Will re-turfing prevent 'old weeds' from resurfacing ?

[Gary_M]

Hi,

I recently bought a property that had been vacant for about 7 years - as you can imagine, the garden was ever-so-slightly overgrown

I have now managed to get it looking 'reasonably' good. The grass area (which is about 21m x 12m) has a lot of 'stubborn weeds (dandelions) and remnants of bramble bushes throughout it. I am planning to dig the garden over, and returf it. Can anyone please tell me if a good 'turning over' of the soil, then re-turf on top would be likely to keep the weeds and bramble bushes from growing through the new turf, or would I need to get rid of as much weeds as possible?

Many thanks,

Gary

 

[2scoops0406]

No, use a non residual glyco-phosphate weedkiller, leave a few weeks, and then re turf.

 

[Gary_M]

Thanks Eddie

 

[sidecar_jon]

when i was sorting out a bramble infested garden, a friend told me of his solution. Keep pulling up every bramble you see emerging... then fifteen years latter you move and its someone else's problem... i agree with above, use weed killer lol

 

[Gary_M]

Nice one Jon

I did have a go at pulling some of the brambles out - I couldn't believe how long their roots extended

 

[sidecar_jon]

yes lol... you pull one up and its travelled yards under the grass and one little bit left is a new plant, its like you've just pruned it to add vigour.

 

[Thermo]

definetly a systemic weedkiller first. Brambles are very very resiliant and the only real way is to pull them out. Remove any other weeds you come across as you prepare the soil, just because they are dead doesnt mean the seeds are! By turning over the soil you will bring other seeds to the surface, however a good quality turf (not the crap from q & b or homebase) thats reguarly mown will help to keep away the smaller weeds