I have a retaing wall and patio job to do in April, the customer also wants turf laid. As far as i know you have to rotivate the soil and mix with sand so the turf takes, is this true, how much sand? Any tips, potential pitfalls? I have no experience of this so any help whatsoever is appreciated.
Turfing
- Thread starter ChapiTheBricky
- Start date
Sponsored Links
Ground Preparation
Proper ground preparation is essential for the establishment and future well-being of your new lawn. Inadequately-prepared ground will never produce the best results.
Existing turf should be removed by slicing beneath the grass with a spade. For larger areas, consider hiring in a purpose-designed turf cutter.
The soil needs to be turned to a depth of 15cm using a spade or powered cultivator. Clear the area of stones, weeds, old turf and any other debris
Raking
The ground should be raked to produce a smooth, level surface. Lightly roll or tread the surface by foot to reveal any soft patches which can then be raked level. This process should continue until the whole area is evenly firm and level. The surface should be firm but not compacted. You are now ready to lay the turf.
Turf must be laid as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of delivery. In hot weather, keep turf in the shade. It is advisable to prepare the ground in advance of the turf arriving to avoid hold-ups for any reason.
Laying the turf
Never walk directly on the prepared soil or newly-laid turf. Use boards or planks to work from and walk on.
Start by unrolling one strip of turf around the perimeter of the lawn. Avoid using small pieces at the edges as these can dry out and perish. Ensure that the underside of the new turf has full contact with the soil below.
Lay the next strip across the longest straight run and continue to work across the lawn, strip by strip, producing a pattern similar to brickwork. Butt adjoining edges and ends against each other, but avoid stretching the turf. Overlapping pieces and end of rows should be cut off with a sharp knife or half-moon lawn edger.
Watering
Between March and October, newly laid turf should be watered thoroughly within half an hour of installation. This watering should be repeated at least once a day until the roots are established. As a guide, at least two hours per day of constant watering is essential across the complete lawn area. The hotter, drier and windier the weather, the more water will be needed. Water immediately and profusely on any sight of the turf drying out e.g. gaps, lifting, browning or curling.
Feeding
As a rule of thumb, a balanced fertilizer containing similar levels of Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P) and Potash (K) should be applied every four to six weeks during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations with regard to the quantity, timing and method of applications. A policy of "little but often" will help maintain your lawn in peak condition.
Mowing
Resist the temptation to make the initial cut until your new lawn has rooted. This can be checked easily by lifting a corner to see if the roots are attached to the soil below.
For the first mowing, set the lawn mower to its highest setting to avoid stressing the grass. Mow regularly, each time removing no more than one-third of the grass height. When the lawn is fully established, the height of cut can be reduced gradually to an optimum height of between 15mm and 35mm. Take care to avoid scalping.
Laying Tips Overview
• Remove existing turf with a spade. If the area is large, hire someone with experience to remove if for you.
• Rake the ground until the surface is level. And remove rocks, garbage and other debris.
• Start in one corner and trod down the area by walking slowly with one foot in front of the other. If you find uneven areas, use a rake to level them. When you reach the end, turn around and repeat the process until the entire area has been covered.
• When the turf is delivered, store it in a shaded area until you are ready to lay it. For the best results, lay the turf within 24-hours of delivery.
Hope that helps
Andy
Proper ground preparation is essential for the establishment and future well-being of your new lawn. Inadequately-prepared ground will never produce the best results.
Existing turf should be removed by slicing beneath the grass with a spade. For larger areas, consider hiring in a purpose-designed turf cutter.
The soil needs to be turned to a depth of 15cm using a spade or powered cultivator. Clear the area of stones, weeds, old turf and any other debris
Raking
The ground should be raked to produce a smooth, level surface. Lightly roll or tread the surface by foot to reveal any soft patches which can then be raked level. This process should continue until the whole area is evenly firm and level. The surface should be firm but not compacted. You are now ready to lay the turf.
Turf must be laid as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of delivery. In hot weather, keep turf in the shade. It is advisable to prepare the ground in advance of the turf arriving to avoid hold-ups for any reason.
Laying the turf
Never walk directly on the prepared soil or newly-laid turf. Use boards or planks to work from and walk on.
Start by unrolling one strip of turf around the perimeter of the lawn. Avoid using small pieces at the edges as these can dry out and perish. Ensure that the underside of the new turf has full contact with the soil below.
Lay the next strip across the longest straight run and continue to work across the lawn, strip by strip, producing a pattern similar to brickwork. Butt adjoining edges and ends against each other, but avoid stretching the turf. Overlapping pieces and end of rows should be cut off with a sharp knife or half-moon lawn edger.
Watering
Between March and October, newly laid turf should be watered thoroughly within half an hour of installation. This watering should be repeated at least once a day until the roots are established. As a guide, at least two hours per day of constant watering is essential across the complete lawn area. The hotter, drier and windier the weather, the more water will be needed. Water immediately and profusely on any sight of the turf drying out e.g. gaps, lifting, browning or curling.
Feeding
As a rule of thumb, a balanced fertilizer containing similar levels of Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P) and Potash (K) should be applied every four to six weeks during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations with regard to the quantity, timing and method of applications. A policy of "little but often" will help maintain your lawn in peak condition.
Mowing
Resist the temptation to make the initial cut until your new lawn has rooted. This can be checked easily by lifting a corner to see if the roots are attached to the soil below.
For the first mowing, set the lawn mower to its highest setting to avoid stressing the grass. Mow regularly, each time removing no more than one-third of the grass height. When the lawn is fully established, the height of cut can be reduced gradually to an optimum height of between 15mm and 35mm. Take care to avoid scalping.
Laying Tips Overview
• Remove existing turf with a spade. If the area is large, hire someone with experience to remove if for you.
• Rake the ground until the surface is level. And remove rocks, garbage and other debris.
• Start in one corner and trod down the area by walking slowly with one foot in front of the other. If you find uneven areas, use a rake to level them. When you reach the end, turn around and repeat the process until the entire area has been covered.
• When the turf is delivered, store it in a shaded area until you are ready to lay it. For the best results, lay the turf within 24-hours of delivery.
Hope that helps
Andy
this is the kind of advice i like
Sponsored Links
DIYnot Local
Staff member
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local
