Can You Resod Over Hard Dirt?. Note: if you are installing your turf on a slope, it is best to start at the bottom and work your way to the top. The aspects that can ruin the lawn are: the topsoil was not good enough for plant growth, the turf was not laid properly, the ground was not … You don't have to bin plants affected, but in order to eradicate the ground elder, they must be dug up and the roots should be cleared before they can be re-planted. Use a rotary hoe or spade to turn the top layer of soil over. If the soil’s pH is below 5.0, you can add lime to improve the soil quality. If something goes wrong, you can just as easily cover the area again. You should always prepare the ground properly before laying a new lawn. If you can't lay the turf immediately, keep the delivered turf in the shade (particularly in hot weather) and remove any film wrapping from the pallet. In fact, it can be good fun and also pretty satisfying to clear out the existing turf in your garden and see how the work starts to take shape. Laying turf on sand you … Prepare the area, levelling the ground and removing big stones. People will ask us if they can lay sod over mulch or over wood chips left from grinding stumps. Call Houston Grass at 281-431-7441 if you’re looking for top-quality turf grass sod at prices at competitive prices! Laying the Turf. After you have finished laying the turf you need to ensure that it is in contact with the soil it is laid on so that the lawns roots can bond with and penetrate into the soil. AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last. Although I dig out the roots whenever the leaves appear, it seems to grow back with even more vigour the next time. I have obtained some manure to add organic material. Installing an above-ground pool on a natural grass lawn is not a good idea, particularly if you plan on … 5. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. Preventing Injuries. *** IT IS NOT AS SOFT AS YOU THINK. I have spent the weekend digging up the weeds and stones and i have now covered it with weedblock premium control fabric to try to stop the weeds. Regularly mowing the grass will starve the plant, killing the roots. As such, you should only order your turf once you have prepared the ground. It is rampant and completely takes over where it can, smothering my Bluebells and Pieris, and invading the lawn. Laying lawns using turf . Above Ground Pools on Natural Grass. Sign In or Register to comment. Cut to fit Use shears to trim your turf pieces to the correct size. 3. Summary of Can You Lay Sod Over Mulch or Wood Chips. Spread a general-purpose fertiliser over the ground one week before laying the turf. If you leave turf to sit there without laying it, it’ll degrade and start to die very quickly. Turf costs a lot, but it's easy to ruin it. Over a couple of decades paving slabs often discolour and this results in more people choosing artificial grass. Once all the turf is fitted, walk over it to smooth over any bumps – if you have a larger area, you’ll probably need to use a lawn roller. For success when turfing a wildflower meadow it is vitally important that the area to be turfed must be totally free of weeds and grass prior to turfing to reduce unwanted competition from perennial weeds such as dandelions, docks, ground elder which might try to grow up through the turf as it … Then, you can safely roll out your sod on top and get your lawn started with success. Turf laid in spring often needs watering in dry spells over summer. 7. Don’t Lay Sod Over Mulch. If the surface is uneven, wheelbarrow in some topsoil, pour it on top and even it out with a rake. I want to know if i can now put new soil on top of the weed block fabric and then lay new grass on top of the soil. Weeds can also use the gaps as space to grow. Now that the hard work has been done to prepare the ground, you are ready to lay your new turf. Planning the Drainage If you are planning on installing artificial grass on concrete, there are a few things you need to know to prevent injuries. Fortunately, issues with poor soil can easily be corrected before you lay your turf. Once settled, old turf can be used as compost for potted plants. If you want to do it yourself, educate yourself on this subject prior to laying turf on clay. You have to fill in holes, flatten bumps, and generally try to obtain a surface with gentle contours (or is perfectly flat. Prep Stage 1. Ground elder came with our house when we bought it. You will likely have drainage issues if you do not properly prepare the ground beneath your new lawn. 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. Artificial turf can be placed over wood surfaces as well. Whether you are wanting to create a softer surface for the children or a more attractive and vibrant area, we are telling you that you can put artificial grass on paving slabs. To get going with this phase, you can dig out the existing turf using a space or turf cutter. Level the ground, break up clods, cut off roots and remove debris and pebbles. Still, assuming that your former patio was not that big in size, the other option is to purchase good quality topsoil and distribute a layer of at least 6 inches over the designated area. I have a problem with weeds in my garden and have tried killing them with weed killer but they always return. Synthetic or artificial turf can be a great option for landscape areas where turf maintenance and growth is difficult. When to lay turf. The area can easily be turned back to flower borders later. A Ground elder, introduced by the Romans as a vegetable, is difficult to get rid of because it regrows from the smallest trace of root. Laying the sod is the easy part; getting the soil ready so it can keep your sod healthy takes much longer. If you are still not convinced that Ground Elder is for you, it is possible to get rid of it, but it can take several years. You’ll also pay a premium for it. Still, it’s plastic in the Valley of the Sun, not a great pairing if staying cool in your yard is a priority for you. The Synthetic Turf Council has even published guidelines for minimizing the risk of heat-related illness. Gaps can cause your turf to dry out or look patchy. Here is where I am at at the moment: 0. You can buy turf for formal or ornamental lawns but you’ll need to search for the right supplier. Your local green waste disposal will take ground elder (in the UK). An old bread knife will come in handy if you need to cut the turf to fit certain shapes/spots. One of the greatest attractions to using turf is the ability to easily blend color tones to create a realistic texture. You can use the reverse side of a spade to do this by stamping the turf, alteratively you can ‘walk’ the turf in by side-stepping a foots width at a time. Homeowners can install artificial grass on wooden decks, patios , picnic table benches, landscape platforms, benches and plant racks. Even out the ground, and take out any uneven parts which would not be attractive after the turf has been laid. 1. Does anyone have any photos of their ground before parking turf as good (or maybe bad) examples to work to? Once you have removed the topsoil by digging, try and level it out by using a tamp or simply walk over the ground. Since this is quite common, let’s take a look at a few things you should consider when placing a pool on either a natural grass lawn or artificial turf. When you have dug up or sprayed the ground elder do not put the plant remains in the compost heap! If it has rained and the soil is soaked, then before you dig it up, allow it to dry, as digging the wet soil will cause it to slump. I'm currently rotavating, but the ground is very stoney, and I wonder how much stone needs to be removed? In spring and autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks. If you install over natural grass without a good weed barrier, there is a much higher chance of grass or weeds growing up through the artificial grass backing. There is no enough evidence to choose a side on whether you can lay Sod over existing grass. ... Alternatively, you could turf the area over. 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn Or lay membrane over the whole area. Turf is essentially an evolution of the sawdust method, coming in a similar consistency, and available in a wide variety of pre-colored options. Remember: don’t throw any off-cuts away – you may need them to fill any gaps down the track. Turf is Perishable. It’s hard, and it can hurt if you … The aim is to prevent light from reaching the ground elder. You will then want to dig out the existing soil to up to 2 and a half inches in depth. You can, if you must, plant trees through the plastic, but a frill of "liberated" ground elder will appear around the base of each, and will have to be carefully weed-killed. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. No matter what look you are trying to achieve, there is an artificial turf that can accommodate your needs. 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. Using turf is the quickest way to get a lawn, but it needs careful preparation and care while it settles down. Yes, you can temporarily disguise bald patches in your lawn by laying new turf on top of it. Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! Here are some pointers for soil preparation – the key to a happy lawn: The ideal soil for growing a lush, healthy lawn is a sandy loam with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. Would I be wise to take up the turf and flip it over before adding more topsoil and re-turfing as seems logical if a lot more work,Or as some friends have said just topsoil on top of the old turf and then re-turf on the assumption that the old grass will die and provide further nutrition? 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