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[H]omer wrote in message ... Hi folks, I finally took the plunge and started digging to discover the cause of my drainage problems. Surprise, surprise - it's heavily compacted soil on top of solid clay ... lots of clay. I haven't got the patience to wait for the effects of soil improvement techniques, so I've decided to start from scratch and just excavate the whole site. What I need to know is this: 1) ... What depth should I dig to? (I have a digger). 2) ... What type of aggregate and organic materials do I need? 3) ... What depths should each material be, and in what order? My best guess is (top to bottom): Compost Topsoil Sharp sand Chips (granite?) Hardcore Is this correct? What depths for each? Is the materials and depths different for lawn areas than for borders? I've already excavated a test area about 12'x3' and discovered all kinds of builders rubbish, including massive lumps of concrete and plastic bags, etc. Both front and back gardens are flat; the back has full sun; the front is shaded. I'm in the N/E coastal area of Scotland (clay country), and it's wet and windy. Thanks, [H]omer Hi Homer, I wonder how deep you're excavating, and how close to your house. I must assume that your house is built on the same heavy clay, and I am concerned about subsidence if you materially change the surrounding soil. Here, on heavy London clay, we have already had to rebuild our garage due to subsidence, and that's with just the clay's normal reaction to rain and drought. We are constantly watching for cracks now. Other houses in our road have also had to be underpinned. Insurance companies are very aware of the way clay reacts, and charge a higher premium on building insurance policies where properties are affected. It would not be wise to undermine your house *and* risk voiding your insurance policy. You may, of course, be a surveyor and know exactly what you're doing. I don't mean to frighten you, but if I have awoken any doubts, please consider consulting a surveyor (and, perhaps, your building insurer) before it's too late. Hope everything goes okay and you get the garden you crave for. Spider |
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