Forum

Replies

• 

  Paul McNulty November 15, 2013 at 9:20pm

  What does the "very cheap compost" consist of? Could be anything from perfectly matured to nasty wood chip.

  Don't know where you are but it's very late to be laying new lawns IMO. We had a decent frost today, and I'm in the relatively warm south-east. I've put off a planting job this week until the spring, as it's just too wet and cold, and the clients appreciated the reasons.
• 

  Graham Griffiths November 15, 2013 at 9:35pm

  Possibly not ideal but it would probably grow, turf is basically a weed it comes with its own soil anyway. I wouldnt condon it and would say its technically correct but its surprising where turf will grow, As Paul says id be weary of the weather but also a danger of the ground sinking
• 

  Geoff Norfolk November 15, 2013 at 10:55pm

  I'd have thought the compost will break down causing all sorts of problems with levels..... I'd stick with the topsoil at £65/bag
• 

  Ben Rigby November 16, 2013 at 12:04am

  Hi paul thanks for your reply. I live in far west cornwall, still warm here although nxt week looking cold.

  Compost is collected green waste that is then heat treated and left to mature, it is used at all the big local nurseries down here for propagating so it seems safe.

  Thanks Graham and Geoff, ill stick with that topsoil then I thought there might be such issues of breaking down but wanted to check, many thanks for that.
• PRO

  Phil Voice November 16, 2013 at 9:33am

  If it's composted green waste then there's the likelihood of the presence of wood fibre that has yet to breakdown.

  For wood to break down it needs bacteria to aid the process. This bacteria is naturally present in soil. To break down the wood the bacteria effectively strip the available nitrogen from the soil, leaving the soil devoid of nitrogen.

  I would definitely advise your client about the importance of adding top soil.

  If you use the compost then spread it over the soil surface and rotovate it into a depth of 6 inches (150mm) to ameliorate the rootzone then add a base dressing of organic fertiliser to compensate for the nitrogen imbalance.

  We used to base dress pre-planting soil with bonemeal (containing blood). Blood is an instant source of nitrogen (although it was banned in agriculture use due to BSE fears).

  Once you've completed the soil preparation, broadcast the bonemeal and then lightly rake into the fop inch of soil.

  You can buy bonemeal from Amazon [Disclaimer]
• 

  Paul McNulty November 16, 2013 at 9:48am

  If it's the proper green waste recycling that we have locally, it's fine as a compost. They raise the shredded waste to very high temperatures and humidity, and turn it constantly, so it's fully composted in just 6 weeks. Even then, it's "matured" before being sold on.

  But, it's a soil improver, not for levelling prior to turfing, as already mentioned.
• 

  Ben Rigby November 16, 2013 at 5:09pm

  Thanks for that Phil, some really helpful advice for future, much appreciated.

  Yes sounds very similar to the processed compost here Paul, its great stuff, but will stick to the planting with it. Many thanks.
• 

  John Baker November 17, 2013 at 12:27am

  There is no significant mineral content in compost so as far as I understand, ultimately compost breaks down to gases and liquid ( CO / CO2 / Carbonic Acid etc,etc )which evaporate or leach....process slow if wet, like '000s of years in a bog, but rapid in presence of appropriate levels of oxygen/moisture/fungus etc, such as a good soil in which you sow grass. Level a lawn seed bed using compost and you achieve nothing (unless you take the money and run before client realizes he was conned)
  Prepared to be corrected on the science, but that's what I was taught!
• 

  Gareth Main @ Newick Landscapes November 17, 2013 at 12:48pm

  No need for a high organic matter / nutrient rich soil below turf, well screened grade b soil should be fine.

  Some of the compost suppliers do make a blend with sand or soil that's still pretty cheap (£30 per m3). Locally if I need a reasonable loose load can get good soil for £35 a m3 ish anyway. Maybe just shop around a bit.
• 

  Ben Rigby November 17, 2013 at 8:28pm

  Thanks Gareth,

  Still on the look, getting soil not a problem but not much screened soil in Cornwall right now.