Start laying turf on a straight edge at the furthest point to your access and lay back towards the exit, so you are not working over fresh turf. Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn's root system before reaching the soil it needs. The UK's biggest turf grower demonstrates how to prepare the soil for turfing and how to lay turf like a pro. By cleaning up your old lawn, adding some fertilizer, and rolling out the new turf properly, you can have a brand-new looking lawn in no time. Begin at one side or one corner and work across so that the person laying the turf faces the bare soil. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. Carbutts Turf Ltd are specialistic producers and suppliers of lawn and turf for the United Kingdom Turf is pre-grown grass seed that's been cut from the ground with a slice of top soil. Remove your existing lawn, weeds, rock and debris. If your ground is extremely compact or your soil has a clay base, you may require a bobcat to relieve compaction, then apply gypsum to the under soil before the turf goes down so the roots can grow through this layer. If your new lawn has formal straight edges, begin by laying the first row of turf along one side making sure the ends of the turf are tightly butted together. Recommended tools for laying turf. Be sure to lay the pieces in the same direction to eliminate seams and fake looking artificial grass. If you have an existing lawn this needs to be removed first. That comes out to $400 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area. When top soil is freshly laid, should it be rolled before turf is laid on top? How to lay turf. Ideally, you should utilise laying boards when installing your turf. If that's true for you, simply measure the space you want to returf and work out how much new grass you need. Once covered, old grass and vegetation can rot, cause subsidence and damage the turf’s roots. Place sod at one end of your lawn and start unrolling it from the furthest corner of your lawn. They may or may not introduce a turf underlay but the faster the job is done, the sooner they can get paid and move onto the next job. From small to big lawns, to even the most ambitious of landscaping projects, we have the know-how to recommend and install the best possible turf for your project. Proper ground preparation is essential for the establishment and future well-being of your new lawn: inadequately prepared ground will never produce the best results. Removing an existing lawn. Step 2: Soil Preparation. To pack soil down more efficiently, rent or buy a water-weighted lawn roller from a garden center or home improvement store. The quality of turf varies, so we ordered turf online for delivery then went to garden centres and DIY stores to buy it direct to find out how to get decent turf that will repay your efforts. Choose a suitable type of turf. Dig to a depth of 70mm to 80mm. Placing this underneath your turf will give your lawn its best chance of starting off on the right foot. Grab your shovel and start excavating the extra soil that you won’t need. Lay the turf, such as The Verdant Premium lawn Turf or Super Saver budget turf over the area and neatly cut into the edges. The second layer should be about three inches of stabilized decomposed granite. First, remove all existing turf and weeds (see below on how to remove your existing lawn). For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on how to remove old grass and level your lawn before you lay turf, read on! We do not recommend laying turf on existing grass, as this will prevent the new turf … Lay turf in a brickwork pattern, which simply means you stagger the joins to help retain turf moisture, and make sure you butt the edges closely together. The best chance of success is if the existing grass is very sparse – and in any case, you should prepare the soil as well as possible. Do you have to butt up the new turf to an existing lawn? Posted on March 6, 2019 at 5:05 pm by carbuttsturf. When you order the new turf, it's a good idea to add a little bit on top of your order (around five per cent), especially if you have to place the turf around obstacles like trees. When looking to lay turf flush with an edge, keep your soil about 30-40mm below this height to allow for the thickness of the turf. Many models can be either pushed by hand or towed behind a tractor. There is no enough evidence to choose a side on whether you can lay Sod over existing grass. Before laying the turf you should create an outline in your garden using builder’s twine and wooden pegs; in order to make sure the turf is laid precisely. Laying a new lawn with turf. 6. Lay a scaffold-board over the top of the reinstalled lawn (sod). You can lay turf at almost any time of the year, as long as the soil isn't waterlogged or frozen. If your ground is extremely compact or your soil has a clay base, you may require a bobcat to relieve compaction, then apply gypsum to the under soil before the turf goes down so the roots can grow through this layer. Repeat, repeat... until you've tamped down the complete reinstalled lawn (sod) area. For best results, use a lawn rotary hoe or dig the area evenly to a depth of 100mm to 150mm. I can't see the whole of the lawned area, but if the pre existing lawn isn't large, and if the sods he laid last year are growing healthily, then the easiest thing to do would be to import some topsoil from somewhere, spread it out over the area of the old lawn, till its at the height of the newer turf, then seed it with grass seed, assuming you can get that kind of seed wherever you are. If you are unsure what to do, get in touch with the team at Carbutts Turf, one of us will be happy to help in any way we can. Costs vary, but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 125,986 times. Lay turf so it runs beyond the area of your new lawn and trim edges with a straight edged board and a half-moon cutting tool. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. It is, though, very difficult to get turf added to existing lawn to be at the same height - naturally, after the preparation process, some settlement takes place, so its possible that the new turf will be laid slightly higher than the rest to allow for that. There might be concerns (practical and financial) about disposing of the old grass if dug up. First, it’s time to clean up the base. How to lay turf. Existing grass might be very sparse and mostly bare soil showing through. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Turf is laid in rolls making it a relatively straightforward garden project - simply unroll it (it's rolled up for easy handling), lay it and wait for it to take root. (Laying sod next to concrete) 2 years ago CementConcrete Laying sod next to concrete – This section is about Specification and constructio n process of furnishing and laying of sod of perennial turf forming grass , on Embankment slopes, Watershed management, and other location and also provide direction of Engineer to use the sods grass. Fertilizer is not effective if it's used in high temperatures, which is why you should do this in the fall or spring. Can sand be used as a base instead of topsoil? Start around the border, overlapping any rounded edges and trimming the excess turf once it’s all been laid. Lay turf in a brickwork pattern, butting edges together. 0. Follow our … Benjamin Hansen. Lay grass to create an instant lawn or revive a tired one. Laying purpose-grown cultivated turf will enable you to enjoy a fine lawn of instant beauty and maturity without the inconvenience, wastage or delays associated with seeding. Lay your turf rolls This is the fun bit! Remove the existing lawn using a turf cutter, which are available from all reputable hire shops. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Prepare the area. % of people told us that this article helped them. Step 2: Soil Preparation. Some of the main steps to follow include: Scarify the old lawn to remove matted growth including dead grass and moss. This article has been viewed 125,986 times. Some soil testing kits also allow you to check your soil’s nutrient levels. 1 Remove any existing damaged lawn. From the base prep to the turf installation, it's possible to do-it-yourself. How do I maintain my turf lawn after it's been planted for a few years? If you want new lawn quickly, laying turf may be a better option. Specifically, I need to know how thick the sod is so that I can remove dirt to get a uniform surface. Prepare the underlay soil. Eliminate drainage problems for your instant turf in Melbourne by … If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already thinking about reasons to lay turf on old grass, and there are a few different arguments for why you might choose to do so: These fall into three general categories: faster, easier and cheaper. Mix in a good amount of fertiliser and/or compost to improve your turf’s growth prospects. When planning how to lay instant turf on your property, proper soil preparation is essential. Preparing the ground for turf laying may take some time, but it is time well spent, to create a beautiful, healthy lawn for years to come. If you’ve ever envied your neighbor's lush green lawn, you might be thinking about laying down some turf in your yard. Shuffle along the board a few times, this will ensure you get good contact between the lawn (sod) and the soil underneath. Follow good turf aftercare guidelines to keep your new lawn well fed and watered, and avoid heavy traffic to reduce damage as much as possible. When you’re ready to lay the artificial turf, unroll it and let it set in the sun for half a day. How to Lay Garden Turf. Water your new lawn well immediately after laying using a hose pipe or sprinkler. The first part of the answer is that, yes, it is possible to lay synthetic turf directly over your existing lawn. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification. Place adjoining edges and ends against each other, but avoid stretching the turf. Keep the turf tight to one another, Continue to lay the second row, working from the boards. In most cases it won't be necessary to add too much extra dirt, but the little bit of compost will help give some nutrients to the roots while your new grass becomes established Artificial turf can be installed with turf nails. When looking to lay turf flush with an edge, keep your soil about 30-40mm below this height to allow for the thickness of the turf. It is hard work, but if you follow a few standard steps you can be laying a lawn in no time: Plan out and measure your new lawn. Do not attempt to lay turf over grass - it will cause all sorts of problems. However, this does not mean that it is a good idea or that you will ultimately be satisfied with the outcome. Artificial turf is more expensive than real sod up front, but it doesn't need real maintenance afterwards, and often has a warranty of about 16 years. These include: Ultimately it comes down to two main reasons not to lay turf over an old lawn: it gives you less chance to fix existing problems, and it makes it less likely that the new turf will successfully lay down roots. 6 October 2020. Any old grass you remove can be stacked in an unused corner of the garden or at the back of a shrubbery, where it will rot down to create a natural fertiliser – which you can then use to feed your new turf lawn, so none of those nutrients are lost. It’s best to use finely crushed rock as the base of your artificial turf. Proper topsoil preparations are essential to get the best results. Hire a sod cutter from your local Hire Shop to save the back-braking work. If your area is circular or has curved edges, you can create your own straight line through the middle and then work each way. If you must walk on the turf, wear flat-soled shoes. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. company registration number 04843520 We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. Newly laid turf needs watering well to root in and get off to a good start. So as not to have lines, lay your turf in a brick pattern. Aftercare. When you want a new lawn or need to repair bare patches in an existing one, laying turf gives faster results than sowing grass seed, although it is more expensive. However, it is paramount that the right environment is created for it to thrive. site design by thrust creative, Where can grass be laid successfully if not on existing grass. Will I need a roller to level and flatten the turf? Next, carefully rough-cut the turf with a razor knife to fit the dimensions, leaving a little extra for final adjustments, and secure it … To ensure that the turf you buy and lay is of the highest quality, always insist on turf produced by a member of the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) which has a quality assurance policy. By using our site, you agree to our. If you are working on a particularly hot day use a sprinkler to water one section while you lay the next. Expert designers are waiting to help transform your lawn, playground, and much more into a perpetually beautiful, low maintenance landscape for … Lay out one line of sod along the edge of your lawn, placing the sod end to end. Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! Last year I added a brick edging to the lawn which means I'm in a position to raise the level of the lawn by a couple of inches. To ensure the successful establishment of any new turf it is essential to prepare the soil bed thoroughly and lay the turf correctly. Steps for Laying Artificial Turf. Let’s look at some pros and cons. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Step 7: Water Lay sods with staggered joints as in the pattern of a brick wall and closely butted together avoiding gaps. Lay out the sod in a staggered pattern. 1. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. What should you put down before laying turf? If your soil is too acidic (low pH), add some ground limestone to the soil. Where can grass be laid successfully if not on existing grass? There's a reason you are laying a new lawn. Smooth out the rest of your soil, remembering to factor in drainage as you do so, the grade of your lawn area should slope enough to allow surface water to drain away quickly. Preparation. Remove any rocks, debris or sprinklers that may interfere with the installation of the artificial grass. On cooler days, the entire area can be laid before watering. We also provide a lawn laying service and can professionally install a brand new lawn for you. Soil compaction – new turf needs freshly prepared soil for the roots to grow well; Disease – any disease could affect the new turf; Pests – existing pests in the soil may attack new turf So, after killing the old lawn I was going to add appropriate top-soil to raise the level before laying turf. Aftercare. http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-lay-lawn-turf/, http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml, http://npic.orst.edu/capro/whentoplant.html, http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/liming, https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/what-do-if-your-soil-too-alkaline, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=375, http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/pros_and_cons_of_granular_and_liquid_fertilizers, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/SITEPREP/strtfert.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=261, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=292, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=409, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=341, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=454, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=523, http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/ESTABLISH/mowing.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. After a careful preparation of the site, the next step is the actual laying of the grass. If you can't, unroll the turf and water it so it stays fresh. But it might end up adding more time than it saves. Lift the existing lawn with a garden fork about 3 inches out from the edge of the newly turfed patch so both edges abut each other and firm back down with your foot to create a seamless join. Lay your first piece of turf, making sure you butt it up nice and firm against the corners – it’s important not to kneel on the turf or stretch it. Turf is perishable and can quickly dry out. Move the boards across the turf as you lay each row so you don't have to stand directly on the boards or the soil. Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! For best results, use a lawn rotary hoe or dig the area evenly to a depth of 100mm to 150mm. Although laying turf is a quick way to achieve lawn cover, soil preparation before laying turves is just as important as for sowing seed. Lift the existing lawn with a garden fork about 3 inches out from the edge of the newly turfed patch so both edges abut each other and firm back down with your foot to create a seamless join. Winter can be too cold and summer can be too dry for turf to root. You shouldn't need to, as long as you've properly cleared, raked, and fertilized the soil you'll be laying down the turf on. Eliminate drainage problems for your instant turf in Melbourne by … 2. We recommend spring and early autumn as the best times. Unroll it so the longest side of the turf is parallel with the longest edge of your lawn, and press it into the ground with your hands as you go. After that, you can nail in your artificial turf. Move the board over the width of the board, repeat "shuffle" process. Topsoil is a surface soil that is high in nutrients. Start a new roll immediately where the unrolled roll is finished. All Rights Reserved. This will not only negate any unnecessary footprinting when transporting and … Get a great looking lawn with our expert advice and tips on laying turf, including our step-by-step guide below and videos to show you just how to do it.. Whilst laying out the turf itself is an easy job, you’ll get best results if you spend some time measuring your lawn area correctly, preparing the area and follow our tips to get your lawn well established afterwards. Check with your garden center about delivery and pallet return fees. Good job. If you are installing turf on a hot day, lay the turf in sections and water well to prevent drying. You might also say that this process will cut down a lot of your time. Once you’ve got the first patch in, continue rolling additional patches in the same way, making sure there’s no gap between them. After your mow it the first time, let your lawn grow to be 1 and 1/2 times higher than the recommended height before you mow it again. The laying of new turf on old turf compared to grass seed. So £30 for new turf. What steps do I take when laying sod next to existing grass? It’s harder for the turf to set down healthy roots through the old grass layer. Water it well and keep watering every few days so it establishes well. This article has been viewed 125,986 times. Last year I added a brick edging to the lawn which means I'm in a position to raise the level of the lawn by a couple of inches. Use a rotary hoe or spade to turn the top layer of soil over. The next step of the installation of your fake turf is to create the perfect base. Try as much as possible not to walk over the just laid sod. If you are installing turf in the fall, lay it down early enough so that it is well established and rooted at least 6 weeks before the first hard freeze of winter. Installing Artificial Grass on Top of Natural Grass. If the lawn has a lot of weeds, spray it with a weed killer and wait about 48 hours for the weeds to die so they’re easier to remove. Do you have existing turf to remove? Using a proprietary non selective weed killer recommended for killing grasses, treat the existing lawn at the stated application rate. Lay sod in spring where cool-season grasses rule and any time of year where warm-season turf is king. To test if the new turf has rooted, grab the surface of the turf and gently try pulling it upward. Use a wooden plank to walk across turf you’ve already put down so you don't damage it with your feet. Turf on the pallet is very heavy and difficult to move. If you wish to put down turf in the summer, or your area does not get enough rainfall in fall and spring, install a watering system or use a hose and sprinkler to make sure your turf gets enough water. When planning how to lay instant turf on your property, proper soil preparation is essential. Roll out the turf You will want to have between 50-100mm of topsoil on the ground before you get started. Turf is an easy way to replace a patchy lawn with bright, even grass, but only if you do it the right way. Almost like an outdoor, grassy carpet, it can be laid to fix patchy areas in an existing lawn or to create a new lawn completely from scratch. Fall and spring are the best seasons for turf to root into the ground because of all the rain. Expert Interview. When to lay turf Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. Repeat watering at regular intervals to keep turf moist at all times, until rooted. Then backfill the space with about five inches of compacted granite-based road base, which will stabilize the region and kill any dormant weeds. All existing turf should be removed from the area before you start to rotovate the ground. You can find bags of topsoil at your local garden center. Try to lay down turf the same day it’s delivered. Lay in a cross bonded pattern like house bricks. Wait to lay down new turf until fall or spring if possible. 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn. If you are working on a slope, lay turf across the slope. Laying Turf | "Very concise instructions on lawn maintenance. Lay the next strip across the longest straight run and continue to work across the lawn, strip by strip, producing a pattern similar to brickwork. Grass roots only grow to four or five inches deep and with the method you want to use they will not grow into the old lawn, creating a table top situation with one lawn sitting on the other and a situation where it could flood. Three times the cost of seed, BUT with turf you get the top soil as well all in a roll. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Start laying turf on a straight edge at the furthest point to your access and lay back towards the exit, so you are not working over fresh turf. © 2016-2019, Carbutts Turf ltd. You will need around 100mm-150mm of good topsoil to lay the new turf on top of. Once the turf has rooted, it will grow to look like a natural, healthy lawn. Continue laying the turf until your soil is covered. This allows the roll to acclimate, a helpful pre-installation step. Licensed Landscape Contractor. Bring in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly through the yard. Step 3: Laying the Artificial Grass. 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Watersavers Turf is here to help you with artificial grass installation in addition to saving water, time, and money. Avoid walking on prepared soil before you lay down turf, so that you don’t create indentations in the soil. Lay the turf, such as The Verdant Premium lawn Turf or Super Saver budget turf over the area and neatly cut into the edges. This is a guide for laying turf on topsoil, however you can appropriate some of these steps to increase that chances of your turf taking root over old grass. When ready, water the completed lawn surface thoroughly. Rotovate the surface well to aerate compacted soil and expose bare soil for direct root contact. Rickbanko Posts: 4. Crushed rock can be found easily in most major hardware stores throughout Australia, and it costs about AU$45 per cubic metre. Prep 1-spray existing lawn with a selective herbicide-weedol, kills any weed. First, remove all existing turf and weeds (see below on how to remove your existing lawn). In order to ensure that your fake turf stays in place and it keeps its good looks, properly excavating the existing turf is a must. Laying a new lawn is hard work and more expensive than sowing seed, but it gives an instant, lush looking lawn as soon as you've finished. Yes, it works best and can easily be rented at a local tool or home improvement center. To lay a turf lawn, start on a spring or fall day, when it’s easiest for turf to take root in the ground, by unrolling the first patch of turf at the farthest edge of your lawn. Yes, as long as it isn't more than a few inches deep and of a loose, non compacting type. References. Water this then let it cure for three days. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Lay-a-Turf-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Lay-a-Turf-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/08\/Lay-a-Turf-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid701191-v4-728px-Lay-a-Turf-Lawn-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"