Since I have started answering this before getting your clarification,
I have found some basics which should be of value regardless of where
you live or the type of sod being placed.
In order to be clear with the answer, I must assume you know little
about the subject. If I offend by that statement, I'm sorry. But by
doing so, I'm much more likely to actually post the information you
want.
First I will direct you to a website simply called "Improving Soil."
It gives a basic breakdown and description of soil components, plant
nutrition needs, what the nutrients do, soil testing hints, soil
amendments, drainage and aeration. (
http://www.rodsgarden.50megs.com/improvingsoil.htm )
As I mentioned, minimal topsoil needs vary place to place and you
should have a soil test done to establish just what the needs in your
location are.
This site from a commercial grower and seed company, "Seedland.com"
gives information about sod placement, basic soil needs, how to choose
the right kind of grass for your needs, even down to surface soil
texture. "An ideal finish is to get all of the lawn very smooth and
level, resulting in the top 1-2 inches of the soil being very fine
composition. End up with the graded area approximately 1" below the
final level you will want the grass to be (1" below sidewalks,
sprinklers, etc.)" - quote from Seedland.com
( http://www.sodding.com/ ) If you will go to the home page, you
will find grass types state by state. That information is found in a
column on the right side of the page about half way down.
And it should be pointed out that no grass-establishment method will
work for every site.
If you are just looking for the basic nutrients all plants need in a
topsoil, there are thirteen. The six that the plants need the most of
are known as 'macronutrients.' They are nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. The other nutrients,which
are needed only in trace amounts, are known as micronutrients. They
are iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum and chlorine.
I will not presume to try and tell you what the proper amount of each
should be as once again that depends on a number of variables from
grass type to localized variations in already available nutrients.
I hope that this helps and included the information you are seeking.
I would avoid any answer that gives you a basic standardized, one size
fits all, definition of minimal topsoil requirements or composition.
Such a definition might be applicable for use many places, but
certainly not all.
Please feel free to ask for any clarifications.
Cheers
Digsalot-ga |
Request for Answer Clarification by
pfj-ga
on
25 Jul 2002 19:13 PDT
Again, thanks for the response. This is the second time I have
started this response, only to have lost the connection. My first
response was pretty good and to the point but now I can't remember how
I had approached it. Anyway-
I live in central NJ in the township of Lakewood. My community
consists of approx 1,000 homes and large areas of common ground. What
prompted my question was a concern for what I would reluctantly call
top soil used throughout the area.
I moved here in Sept., 2001 and have experienced the conditions of the
sod, or now grass, through this past winter. The lawns throughout the
area were completely brown which made me think that the sod was
zoysia. The landscape maintenance people, however, assure me that the
sod is 100% Kentucky Blue. In the spring time it took forever for the
grass to begin to turn green despite the huge amounts of expensive
water that was poured on it . Even now there are still brownish areas
throughout the landscape. This led me to question the reason why. In
the brown areas, the soil underneath the sod is so compacted that you
cannot penetrate it with a spade or pitch fork. In the areas where I
have removed the sod, I find a sandy, light soil mix full of small
stones and pebbles.
I must provide the reason for my question. We, as a home owners
assoc., are in the process of accepting total responsibilty for the
community from the sponsor, or builder, or owner. There is a list of
transition items that the sponsor must attend to ,or correct before
we, as an association assume resposability for the entire community.
I am attempting, currently, to convince the board of directors to
include the landscape condition as a transition item. That is to say
that I am trying to have the sponsor acknowledge the fact that he has
provided a top soil deficient in the qualities that will sustain the
sod and provide a healthy growing environment that will not demand the
constant and expensive watering regimen that is currently required.
How to correct the problem is anothr matter. I am requesting that the
Board of Directors request the local college extension groups to take
soil samples and recommend programs to correct the current conditions,
but that is another matter. If the above leads you to provide any
additional information relevant to the situation it would be very much
appreciated. Aside from that, thank you for your response.
|
Clarification of Answer by
digsalot-ga
on
26 Jul 2002 08:44 PDT
Is the Township of Lakewood the same as the City of Lakewood?
If so, now that I know where you are located, it does help narrow
things down a bit. You live in an area with a reputation for low
nutrient sandy soils. The (Sister) Mary Grace Burns Arboretum at
Georgian Court College, 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ, had to
bring in 5000 carloads of loam to deal with the problem. (
http://www.georgian.edu/arboretum/ )
Since this organization is close to you, they may be able to help with
information about local soils and what is needed to bring them up to
par. I have never known an arboretum that didn't provide information
to the public. I also thought using the arboretum might be the way to
go because they don't have any profit motivation to sell sod, topsoil,
landscape design, or have any other financial reason not to be
objective with you about your situation. (though they might ask you or
the home owners association to become a member - probably worth it if
you have problems in the future - but membership is not usually
required for access to information)
Now that I know what it is about, I certainly hope you will come back
and let me know how things turn out.
Cheers
digsalot
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