Soil Ameliorants
- Before any planting takes place, a suitable soil ameliorant can be incorporated into the top soil.
- Spread the soil ameliorant evenly onto the soil surface to be enriched, to the depth as set out in the Contract Bill of Quantities, usually not less than 50mm.
- Either mechanically, using a rotovator, or by hand digging, thoroughly incorporate the soil ameliorant into the top 150mm of soil.
- The soil is now ready for planting or seeding.
How to Accurately Check the Correct Incorporation of Soil Ameliorant
- Precise details of the product name, specification, quantity and incorporation rate and method should be clearly stated in the Bill of Quantities.
- If possible, check that the soil ameliorant has been laid at the specified depth, on the soil surface, before incorporation.
- Carefully excavate a number of sample test pits throughout the 'improved area' after incorporation has taken place.
- Lay a straight edge of at least 1 metre long, across the hole and carefully measure the vertical distance between the bottom of the straight edge and the lowest depth of the incorporated material.
- Compare the measurements taken on site, with the required incorporation depth, as stated in the Contract Bill of Quantities.
- If there are any doubts as to the correct amount of soil ameliorant used and incorporated, obtain from the contractor or product supplier, copies of all delivery notes for the product delivered to site.
Remember, any shortfall will not be to the benefit of the plants, your scheme or the client, only to the contractor.