View Single Post
  #9   Report Post  
Old 18-04-2006, 10:55 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
George.com
 
Posts: n/a
Default Drainage for a lawn on clay soil


"BIGTOM" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks folks-looks like he is going to have to try a soak away and add
lots of drainage material
and cross his fingers !!!
Tom

Ggetting a soil test may be worthwhile, I am thinking, for a humus test
(some soil testing laboratories will test for this, other will not). Once he
has dug the soak hole(s) this may start to drain some of the water off.
Aerating the soil and gradually building the soil layer up by top dressing
will also help (these will not yeild dramatic results over night but should
be viewed as a medium term matter. If he has a shitty little layer of top
soil over a clay pan (such as you have sometimes in new subdivisions) he may
need to add quite an amount of organic matter and resow the grass. If the
top soil is fairly deep, at a guess here at least 6 inchs, then there should
be enough for decent humus to develop. The humus layer is where a lot of
biological activity takes places and it is an important part of a lawn
expelling excess moisture in wet seasons and retaining needed moisture in
dry seasons. Again, it is not a miracle cure but plays a part in the cycle.
If a soil test shows low humus levels, soil tests will come with diagnostic
information, then he can pay attention to getting that working right. Best
way go organic, no pesticides and artifical fertilisers. Blood and bone &
pelleted animal poop will help build humus. If you can;'t be bothered doing
it the scientific way a rough guide is cut a sod of turf a spade depth cubed
and count worms. 7 or under shows problems with the soil life, 8-22 aprox is
ok, over 23 is very good. If you have a good abundance of worms this
indicates the soil is probably in good health and that the humus is probably
also good. Worms help aerate your soil and drain it. This advice is in
addition to the other good tips you will get about drains, aeration, top
dressing etc and is only ONE of several steps that will help.

rob