Turf Preparation

[MidsTW]

I apologise for the number of threads I have started in this group.

Next Fri/Sat I am laying turf ... It is currently turned over and raked. Tomorrow my mother is helping remove any stones/twigs. A couple of weeds popped up recently so I sprayed some of them with resolva. I will dig them up tomorrow too. Do I need to worry about the soil holding the weedkiller?

I am getting 2000L of top soil on third to put down before the turf to fill any holes and to help the turf settle in.

Do I need to do anything else to prepare?

 

[johnlewis]

just laid 200sqm of rowlawn turf , took me two days

22 tonne of topsoil

rake out the soil evenly i used an old wooden pallet with some rope tied to it and dragged it round the garden to level it off. remove any stone`s on the surface

pull out the weeds by hand , mix lawn establishment fertilizer in to the soil and rake with a fine rake just before you lay it.

 

[MidsTW]

Thanks John,

Blimey! That's a lot of topsoil most of the ground is at the level I want... It a a sloping lawn so I used a rake to level then a large rake to make even better. There is only a small area where I need a few inches of soil so I am hoping 2 bulk bags will be enough. Most of the soil is pretty good... Not like clay! So the top soil won't go everywhere if that makes sense?

 

[johnlewis]

Thanks John,

Blimey! That's a lot of topsoil most of the ground is at the level I want... It a a sloping lawn so I used a rake to level then a large rake to make even better. There is only a small area where I need a few inches of soil so I am hoping 2 bulk bags will be enough. Most of the soil is pretty good... Not like clay! So the top soil won't go everywhere if that makes sense?

yep took me over a week to prepare the ground by hand

ground was all clay so no soil at all

it does not go that far once you start raking it out

 

[MidsTW]

Cheers John.

I did a bit more levelling earlier, removed big lumps and stones etc. I also added some fertiliser. This is how the 2 areas look.

View media item 82967
View media item 82966
Dobi need to be worried that I sprayed some weedkiller at the weekend affecting my turf?

 

[r896neo]

as long as it wasn't a specific path weedkiller which may have a residual effect it will be fine.

It should say on the label.

 

[johnlewis]

Cheers John.

I did a bit more levelling earlier, removed big lumps and stones etc. I also added some fertiliser. This is how the 2 areas look.

View media item 82967
View media item 82966
Dobi need to be worried that I sprayed some weedkiller at the weekend affecting my turf?

looks level enough for turf as long has there are no hollow bits

what are doing with the steps

 

[MidsTW]

It was resolva weedkiller which is biodegradeable. It does say it would kill lawn but I think that's if you spray the leaf....

I am going to slab the steps.. need some type 1 first though

 

[MidsTW]

Top soil was delivered today... Used half the bag leveling this area out.... Looking better. Hopefully it will rain to help it settle. A bit more needed to make the edges flush before the turf goes on!

View media item 83006

 

[MidsTW]

R896neo, it says it ia biodegradable and can be replanted once dry so hopefully the new turf should be fine

 

[MidsTW]

Just thought I would add some final pictures for completeness. It is over 3 weeks since it was laid. It has had 2 cuts on highest setting.... Weather has been good for turf growth. A few mushrooms popping up which should die away soon.

Let me know your thoughts

View media item 84223
View media item 84222