Unturfed garden over winter - will it be a nightmare when it rains/snows?

[nikki1978]

So we are having an extension built this winter so any landscaping work to the garden needs to be done now otherwise we will be hauling tons of trees, soil and hardcore through a new kitchen.

We were going to returf in Oct but then discovered we need to add a soakaway half way down the garden plus we realised how much mess the builders will make!

So out garden will basically be one big expanse of soil from now till next March/April.

Is this an issue re drainage etc?

[nikki1978]

Bump

[Ferguson]

Is ground flat, or on a slope, and are you doing the soak-away now?

Presumably you don't have any side access? (we are fortunate, as we do) What's at the bottom end, and each side? Presumably more houses and gardens?

Is the ground dug/previously cultivated, or is it compacted? Best for it to be dug over, I would have thought.

Saw a TV farming documentary, showing greatly reduced damage to soil from heavy winter rains, by covering the area with STRAW. Slow-motion filming of heavy rain on bare soil showed particles of soil being dislodged, and washed away. Similar rain on the straw had little impact, as the straw absorbed the speed of the rain. (Not something I had ever considered before, but the difference was very great.)

But maybe straw isn't an easy option for you.

[nikki1978]

No side access and no access from back.

The ground is flat and won't be compacted as we are using a digger to remove all the concrete etc from the large rockery in the middle.

What kind of damage will heavy winter rain do?

[nikki1978]

Sorry what's a green manure?

[Ferguson]

It just beats bare soil down, can damage its structure, but not the end of the world. I was quoting an example from a farmer, whose field was on a slope, and his soil washed away.

Here green manure:

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=373