Depth for soil / replace chalk

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Hi,

We are slowly progressing with our garden project, and needed some much required advice in regards to the amount of soil there should be ontop of chalk, for a good future proof gardening friendly base.

In the process of landscaping we took the ground down a considerable amount in order to make it more level throughout. All of that excess has been taken away.

We have some bit more to go, maybe around 30cm in depth.
The problem is just under the 30cm, we hit chalk ground.

Hence we are wondering if we scrape the remaining soil to the side and dig out the chalk, how much should we take out?
How much soil should there really be above the chalk for us to be able to grow plants trees in the future should we need to.

Your help would be most appreacited

Thanks in advance.
 
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Chalk is porous so should give you decent drainage. The downside is it may be too good at drainage causing the soil to dry out quickly.
I think you should consult some professional gardening sites to find the best type of soil/substrata conditions. They may advise adding some clay based soil to help retain some of the moisture. I think for most things minimum soil depth should be around 8" (200mm).
Sorry I can't be of more help.
 
Thanks Conny

I've been advised by a friend that there should be some subsoil avove the chalk and then top soil.

Unfortunately he wasn't sure about how much of each there should be though...
 
Hi just wondering if anyone is able to advise om this please? Would be most appreacited
 
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With that sort of drainage you could grow Champagne grapes!

On topic, as much topsoil as humanly possible. As roots don't grow in sub-soil, so your plants' height & health will be limited directly by the depth of top soil available.
 
With that sort of drainage you could grow Champagne grapes!

On topic, as much topsoil as humanly possible. As roots don't grow in sub-soil, so your plants' height & health will be limited directly by the depth of top soil available.

how much top soil should i be allowing for?

If i know how much top soil there should be, i will excavate the chalk beneath to accommodate accordingly
 
Depends on what you want to plant! Couple of feet minimum imho. That being said less might be ok for just turf.
 

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