Question
James
I am in western Canada.
I needed a load of topsoil to fill a big depression in my backyard where a garage once stood.I though perfect spot for a garden.
The stuff is very expensive, with most of the cost being 'delivery charge'.
I checked the online classifieds and there was a gentleman that had a 'big pile of soil he needed to get rid of' and would deliver it for the 'cost of delivery'.
I smelled a deal and bit. I got enough dropped off in my front yard to fill my new garden and fill in low spots in my front yard.
I never actually spoke to the gentleman as I work nights and sleep days.
When I got around to the work I discovered it wasnt top quality soil-bits of asphalt, white clay like stuff, and rocks, but what the heck.
I seeded it with a good seed and we have had lots of rain, but no germination yet!
I have seeded other spots in my lawn with the same seed, just raking in the seed, since then and have gotten germination.I  worked in some peat/manure two weeks ago with some seed-still nothing.
Is this soil possibly from an industrial site and useless for lawns/gardens?
Is there anything I can do? I am now thinking to heck with the garden I will cover it with sod, but will the sod even take?
Thanks

Answer
Hi, If the guy you got it from will tell you where it came from, it might give you a clue as to what the problem might be.  Otherwise, there's no way of telling without a complete soil analysis.  I would first check the pH to see if it's way off.  I'd like to see it around 6.5 for turf.  If the pH is right and you can't get grass seed to germinate, then we assume some toxin (herbicide, petroleum, etc) is in the soil.  Before investing in sod, I'd keep sowing annual ryegrass every 3-4 months to see if rain and air will "fix" the problem.  Once you get grass to grow from seed, then I'd feel better about sod.
The presence of asphalt makes me think it may be soil from road or parking lot renovation.  The soil under old asphalt often has petroleum by-products in it and the soil is usually "sour" from staying wet, compacted and with no air movement to support microbes in the soil.  Once the soil has been exposed to air, organic matter added and the pH adjusted it may start to show some signs of life.  Jim