Just a word of caution. I would be very careful about the builder offering to bring soil. This is frequently recovered soil, hence its low price, and can be full of all sorts of nasties from glass and plastic to small pieces of pernicious weeds such as horsetail, ground elder, bindweed, etc. There could be any number of contaminants, which is why good topsoil is pricey.
Just a word of caution. I would be very careful about the builder offering to bring soil. This is frequently recovered soil, hence its low price, and can be full of all sorts of nasties from glass and plastic to small pieces of pernicious weeds such as horsetail, ground elder, bindweed, etc. There could be any number of contaminants, which is why good topsoil is pricey.
Excellent advice and the reason I never take free topsoil. It's tempting but when you consider a hidden piece of Japanese Knotweed root the size of your finger nail will potentially bring a you a whole world of pain it's just not worth the risk.
There isn't much soil on the other side of that red line. It's already relatively flat. Unfortunately we don't have much "donor" soil to take from the garden so we'll be buying the soil. We also have a builder who's going to bring us some soil for free.
I'll be honest, I can't see how you or your garden will benefit compared with the time, effort (and finance) you will invest. I'd be tempted to consider other options.
@deedeekehoe Another thing that has struck me - and I'm not trying to be negative - but how does the landscaper propose to transport 80 tonnes of soil and materials to the back third of the garden? You mention compaction on a clay soil and I'm worried the machinery needed to move this volume (think 3-4 tipper lorries worth) will ruin the garden.
Is there a particular reason you are considering this? I fear this could be a very costly exercise that won't necessarily deliver the results you are after and will create problems for years to come.
So to recap if this is correct: 1. Your garden gradually slopes down approx 60cm (2ft) over a 7m distance, sloping sideways as well and is uneven. 2. Can't make out if you were planning to build a wall and where. Although if the start of the slope nearest the house is almost level wouldn't the wall be required at the boundary fence end which would be 60cm higher? 3. You haven't made it clear why you feel the need to level it out. What are you planning to use the new area for? 4. You are trashing the rest of the garden to bring diggers through to take up the existing grass and to lay 80 tons of new soil and build foundations and a wall. 5. The area is uneven. So after they have finished and maybe turf relayed the soil will settle over time and .. 6. The area will be uneven.
Lots of negativity about whether or not it's worth it! We think it will be worth it so that OK with us! My question was on materials and whether we should use topsoil only. Seems like people use what they had on site plus some gravel so that makes it seem we could or should also use some subsoil. Thanks to everyone who gave advice on materials
Lots of negativity about whether or not it's worth it! We think it will be worth it so that OK with us!
Whoa..take it easy tiger. It's not negativity, it's an alternative or different perspective. Perhaps one you've not considered. If you're going to ask for advice on a forum I think it may be reasonable to expect a certain cross section of opinion.
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Is there a particular reason you are considering this? I fear this could be a very costly exercise that won't necessarily deliver the results you are after and will create problems for years to come.
1. Your garden gradually slopes down approx 60cm (2ft) over a 7m distance, sloping sideways as well and is uneven.
2. Can't make out if you were planning to build a wall and where. Although if the start of the slope nearest the house is almost level wouldn't the wall be required at the boundary fence end which would be 60cm higher?
3. You haven't made it clear why you feel the need to level it out. What are you planning to use the new area for?
4. You are trashing the rest of the garden to bring diggers through to take up the existing grass and to lay 80 tons of new soil and build foundations and a wall.
5. The area is uneven. So after they have finished and maybe turf relayed the soil will settle over time and ..
6. The area will be uneven.
It's not negativity, it's an alternative or different perspective. Perhaps one you've not considered. If you're going to ask for advice on a forum I think it may be reasonable to expect a certain cross section of opinion.