In article , Tumbleweed thisaccountnever
writes


So here's my plan. I am thinking of using my pickaxe to break the surface
up and then remove any of the bigger chunks. I could then lay between 4"
and 6" of soil on top of the surface, which will take the level to the top
of the retaining wall.

So the question is, will 4-6" of soil with a compacted base underneath be
enough to allow grass to grow from seed, or do I need to completely shift
this compacted base?


Bear with this story :-)

2 or 3 years ago a patch appeared on my lawn, it was *perfectly* round, and
about 15-18 inches across. Over a few weeks the grass in it went completely
dead. The grass around it was fine. I was mystified as to the cause and the
very clear delineation between growing and dead, and started digging. Only 2
inches underneath the dead grass was a round paving slab that the grass had
gradually grown over eventually completely covering it, and I had forgotten
it was there. It had been there over the slab for 5 or 6 years at least
before the grass died. The cause was a very dry summer. So, I'd say that yes
it will germinate and grow happily, and it will probably be OK most of the
time, but in v a dry summer, even the 4-6 inches of soil might not have
enough stored moisture to keep it going.

But he's breaking the surface of the compacted stuff. Then adding 4-6
inches of soil on top of that. And the compacted stuff isn't free
draining. It's a very different situation to grass growing over a paving
slab on whatever soil accumulates between the grass roots.


--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"