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estest · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:36 pm Post subject: topsoil

Hi

I'm new to the area and have noticed that the soil is heavy clay in the garden. i am wanting to strip this back and replace with topsoil. Can anyone tell me where the best place is to get topsoil ? or if anyone else has had topsoil delivered to them who supplied it and what kind of price was it.

thanks

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EstEst

Martin Peck · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:58 pm Post subject: Calne clay soil

You'll need a lot of top soil to make a difference why not work on the clay its a very nutrient rich soil. Incorporate in plenty of strawy manure (cheaper than topsoil). Lime will floculate the soil into granules but the clay will already have a high pH so be careful (will grow good brassicas). Use the no dig method of growing and take care walking over the clay as you can soon ruin the structure. For veg use deep beds on top of the original soil with plenty of organic matter from your compost heap or manure.
I'm an ex Calne boy and watched my grandfather grow superb veg in Calne clay.
Martin (Horti lecturer at Cannington Colllege Somerset)

GTB · Bushton Bushwacker Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2206 Status:

Good post, Martin.

I would imagine if you just tipped a good layer of topsoil onto a heavy soil type like Calne clay you would get a certain amount of panning wouldn't you?
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Martin Peck · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

Yes you would have terrible drainage and as soon as plants got their roots into a different soil (clay) they would slow down growth and distort. You don't know what you are getting with imported top soil could be any old rubbish I know I bought a brand new house with imported soil. Its also very expensive and you would need tons.
Martin

Chepfer · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject:

So horse manure would be ideal then ?

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4792 Status:

we used to live in in cowslip grove and that was all clay i was told to mix mushroom compost with it as that was ment to help.

Martin Peck · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject:

Mushroom compost has a lot of lime in it so will floculate the clay particles. Horse manure is ok if well rotted watch out for any with wood shavings as it will use up all your nitrogen to rot down. Rot it on your compost heap for a year mixed with your garden and household waste. Not rhubarb or horse chestnut leaves.
Martin

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4792 Status:

there was a ad in this weeks gazzette with a number .top soil was free.

estest · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

thanks Martin and everyone for the advise and info... i see Hills recycling in calne at the landfill site does baulk selling of recycled garden waste into compost...would this be a good enough?...least i would be also doing my bit for recycling.
EstEst
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EstEst

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4792 Status:

its not bad stuff from hills.can be a little corse though.