Re: anyone ever filled in a pool before

At 08:16 AM 4/25/2006, Maria G. wrote:
I started shoveling... and shoveling.... and shoveling... A friend came for a couple of days and helped but in the end I must have shoveled 19 tons myself. It took much of the summer
Reminds me of how I often answer the questions "how much [volume] is a cubic yard of soil?": I say "when it is delivered is it not nearly enough, half-way through moving it into its desired place in the garden, it is far more than you wanted!"

Sounds like a mere cubic yard would seem like nothing to Maria at this point!


Hi Laura! -

Fill soil is often suspect. If at all possible, try to actually see and handle the soil you will be getting - insist on it if you can. Also, be careful filling with rough broken concrete or other debris (often tempting) as this sometimes can settle drastically over time. This type of debris mixed with soil works much better (the soil settles in around it more easily). It is optimal to do some mechanical settling as you go when filling such a large and deep space, using machinery and perhaps water as well. Reserve the best soil for 'topping off' the fill - either soil from your own property (this is really the best) or some better quality soil than what you are filling with. Mix a portion of this top layer soil type into the top of the fill layer as well as adjacent topsoil around the sides of the fill area in order to prevent the problems that can come when two different soil types come in contact unmixed (often they can create a 'barrier' where water and roots cannot pass). Finally, plan to 'sheet compost' (3-8 inches of organic material, e.g. tree chippings or whatever is handy and free/cheap, along with the addition of organic nitrogen to jump start the decomposition process) the entire area for the first year in order to help the soil re-stratify into normal soil layers and boost the microbial activity of healthy soil.

See, its easy! ;-)
Gook luck and best wishes!
Seán O.

h o r t u l u s _ a p t u s - - - - - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara --- sean(at)gimcw.org --- www.hortulusaptus.com
1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.
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