[SineWave]

Great resource and a pure amature here!

Anyhow, clearing (slash-hook, chainsaw + loppers) out an area of rocks, trees and brambles (pure scrub) before we topsoil to about a foot in depth.

What sould we do to ensure that the cut trees and brambles do not grow up through the topsoil, or is it a risk?

[verge]

Hi Sinewave. there is a good chance that the cut down trees will resprout up through 1 ft of soil. Perhaps you should hire a minidigger and pull out the stumps. Trees like elderberry, hawthorn and blackthorn are likely to regrow. There is a post here on IG about killing tree stumps, have a look.... http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114

[GPI]

Hello SineWave.
Brambles can have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt a garden afer it has been levelled, seeded and planted.
The bramble is real tough, have a look at this IG thread, it will give you some insight into the problems they can cause and some solutions......

http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=215

If you have not cut down any trees yet, I suggest you take a good look at which trees you can retain if possible.
By retaining trees you will maintain some wildlife habitats and also add a sense of maturity to your site.
Feel free to post some pics of the site for comment if you wish.

You will find an IG sticky on lawn sowing here.....
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1172#1172