Paving Bricks to Lawn

[Lofty93]

Hi all,

My back garden is all paving bricks from the previous owner, but I want to remove all these and law down grass. What is the best route to achieve this? Underneath the paving bricks is sand, so not sure what I will need to do in order to make progress!

Sorry for lack of information, never done this before so unsure what to do!

Thanks for your time!
Ryan

 

[cwhaley]

I did a very similar thing when extending my lawn and removing part of a patio laid onto sand. I removed the top layer of sand, dug in lots of new top soil (removing all large stones) mixed with fish, blood and bone (from Wilko), leveled, then topped up with soil, leveled again and then laid the rolls of turf.

Not sure how much you know already but when laying the turf, it's important to butt the edges of each roll up to each other, walk on boards when flattening down and make sure it's well-watered for the first 6-8 weeks. Then when laid avoid walking on fit for 6-8 weeks again. You can check how well it is rooting to the ground after 3 or 4 weeks by gently pulling up a few of the corners.

Grass is in effect a weed it is very resilient and grows quickly. Give it a good start with decent soil and the right nutrients and it will establish itself.

 

[sodthisforfun]

I have just started this myself now. Last weekend we got rid of a huge shed and the thick concrete base, now working on the slabs and sand. There is no other way than flipping hard labour! Slabs and sand have to go, as does all the chunks of stones/hardcore often in and under the sand. Stones have a habit of making their way to the surface every winter, so the more you get rid of, the easier your life will be later and the nicer your lawn will look.

Oh, and you'll need a skip. As we've just found out from our local dump, they only accept 6 bags of hardcore a month. (no wonder people fly-tip). It seems that most councils have become very strict on this.

Imixed with fish, blood and bone

Top tip! I'd never had thought about fertilizer. Thanks.

 

[cwhaley]

The sand doesn't have to completely go. I kept quite a bit in there has it helps with drainage.

 

[sodthisforfun]

Yeah, I can't get all of it up, but as much as I can. I don't like sand because while it aids drainage in more clay soils, it also doesn't hold water or nutrients. I've not got clay, so am trying to get rid of as much as possible.

 

[cwhaley]

I have a lot of clay in mine so I could get away with it, you are right about it not holding nutrients well.

Guess it's just a question of how much you're prepared to work at it. This recent whether has been excellent for it as it's not too hot to work in and not too wet to make loads of mud.

 

[Nige F]

Oh, and you'll need a skip. As we've just found out from our local dump, they only accept 6 bags of hardcore a month. (no wonder people fly-tip). It seems that most councils have become very strict on this.

.

£4 a bag at ours ! and we're surrounded by countryside for the earth to go, plus farmers to take hardcore

 

[sodthisforfun]

£4 a bag at ours ! and we're surrounded by countryside for the earth to go, plus farmers to take hardcore

oooh, you lucky beggar!!
£180 for a mini skip at ours.. Argh!

 

[Lofty93]

I did a very similar thing when extending my lawn and removing part of a patio laid onto sand. I removed the top layer of sand, dug in lots of new top soil (removing all large stones) mixed with fish, blood and bone (from Wilko), leveled, then topped up with soil, leveled again and then laid the rolls of turf.

Not sure how much you know already but when laying the turf, it's important to butt the edges of each roll up to each other, walk on boards when flattening down and make sure it's well-watered for the first 6-8 weeks. Then when laid avoid walking on fit for 6-8 weeks again. You can check how well it is rooting to the ground after 3 or 4 weeks by gently pulling up a few of the corners.

Grass is in effect a weed it is very resilient and grows quickly. Give it a good start with decent soil and the right nutrients and it will establish itself.

Thank you, will give this a go!

 

[lostinthelight]

Oh, and you'll need a skip. As we've just found out from our local dump, they only accept 6 bags of hardcore a month. (no wonder people fly-tip). It seems that most councils have become very strict on this.

.

Always worth an ad on a local freecycle group, theres usually someone looking for hardcore and sand

 

[conny]

Don't forget when you lay the turf to stagger the joints like brickwork.

 

[cwhaley]

Don't forget when you lay the turf to stagger the joints like brickwork.

Good one forgot to mention that!

 

[sodthisforfun]

Hey, does anyone know how long I have to wait until rolls of turf is around in the shops? Nearly done all the prep in the garden, and can't buy any other than online. Don't want to pay £40 delivery for the small amount I need.

Cheers

 

[conny]

Probably not for a few weeks when the weather should be more likely to stay warmer with little risk of frost spells.
Grass won't grow if the temperature is below 8 degrees I think. If you managed to get some now and put it down it may well die off before taking root.

 

[sodthisforfun]

Cheers Conny. I always thought that the best time to lay turf was from the Autumn to the Spring? But the lack of it in the DIY stores must means that I am alone in that thinking!