26-11-16, 07:20 PM
(26-11-16, 03:21 PM)mtread link Wrote: All a rotovator will do is bring the solid clay subsoil to the surface, and you'll be even worse off!
There's not many rotavators that go down so far as to bring the subsoil up. Besides they are usually adjustable for working depth.
Grass nearly always grows poorly on clay soil. That's part of the reason, along with the necessary compaction, why maintaining cricket pitches to a decent standard is so labour intensive (they are composed of loams containing up to around 30% clay).
It sounds like you are already doing all the correct preparation work.
One thing to be cautious of if you do import old soil into your garden is that it doesn't contain anything unwanted such as Japanese Knotweed root. That's how this weed spreads about. Just a small bit can set it off into growth again and it's definitely NOT something you want in your garden!.