMTs. Level and smooth the graveled area with the rake. Once the drain line is installed, coarse stone or gravel should then be put on top of the drain line leaving approximately 3–4 inches for topsoil for the lawn to grow in. … Incorporate the organic matter with the topsoil by using a shovel or rotary tiller, ensuring the organic matter reaches a depth of 3 to 6 inches in the topsoil. Avoid putting sand on a lawn by itself. Spread slow-release fertilizer over the top of the soil. I would recommend you remove the gravel, prepare your soil. Lawn grasses are capable of growing in much less hospitable conditions than many other plants, mainly because lawn grasses grow the majority of their roots in the top 6 to 12 inches of soil. If it the climate tends to be dry, then such a soil would necessitate a lot more watering than a heavier soil. Gravel is used in large construction projects, but it can also be ideal for replacing grass. Measuring in metres is simplest, as this will give you the volume of topsoil you need in cubic metres. Grass like plant specimens have roots and they need to grow directly into the soil. Grass will grow in around gravel if a proper seed bed is prepared. Like the smothering method of killing grass, a quality membrane will cut short any light and air to the soil beneath and nothing will grow. Get on a good watering schedule. The Natural Reseeding of a Centipede Lawn. I was hoping i could get away with about an inch. Gravel covered yards are popular because they do not use water, but gravel makes the yard hot and is difficult to walk on. I have a french drain that is covered in crush stone that currently marks the perimeter of my lawn right now. I would like to know how to lay gravel over a section of grass in my back yard which is currently a boggy mess. I am scraping off the loose gravel and want to know what the minimuim amount of top soil that i need. garden image by Krzysztof Gebarowski from Fotolia.com. When you've calculated how much topsoil you need, you'll benefit from our low bulk-buy prices, so … Once again, the soil must be adequately raked and graded for proper drainage. Good luck! As far as the ideal amount of topsoil is concerned, it is generally recommended to use about 4/10 cubic yards of topsoil for every 1000 square feet of yard. Measure with a tape measure the length and width of the gravel area on which you want to place the topsoil. If you are looking for filler then fill dirt will provide a more stable material. 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