Top Soil

[MSingh]

Excuse my ignorance Guys & Girls but how i am soon to be Landscaping my new House here in thailand & i'm after some advice with regards to Top Soil underneath the grass i plan to have..

I will be bedding in " normal " Grass & not the horrible Malaysian Grass that we see & would like to know how much Top Soil is generally required to apply to a flat surface before i bed in my actual Grass ??

I don't want to cut any corners or save money as i want the Grass to be as good & live as long as possible, i'm just a little unsure if the general depth of the Top Soil should increase or decrease than it would normally be in a European Climate, as we're in a Sub Tropical Climate..

Any advice or pointers would be much appreciated.

[Beardog]

Depending where your at Din Dam (dark topsoil will come in several shades. I live in Bang Sare (20 kilo's from Pattaya)& found medium brown excellent top soil(Din Dam) I refused 2 trucks from other carriers- one was sea sand mixed with clay 1600 baht a short truck load 10 meters cubed & the other loaded with rocks-too much work. Then found a man with sweet soil for 900 baht for a 13 meter cubed load . Our lawn is the best around this neck of the woods. We weeded everything down to the nub before laying the sod down. This will keep your weeds down to a bare minimum & is way worth being anal in the begging as weeding is a pain in the arse!. If you are anywhere around the Pattaya area PM me & I will give you the number of our driver.

The best lawn will be with the best topsoil you can get.We used 3" or7cm. you can get away with 5cm-2" I am sure.

There are basically 2 types of turf used here in LOS. The Japanese type(ya yippun)handles full sun well.

or a spinoff type thinner blades (used in Bang Sare area)

& Malaysian(yaa malaysain) turf used mainly for shade & some sun.

From other posts I would say to avoid the golf course types Bermuda....

Too difficult & finicky to grow in Thailand. Although we have been advised to use a bit of fertilizer- we have not & our lawn is a nice thick carpet of consistent & healthy turf. Got to mow once a week to keep it green.

We gave our grass copious amounts of water 2once in the morning & once in the night for 2 weeks & then a decent soak daily.None needed if raining.

The poster cheshiremusicman has a post active in the do it yourself forum & helped me to have a successfully lawn. He is really a grand master & I am sure he would be willing to give you any info along your journey.

Good luck & if you are in the Pattaya - Sattahib areas & want any info on our driver & dirt let me know.

Cheers

Beardog

[MSingh]

Thanks for the tips Beardog, much appreciated but unfortunately i'm on Samui & not near Pattaya.

[MSingh]

Can't seem to find the Thread you mentioned though Beardog in the DIY Housing Forum, any chance of you giving me a Pointer ??