Compacted Bog Soil in Garden - Topsoil?

[El]

Anyone else got hard compacted soil with no drainage near a bog? Need to find cheapest solution. How much does topsoil cost? Want to plant garden but it is backbreaking trying to dig in current soil. Have asked but can't get anyone to quote me for topsoil. Need about quarter acre of topsoil. Any ideas?

[con]

In general you would try to make the best of the soil you have, as importing topsoil can get expensive on large areas. also just because you cover over what is there dose not mean the problem is going to go away.

shallow soil compaction can usually be made good by ploughing or other methods of turning over the soil.

if you in a country area ask the local arable farmer for his opinion. he may plough it for you, provided he can access the site etc. this will leave your garden soil loose but the surfasce will not be smooth. subsequent levelling, rotovation etc will be required before sowing seeds etc

all de best

[creatingyourdream]

Additionally, I would look at digging in lots of sand and gravel (which is a lot cheaper than topsoil) because if you're near a bog, chances are that the quality of the existing soil (albeit compacted) is actually very good...

Have you checked whether the soil is compacted brown or more loamy? If it's loamy, you'll have a problem, but if it's brown, you have some of the best soil around that really just needs loosening up...

Good luck!
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Marion Hermannsen
Creating Your Dream Interior Design
www.creatingyourdream.net