Turf it or seed it?

[Plugus_Maximus]

Okay firstly I'm over the moon I've found this forum. I love forums and have been hunting for a good DIY one for ages. So here is my first of many posts (and replies)!

I've stripped back the garden (almost) to bare earth as it was a complete overgrown mess. I now have a blank canvas and at some point I will want to have a patio built but I don't currently have the funds due to saving for my wedding! So in the interim I plan to create a lawn over the whole garden. The area I wish to cover is about 4m X 12m.

What are the pros/cons of turf versus seeding? I am assuming turfing is quicker but more expensive. If I go for turf what's the most place to source it cheaply? If I go for seed how long can i realistically expect to wait until I can say "I've got a lawn"?

I'd appreciate any tips/advice,

K

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

Seed is soooo much cheaper, plus you know what you're getting. Satisfying watching it grow, (I grew that I did!).

If you are on a budget and you intend to alter the garden in the future, at least you won't be thinking 'I paid £100 for that last year' when you dig it up!

But seeing as you are getting married, just face up to the fact 'er indoors wants a pweetty garden to sit in this summer with friends drinking Lambrini and lemonade...

Instant transformation it is then!

Bl**dy groundforce!!!! 'well, Alan Titchmarsh can do it in two days'



Congrats BTW! and welcome!

 

[Plugus_Maximus]

Ta very much indeed!

I'vereally no idea how much turf would cost at present. I was going to check the local garden center but I don't know if that is the best place or if there are turf specialists.

As you predicted I'm thinking seed, she's thinking turf

K

 

[masona]

If you're thinking of using seed, use 1 part of each, sharp sand, top soil and peat all mix up and laid on top of your seed. (this is also very good for flower bedding).

Sharp sand does the draining, top soil make the seeds grow and peat hold the moisture. And finally the birds cannot nick the seeds !

I did my mixing up in the cement mixer !

 

[IanDB]

I agree with mmj on this one. I turfed my back garden but I've used grass seed to patch various areas since and it's always worked. The only problem with seed is that you need to do something to keep the birds off!

Turf is good if you want an instant result but seed is cheaper and more satisfying. I think it would cost you about £100 or so to do your area. Specialist turf suppliers are cheaper than garden centres generally.

 

[lewyboy]

OK, did you consider a night-time visit to your local bowling green with a big spade and a wheelbarrow?
If not, I'd definitely go for seeds, it's flippin' brilliant when it grows and you can say that you 'did that'.

 

[staylong]

Have a good look on the web and you will be suprised just how many varieties of grass seed there is. Some might be better suited to your needs and conditions.

Here is a decent site
click me

Here is a grass seed calculator click me

 

[discoduck]

Still on the subject of Grass, what preparation do I need to do once the old uneven lawn has been removed .
I am hiring a grass removal machine, and the ground is going to be fairly uneven, will I be able to scrape the high spots to fill the low spots
your advice would be appreciated

P.s When I lay the new turfs will they need rolling ?

thank you.

 

[Ratim]

I laid a lawn a few times and the best bit of advice I can give you is take your time over getting the ground flat before laying the turf. It's avery tedious task but the more time you spend on getting that bit right the more you will benefit from a flatter lawn later.

I made sure the ground was well watered before laying the lawn to help the turf and then plenty of watering after it was laid. I didn't roller it afterwards but maybe others do.

 

[IanDB]

You shouldn't roll new turf as it compacts it too much. Tamp it down with a piece of wood to get it even.

It normally takes about a month before the roots get the turf to take into the ground. You can check by trying to pull up a corner (if you really want to!)

 

[dave_p_r_b]

hi,

(sorry to jump in and ask a question on a similar topic - but it seems a bit crazy to start a new-but-similar thread.)

I have removed a bush/tree with many hours of sweat and tears. I want to seed the area, but fear the ground is too soft (-now!). I have added a mix of sharp sand + compost as a top layer... ( I am an utter amateur and this was a guess).

My question is this... how can i ENSURE that the ground is hard. Is the only definitive technique to hire a roller?

( I speak from experience. i have done this before, and the soil is still soft where the grass is. I cannot see any moss)

thanks,
Dave.

 

[IanDB]

If the area isn't too large I'd suggest stomping on it with your boots for a but and then leave it a week before doing it again. The ground shouldn't be too hard as it benefits from having a bit of oxygen in the soil.

I don't know why you should still have soft ground with your other bit unless you have got some fibrous material underneath (e.g. old roots). Over time it should compact of its own accord.

Remember to keep it well watered until the grass has taken.

 

[madmattman]

once you have leveled the ground out, you will need to dig the ground over like preparing a flower bed and rake over leveling it even more and removing large stones, bits of root etc. Then you'll need to tread over the area really pussing down firmly with your feet to get rid of any trapped air bubbles. rake over again and add any fertaliser if you want to.

Always remember not to stand on the turf for at least 2 weeks

 

[mildmanneredjanitor]

pussing

Uuuuurrrghhh!

 

[Dewy]

My tip for growing from seed which also keeps the birds and cats off is something my father did when we moved to a new house.
He used something that was new (at that time) polythene sheeting.
He stuck posts around the lawn with a few sticks in the lawn itself over which he laid a large polythene sheet.
This physically kept the birds and cats off and acted as a greenhouse.
In those days, mid 50s, polythene was unknown in it's present day use.
Paper bags and carrier bags were the usual packaging materials.
He got the polythene sheeting from work where large items had arrived from America which had started packing in polythene by that time.
Everyone who saw the lawn growing in such a short time wanted to know where they could get such sheeting.
They couldn't because it was not generally availible here.
Once the grass had a good start the sheet and sticks were removed and the stick hole filled and pressed own with a little grass seed in the top ¼" of soil.