Turfing over old lawn
Discussion
This one is slightly related to a previous grass seed thread. Although I've not had great success with seeding & feeding, instead I just fancy turfing over the whole of my lawn instead.
Does this mean I have to dig over and remove the current grass? I was thinking of mowing the mangy patch really low then raking hard and forking to break up the surface a bit, but essentially there will be some grass (and moss)remaining.
Is this a bad idea or should I dig the old grass up, lay topsoil, then new turf? Obviously this would be the best, but I don't have the desire, time or money to do all this.
Does this mean I have to dig over and remove the current grass? I was thinking of mowing the mangy patch really low then raking hard and forking to break up the surface a bit, but essentially there will be some grass (and moss)remaining.
Is this a bad idea or should I dig the old grass up, lay topsoil, then new turf? Obviously this would be the best, but I don't have the desire, time or money to do all this.
A good lawn is fairly high maintenance, so if you re-turf but don't have the time or inclination to look after your new lawn, it will soon look just like your old one.
Healthy grass is tough stuff, I would suggest you feed your existing grass with a high nitrogen feed, be very cautious of "weed & feed" you could end up with a big black patch where the grass used to be.
This will encourage strong healthy growth to your existing grass & it will gradually take over from the moss etc.
It will take a couple of seasons though.
It is by far the cheapest & easiest option & you will need to feed every 6 weeks or so & water in the summer (water barrels or hose pipe if there's no ban)
Healthy grass is tough stuff, I would suggest you feed your existing grass with a high nitrogen feed, be very cautious of "weed & feed" you could end up with a big black patch where the grass used to be.
This will encourage strong healthy growth to your existing grass & it will gradually take over from the moss etc.
It will take a couple of seasons though.
It is by far the cheapest & easiest option & you will need to feed every 6 weeks or so & water in the summer (water barrels or hose pipe if there's no ban)
I know people who have had excellent results using http://www.greenthumb.co.uk/, worked out cheaper than re turfIng.
One way is to dig up the old truf and relay it upside down.
ChrisnChris said:
I would suggest you feed your existing grass with a high nitrogen feed, be very cautious of "weed & feed" you could end up with a big black patch where the grass used to be.
Reading the instructions helps to stop this Perhaps not obvious enough... I used to write instructions for lawncare products. The rule of thumb was to think of the most stupid person we knew, then multiply it by ten. And people would still cock it up.
The agrochemical division reckoned their customers came in two groups: those that used half the dose to save money, and those that use twice as much 'to make sure'.
The agrochemical division reckoned their customers came in two groups: those that used half the dose to save money, and those that use twice as much 'to make sure'.
prand said:
Is this a bad idea or should I dig the old grass up, lay topsoil, then new turf? Obviously this would be the best, but I don't have the desire, time or money to do all this.
So don't bother then, it will end up as s
te as what you have if you don't do it properly. You don't necessarily need new topsoil though.Simpo Two said:
Perhaps not obvious enough... I used to write instructions for lawncare products. The rule of thumb was to think of the most stupid person we knew, then multiply it by ten. And people would still cock it up.
The agrochemical division reckoned their customers came in two groups: those that used half the dose to save money, and those that use twice as much 'to make sure'.
I think that's why I included the words "be very cautious"The agrochemical division reckoned their customers came in two groups: those that used half the dose to save money, and those that use twice as much 'to make sure'.
I guess you missed that. Perhaps that puts you in the same camp as those who don't read instructions
Shaolin said:
So don't bother then, it will end up as ste as what you have if you don't do it properly. You don't necessarily need new topsoil though.
Ok, perhaps I was being overflippant....te as what you have if you don't do it properly. You don't necessarily need new topsoil though.In my previous house - where I lived for 5 years, I had a nice lawn. I used to give it some basic feed treatment, raking, forking a few times a year and mowed regularly. It rewarded me by being a nice patch of green grass.
I've actually put more effort and money in feed, seed and raking/forking into the new garden - over two growing seasons yet its condition has worsened. I whoudl have solved some of the problem by having an overhanging tree liopped. But I want to start again, not hang around for seed to establish itself with a nice new turfed (only talking about a patch 20x20ft) area which I promise to the lawn nazis to look after and treat nicely.
So what I'm really after is opinion whether I can lay directly onto existing lawn or should it all be dug over completely?
prand said:
(only talking about a patch 20x20ft) area which I promise to the lawn nazis to look after and treat nicely.
Hire a rotovator for a day, low setting just to break up the surface,tread down, rake over, lay turf. Lots of water, feed every 6 weeks or so.Someone else will be along any minute to add something or criticise.
ChrisnChris said:
I think that's why I included the words "be very cautious"
I guess you missed that. Perhaps that puts you in the same camp as those who don't read instructions
By adding a I guess you missed that. Perhaps that puts you in the same camp as those who don't read instructions
, which I always take personally, it implied that you had burnt your lawn by failing to read the instructions.Simpo Two said:
By adding a , which I always take personally, it implied that you had burnt your lawn by failing to read the instructions.
It didn't imply anything of the sort. , which I always take personally, it implied that you had burnt your lawn by failing to read the instructions.It implied that reading instructions is obviously a necessity
In light of what you have just posted I can only assume that your next post was directed at me.
Simpo Two said:
Perhaps not obvious enough... I used to write instructions for lawncare products. The rule of thumb was to think of the most stupid person we knew, then multiply it by ten. And people would still cock it up.
Not only do I take that in the personal manner in which it was intended, I also find it quite offensiveChrisnChris said:
Hire a rotovator for a day, low setting just to break up the surface,tread down, rake over, lay turf. Lots of water, feed every 6 weeks or so.
Someone else will be along any minute to add something or criticise.
That could well be an option. My Father-in-Law used a turf digger which was an amazing contraption which took the top 3 inches off in tidy strips which he used elsewhere in the garden when he put a patio down. I wouldn't want to to this as teh grass is not worth keeping but a rotovator might be a good idea.Someone else will be along any minute to add something or criticise.
prand said:
So what I'm really after is opinion whether I can lay directly onto existing lawn or should it all be dug over completely?
Hire a rotovator like someone else said, dig up and get rid of the existing lawn, rake it all up and remove it. Spread a slow-release organic granular fertiliser on it when it's bare, water or allow the rain to wash it in. Lay turf.If you lay good turf on bad, the bad will rot due to grass-eating fungi - you can see where this is going can't you?
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