Fine dry soil

George · Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:43 pm Post subject: Fine dry soil

Hi

Does anyone know where in Dublin can i buy fine "dry" soil ?
I need few tones of it.
Few garden centers have "dry enough" soil but sieve was 20mm so still have loads of stones.

Blowin · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:11 am Post subject:

George - I can't answer your question but, if you need the tonnes you mention, would it matter if it had to be lorried in from 25 miles away? I presume a lorry will be involved anyway.

Greengage · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 7:30 am Post subject:

Maybe you require sand, What do you want this for as a matter of interest, very fine soil will not hold water and when it gets wet it will set like concrete.

George · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:54 pm Post subject:

I have to install around 170 sqm of turf grass.
Ground is leveled a bit, now i would like to finish it with fine dry soil before putting down turf. With dry soil job will go much easier. I dont want spend time for taking out stones.
Stuff which i found today on Coolock should do for me. Its soil with bit of compost and sand.
Sand is great for top-dressing after aeration, but it won't be great for base of turf i suppose.
Sometimes for top-dressing im using sand and compost mix - Great stuff. Drainage and organic material for lawn.

George · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 11:01 pm Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:19 am Post subject:

Will you not need the stones for drainage or is that sorted in the lower soil levels?

Greengage · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 7:00 pm Post subject:

What you need is sand that they use on golf greens for levelling area, then lay turf on top of that it is available from Blessington quarries or else check with your local golf club for a supplier, Soil will be a hindrance as you will not be able to rake it level as it will compact even in Ton bags and if it gets wet forget about it.

George · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:18 am Post subject:

Good one, I never heard about laying turf on pure sand, how thick should be layer of sand ?
As I understand roots will go thru it and get into soil ?
Drainage is fine there water is not staying there for long, even after heavy rain.

Greengage · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:42 am Post subject:

Simple answer 50 mm and where there are small hollows it will need more to even it out. It works only problem wrong sand and you will bet moss.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 11:10 am Post subject:

Unless the soil you already have is full of large stones or you are planning to lay a bowling green, I would just lay turf on what you have. I've done this on five occasions now and have no problems so far.

George · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 10:11 pm Post subject:

I used sand ! thanks for that.
Easy to level , job can be done even in rain !

Greengage · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 6:42 am Post subject:

Looking good, now add some peat moss between the joins and keep it watered, If it drys out it will shrink and turn up at the edges, but with all the recent rain you should be ok but keep an eye on it, As for wasting the water dont worry its still free. Surprised

until the clowns figure out the price of power.

George · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 7:03 am Post subject:

With this weather i feel safe Smile

PS
fertilizer 6-2-20 applied as well .
i will post pictures "after" in 2 weeks time

Greengage · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 10:24 am Post subject:

I use 7-6-17 I try to keep the Nitrogen down or you will be cutting all Summer if we have one.