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New turf replacing paving

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Richard (U15186617) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Hi,
  
  I've recently pulled up some paving in my garden, with the intention of laying some turf, on an area approx. 14sq metres.
  The removal of the paving has left a very hard surface of soil and stringy weeds flattened onto the surface (like red snakes).
  
  I have read so much about laying turf, that I wish to know what is best for my situation.
  
  Do I need to rotavate and roll the area? This seems like overkill.
  Can I just lay 10cm topsoil on top of the current hard surface of soil, without digging? Would that suffice? Or should I dig first?
  Do I need to remove all the weeds beforehand, or can I assume they are dead? (The slabs had been down for well over 10 years).
  
  I've also read that once the turf is down, to keep kids off it for a year until it settles. That's exactly what I'm laying it for, ready for the red hot summer...
  
  Sorry for all the questions, I thought this would be so simple!
  
  Many thanks,
  Richard

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  I would dig / fork it, rotovate it, whatever, to break it up. If you don't then you are likely to have drainage problems, with the lawn drying out more quickly in summer, and getting waterlogged in winter, resulting in moss.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Goldilocks (U2169760) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  ...and as you suggest, you don't need to treat the weeds, and you should keep the kids off until it has settled in, which will take a few months.
  
  You will also need to make sure it is kept well watered through the summer. Turf will shrink, leaving gaps between runs, and you will need to fill this in with soil and keep it moist or it will dry out and die at the edges. It will really only get its roots fully down into the soil in autumn, and you should apply an autumn lawnfeed then (different from spring lawnfeed), to encourage root development

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Richard (U15186617) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Thanks Goldilocks.
  Would you lay some topsoil after the digging/rotovating?
  

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Tend to agree-it is all in the preparation and if you get it right you only need to do it once.
  
  Prepare the soil by digging or rotovating then rake to remove any large stones, then firm by treading- never use a roller-then rake again to make sure all is level, then probably rake again
  
  When it is level and the ground has a good surface for the turf to bed down in then away you go-you will need to keep off it for a few weeks and keep well watered
  
  Good luck
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Richard (U15186617) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Thank you thedogcody.
  
  Is it best to use topsoil, or would freshly dug soil be okay?
  
  Richard

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Bringing in top soil is expensive-depending on the condition of your soil i.e not claggy , I honestly would not spend the money-use a sprinkling of a general fertilizer like growmore before laying the turf is probably a good idea.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Richard (U15186617) on Thursday, 15th March 2012

  Thank you again :¬)

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