Raising the grade

[elginfarm]

Hey everybody,
My property has some low spots that have remained wet with all the snow and rain we have had this past winter and early spring. We plan on building in the next year or so and I would like to raise the grade in these low areas. I have pretty good topsoil over a sandy base and am thinking about stripping off the top six inches and then adding some clean dirt fill (It's cheaper than black dirt because it is not pulverized).

Should I use a box blade to strip off the top soil, place the fill, and then replace the topsoil, or, disc the low spots, add the fill, and then disc it in with the topsoil? These areas will eventually be horse pastures and I don't want them to turn into muddy quagmires during wet times, even though I will rotate the turn out areas.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Eldon

 

[ScottK]

I would remove all of the topsoil, place your fill, and then put the topsoil back. If your topsoil is thin, then mix it a bit with the fill, but if it's deep, then don't worry about it unless you're going to plant trees or something big.

 

[Egon]

If you want to save the topsoil remove and stockpile it with the bucket. The bucket works well for laying in the new fill dirt too. leave the filled area just a little higher than the surrounding land as it may settle a bit. Use the box blade to level things out before replacing the topsoil. The replaced topsoil may need a little disking or tilling and leveling of course. Seed to grass suitable to your area.

[Turn the stockpiled topsoil pile a few times to help speed the breakdown of the the sod or to just help separate the roots from the dirt as the clumps don't spread well.]

 

[wolfe1]

Hey Eldon - I did the same thing a few years ago. Filled in some low spots with clean fill and topped with top soil. In my rush to try to get something done I just moved my wet spots - make sure you have some place for the water to drain or you will end up doing 2 times like me. Not fun. Are you by chance in the Elgin area? I am in St Charles - just down the road. Good luck with your project.

 

[elginfarm]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably strip off some of the topsoil. Place the fill and then disc it in with some of the topsoil and then place the rest of the topsoil and re-grade the area.
Thanks for the replies.