I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be the best time to do this?

Remove the old lawn then you need to rototill in compost in to the top 8 inches
of the soil This will bust up the clay soil which will improve drainage and add
lots of good nutrients to your soil. If you are going to re-sod you can do
this anytime the sod farmers in you area will deliver fresh sod. If you are
going to seed the lawn, I prefer the fall because of less weeds, but it can be
done in the spring.


Sally wrote:


I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?

Sir Topham Hatt said:

Remove the old lawn then you need to rototill in compost in to the top 8 inches
of the soil This will bust up the clay soil which will improve drainage and add
lots of good nutrients to your soil. If you are going to re-sod you can do
this anytime the sod farmers in you area will deliver fresh sod. If you are
going to seed the lawn, I prefer the fall because of less weeds, but it can be
done in the spring.

One of the best posts to this group, in a long time, deverves a repeat. =)

--

Eggs

What is a "free" gift? Aren't all gifts free?

Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?

Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage. Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than fertilizer.

"Stubby" wrote in message
. ..
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?

Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage. Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks up
the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than fertilizer.

aeration wouldn't hurt either/

Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?

Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage.

Or not.

Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.

Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than
fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps if
your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder cure
for that problem.

Steveo wrote:
Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?
Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage.

Or not.
Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.
Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than
fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps if
your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder cure
for that problem.

Please refer to http://www.paulparent.com . Search for "gypsum".
You'll find, "If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply
some garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage." I trust
the source. Paul has degrees in horticulture from UMass Sturbridge.
(I'd love to go through that program!).

In article ,
says...
Steveo wrote:
Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?
Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage.

Or not.
Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.
Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than
fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps if
your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder cure
for that problem.


Please refer to http://www.paulparent.com . Search for "gypsum".
You'll find, "If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply
some garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage." I trust
the source. Paul has degrees in horticulture from UMass Sturbridge.
(I'd love to go through that program!).


It looks like the idea is to just spread it on over the grass?
How much?


--
Want Freebies?
http://www.TheFreeStuffList.com/
Check The Free Stuff List

"Stubby" wrote in message
. ..
Steveo wrote:
Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation, the
turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud than
lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would be
the best time to do this?
Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage.

Or not.
Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.
Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than
fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps if
your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder
cure
for that problem.

Please refer to http://www.paulparent.com . Search for "gypsum". You'll
find, "If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply some
garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage." I trust the
source. Paul has degrees in horticulture from UMass Sturbridge. (I'd love
to go through that program!).

You might also look at:
http://cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/clay.htm
"Gypsum will not improve a clay soil unless the soil also happens to be
sodic."

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%2...ths/Gypsum.pdf
"Adding gypsum to sandy or non-sodic soils is a waste of money, natural
resources, and can have
negative impacts on plant, soil, and ecosystem health"



http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Soil/gypsum.htm

"As far as relieving soil compaction, gypsum has no effect."



http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt/gypsum.html

"The only soil that can be benefitted by adding gypsum is a soil high in
sodium, called "sodic soil" or "black alkali." "





--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Stubby wrote:
Steveo wrote:
Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation,
the turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud
than lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have the
existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would
be the best time to do this?
Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will improve
drainage.

Or not.
Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.
Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It breaks
up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive than
fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps if
your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your
money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder
cure for that problem.

Please refer to http://www.paulparent.com . Search for "gypsum".
You'll find, "If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply
some garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage."

Yeah It says that on the bag too, it must be true right?

It's calcium, an amendment to the chemical structure of the soil. It
doesn't do anything else to dirt. No magical soil massage in a bag going on
there.

Glad to help you again, Stub.

wrote:
It looks like the idea is to just spread it on over the grass?
How much?

What does your soil analysis say? Does it need a calcium sulfate dehydrate
adjustment? (gypsum)

"hollenback" wrote:
"Stubby" wrote in message
. ..
Steveo wrote:
Stubby wrote:
Sally wrote:
I had my back lawn returfed in February. However after rotovation,
the turf was laid straight onto clay. As a result there is more mud
than lawn this winter. It has been suggested that I need to have
the existing turf rotovated and a layer of fine gravel laid and then
returfed. Is this the best way of draining the soil and when would
be the best time to do this?
Water forms puddles on the surface of clay. Adding sand will
improve drainage.

Or not.
Adding compost will allow the soil to retain the water.

Great idea.
Because you have clay, gypsum is probably a good additive. It
breaks up the clay and improves the drainage. It's less expensive
than fertilizer.

There are people (including me) that will tell you gypsum only helps
if your soil has a chemical imbalance, otherwise it's a waste of your
money.

Stick with adding organics and/or drainage, there isn't a magic powder
cure
for that problem.

Please refer to http://www.paulparent.com . Search for "gypsum".
You'll find, "If your soil is heavy and water seems to sit there, apply
some garden gypsum to soften the soil and improve drainage." I trust
the source. Paul has degrees in horticulture from UMass Sturbridge.
(I'd love to go through that program!).

You might also look at:
http://cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/clay.htm
"Gypsum will not improve a clay soil unless the soil also happens to be
sodic."

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%2...tural%20Myths_
files/Myths/Gypsum.pdf "Adding gypsum to sandy or non-sodic soils is a
waste of money, natural resources, and can have
negative impacts on plant, soil, and ecosystem health"

http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Soil/gypsum.htm

"As far as relieving soil compaction, gypsum has no effect."

http://www.wtamu.edu/~crobinson/DrDirt/gypsum.html

"The only soil that can be benefitted by adding gypsum is a soil high in
sodium, called "sodic soil" or "black alkali." "

Black alkali is black mariah's second cousin, nasty.

Stubby wrote:
Paul has degrees in horticulture from UMass Sturbridge.
(I'd love to go through that program!).

Yes, you need major ag schooling Stub. Go for it.