Turf laying and the different ways of preparing the ground work - please advise? - Forum

Having read alot and asked some friends on the best way to prepare the ground for laying new turf i am now not sure which way is best?i have some large borders to one side which are 8 inches deep and i am worried about sinking as i want to fill these. I have built a retaining block wall to enable me to fill the borders and level the ground to try and get a flat lawn.Methods1) remove the old turf, rotavate, remove roots and stones etc, back fill borders, compact (would it be best to use a plate compactor or roller?) 40mm of topsoil (rake and compact with boards and feet) fertilize, water, lay new turf and water for 1 hour.2) rotovate everything including old turf as fine as possible, remove large debris, and then follow the rest of the method above.So all i need to know is the best way to do the job.Also just as a guide what would the cost be if the job was done for me assuming that i need 40 rolls of turf and 2 ton topsoil, fertilizer and labour costs?Any advise is greatly appriciated.

Old growth Etc. As it never realy rotovates in too well! I done a job last week were the customer wanted me t do it to save money and not get a skip! 190m2 of lawn admitidly i only filled one tonne bag but still there is more green than you think! I could do you a quote but it wouldnt be cheep as id have to put travel costs on to it! It would be about £900 if i was to do it with travel etc. I imagen you would definatly get a cheeper job done! Kieran

John Nunn said:

Hi Kieran, thanks for the advise.. i live in south wales just outside cardiff.
When you state 10% surface growth. What do you mean?
John

Kieran Ray said:
I personaly use both aproaches! The 1st is much more profesinal (sorry about bad spelling). I only tend to do option 2 if there is less than 10% surface growth. Also I would also use a roller to compact the ground over a compaction plate as a compaction plate seems to compact the ground way to much! Also wereabouts are you in the country? I mite be able to do a quote if you are close to me! if you wish. Kieran

Replies

Kieran Ray August 25, 2009 at 7:32pm

I personaly use both aproaches! The 1st is much more profesinal (sorry about bad spelling). I only tend to do option 2 if there is less than 10% surface growth. Also I would also use a roller to compact the ground over a compaction plate as a compaction plate seems to compact the ground way to much! Also wereabouts are you in the country? I mite be able to do a quote if you are close to me! if you wish. Kieran
John Nunn August 25, 2009 at 8:21pm

Hi Kieran, thanks for the advise.. i live in south wales just outside cardiff.
When you state 10% surface growth. What do you mean?
John

Kieran Ray said:
I personaly use both aproaches! The 1st is much more profesinal (sorry about bad spelling). I only tend to do option 2 if there is less than 10% surface growth. Also I would also use a roller to compact the ground over a compaction plate as a compaction plate seems to compact the ground way to much! Also wereabouts are you in the country? I mite be able to do a quote if you are close to me! if you wish. Kieran
Kieran Ray August 25, 2009 at 8:33pm

Old growth Etc. As it never realy rotovates in too well! I done a job last week were the customer wanted me t do it to save money and not get a skip! 190m2 of lawn admitidly i only filled one tonne bag but still there is more green than you think! I could do you a quote but it wouldnt be cheep as id have to put travel costs on to it! It would be about £900 if i was to do it with travel etc. I imagen you would definatly get a cheeper job done! Kieran

John Nunn said:
Hi Kieran, thanks for the advise.. i live in south wales just outside cardiff.
When you state 10% surface growth. What do you mean?
John

Kieran Ray said:
I personaly use both aproaches! The 1st is much more profesinal (sorry about bad spelling). I only tend to do option 2 if there is less than 10% surface growth. Also I would also use a roller to compact the ground over a compaction plate as a compaction plate seems to compact the ground way to much! Also wereabouts are you in the country? I mite be able to do a quote if you are close to me! if you wish. Kieran
Neil Petrie BSc Landscape Mgt August 26, 2009 at 8:54am

I'd spray it all to make sure everything was killed off completely first or else you'll end up getting weeds coming through the new lawn. It'll mean you need to wait a few weeks until it goes brown but worthwhile. Then rotovate, and rake to level, tamp with back of rake/feet (covering every inch) and produce fine tilth. Then best to leave to settle for a week. No need to use vibrating plates etc.. Then rake out more stones etc, tamp and prepare final level and tilth. Lay turf.

Price...seeing as I'm most certainly not coming to Wales, try adding the price of all the materials together and doubling it then add on price of rotovator hire (...£50) and small skip (...£50). I'd reckon about £520 for the job.
Landscape Manager August 30, 2009 at 8:46pm

Good Evening John,

In answer to your question - Method 1 is the best way to do the job.

I also agree with Neil ref spraying off a few weeks before. I personally would always remove the turf with a turf lifter or by hand (turfing iron) depending on size.

Your soil might be fine and no need to add topsoil; during my green keeping day we always used topdressing (a sandy soil mix). But you will do no harm adding good weed free topsoil.

As my old head green keeper told me years ago a roller should only be used by an exp green keeper, I would opt for the heal and toe method several times and several rakes. Ensure your finished soil surface is Firm, Flat, Level and has a good tilth. Always use boards during laying and ensure soil contact and the turfs are knitted together well

Also - Water everyday and don’t allow to dry out.

Cheers Andy