J Cassidy

Hi Thom,
Thanks for your reply.  Not organic except in select raised beds which will come along later.  Not opposed to standard fertilizers and salt/soap based weed killers (prefer smothering initially).

Located in SE michigan.  Short term doughts possible but not that common.  Seasonal heavy rains but nothing crazy.  I'm considering adding irrigation as we're on a well.

regards,
John

Hi everyone. First time poster here. We are building a conventional style home on a half-acre of sloped land that has primarily exposed clay with zero topsoil.  It’s our first exposure to clay - wow!  Hard as a rock when dry and sticky/clumpy on your feet when wet.  I have zero background with soil improvement.

We have $ budgeted to bring in topsoil (4 inches ?).  However I’m concerned it will all end up at the bottom of our slopped lot.  What are your suggestions to do prior to topsoil ?  Instead of topsoil even ?  How to retain the topsoil until grass takes hold ?

Basically, we’d appreciate any suggestions you have on how to proceed.  The end goal is to have a healthy grass covering on most of this land.  We will also have a few garden and flower beds scattered around but they will come later.

Thanks for your help.