Amend the Soil. Adding composts and organic matter can have a dramatic effect over time on soil structure. In some cases, where heavy clay soil has some sand, silt and organic matter content, it is sufficient to layer 3-4 inches of organic matter, such as peat, compost, or manure, on the surface, and let nature take its course. The work of natures' little soil manufacturer, the earthworm, will over time begin to improve the overall soil quality in these situations.
By far the more common situation however, is where the soil in an area is entirely natural clay, with little sand, silt, or organic matter content. In these situations, it is not sufficient to add organic matter to the surface and walk away. These situations require both hard work and patience.
It may take many years to truly improve the composition of clay soils. The best way to handle improvement of clay soil is to begin amending soil by actually digging organic matter into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, thus breaking up the heavy clay layers and providing air space in the soil to allow plants to breathe and water to drain.
However, doing this once and walking away is rarely enough. This process must be repeated regularly in any garden spaces to build up soil structure over time. Heavy clay soil has so much clay content that it may overwhelm other soil types and break them down. Only repeated applications of organic matter will eventually resolve this issue.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ATpA3bovgE
Thank you for your information this is a new build and the garden looks very clay ridden. I had another comment from a neighbour she suggested digging in sand and mushroom compost. We do need to do something as I can't see any turf remaining looking like grass more it will turn into moss.
Take William's advice. Is the area without grass or anything growing on it? Is it a very wet place & shady? Sand is controversial. Use only builder's sand if you must, not play sand. Mushroom compost often contains lots of peat moss. Peat moss and sand are the makings of concrete.
Easiest thing to do may be to amend the soil as best you can. ( Rent a tiller.) And have soil added on top to make a raised garden bed.
gosh thank you so much I should take a photo then anyone would understand we have a problem garden it has nothing growing except the odd weed as it's been too wet to rotovate so time maybe to sort it out before they lay the turf.
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You have to put a lot of gypsum into the soil,however it takes a long time to break down.
Amend the Soil. Adding composts and organic matter can have a dramatic effect over time on soil structure. In some cases, where heavy clay soil has some sand, silt and organic matter content, it is sufficient to layer 3-4 inches of organic matter, such as peat, compost, or manure, on the surface, and let nature take its course. The work of natures' little soil manufacturer, the earthworm, will over time begin to improve the overall soil quality in these situations.
By far the more common situation however, is where the soil in an area is entirely natural clay, with little sand, silt, or organic matter content. In these situations, it is not sufficient to add organic matter to the surface and walk away. These situations require both hard work and patience.
It may take many years to truly improve the composition of clay soils. The best way to handle improvement of clay soil is to begin amending soil by actually digging organic matter into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, thus breaking up the heavy clay layers and providing air space in the soil to allow plants to breathe and water to drain.
However, doing this once and walking away is rarely enough. This process must be repeated regularly in any garden spaces to build up soil structure over time. Heavy clay soil has so much clay content that it may overwhelm other soil types and break them down. Only repeated applications of organic matter will eventually resolve this issue.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ATpA3bovgE
Thank you for your information this is a new build and the garden looks very clay ridden. I had another comment from a neighbour she suggested digging in sand and mushroom compost. We do need to do something as I can't see any turf remaining looking like grass more it will turn into moss.
Take William's advice. Is the area without grass or anything growing on it? Is it a very wet place & shady? Sand is controversial. Use only builder's sand if you must, not play sand. Mushroom compost often contains lots of peat moss. Peat moss and sand are the makings of concrete.
Easiest thing to do may be to amend the soil as best you can. ( Rent a tiller.) And have soil added on top to make a raised garden bed.
gosh thank you so much I should take a photo then anyone would understand we have a problem garden it has nothing growing except the odd weed as it's been too wet to rotovate so time maybe to sort it out before they lay the turf.