Question
We just had an inground pool installed and our backyard is a mess. There is this horrible mix of clay and sand that when it rains turns into this "World War One trench mud" if you know what I mean. I have managed to grade it and compact it with a roller. I want to put down topsoil, then next year sod. Should I put down a few inches of sand or gravel before I put down the topsoil?
Thanks
 Jim

Answer
Hi James.
Putting topsoil over the clay will not help, unless you put at last 10 to 12 inches of topsoil.
It would be better to till in a lot of bark mulch to looosen that clay and turn it, throughj compostimg, into goo topsoil.
I do know what you mean by the mud.
Clay compacts itself, iunless you have a lot of sand in it.
What you need to grow a lawn and shrubbery is well drained soil.
Clay compacts and water cannot penetrate it to get to the roots, so plant life is choked out.
Does the water soak right into the soil or does it run off?
If it soaks in right away, them maybe you don't need to add anything to loosen it.
If the mud satys there for several days wiothout getting firmer without more rain or water being put on it. then it is just setting there and not draining. You need to loosen it, then plant.
Organics comntiinually enrich and improve the soil, so just loosening the soil, planting and using a good organic fertilizer, or just adding some alfalfa meal to the soil will feed the grass and get it growing.
If you put down a few inches of brak mulch, ( I recommend cedar for insect repelling) and till it in, but spring a lot of it will be composted and already turned into food for what you plant there.
Charlotte