Sod Over Gravel??

John T. – posted 24 May 2004 13:52

I recently tore out 850sf of concrete backyard and am planning to sod with KY bluegrass. After completing tear out of the concrete, I’m left with gravel underlay (pea to peach pit size rock that is about 3 inches deep – picture a gravel driveway only it’s my whole backyard. If I lay down topsoil over the gravel can I put down sod without digging out the gravel – and if so, what would be the recommended depth of topsoil? Current drainage is fine – in fact the gravel covered portions drain far better than the areas where I dug out gravel to the bare earth. Thanks in advance for any help!

cohiba – posted 24 May 2004 14:00

I have seen where people have put down 4″ of good topsoil over crap and got OK results. Thank goodness your drainage is good. I would not settle for less than 6″ of nice topsoil. Don’t forget to test to see what you are putting down, it could save a ton of headaches for years to come.

Good Luck…….

jrunregistered posted 25 May 2004 06:26

This may have very little to do with your situation but here in central Florida, due to a code enforcement-right of way issue, I had to remove 600 sq. ft. of limestone that had been there for several years and sod over it. I didn’t get nearly all of it and I really didn’t care to. I just wanted the city to go away so I threw St Augustine over it. Almost a year later it’s one of the better parts of my front yard, though it will dry out before any other area.

John T.unregistered posted 25 May 2004 14:29

Thanks Cohiba and JR for the advice and feedback. This will definitely save my back some unnecessary pain.