topsoil - LJN Blog Posts - Landscape Juice Network2024-03-29T06:02:39Zhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/topsoilLaying Avon Turf -- The Fundamentals.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/laying-turf-the-fundamentals2013-11-22T18:30:00.000Z2013-11-22T18:30:00.000ZRoy Bassetthttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/RoyBassett<div><p><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-3">At Avon Turf, we've been working as landscape gardeners and turf farmers in the south west for a generation. We've witnessed industry trends come and go, as technology has evolved. We were in this game when rolling turf was an endurance event. Today we sit back and let our turf harvester do the heavy lifting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-3">Although we offer a landscaping service, we're happy to simply deliver turf too. Customers, and local gardeners, often quiz us on the best practice for laying turf. There are different schools of thought; Some stagger the strips, others lay them to create a stripy effect and there are those who just throw it down and let nature do the rest.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font-size-5"><strong><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">Lawn Care Fundamentals</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-3">Through the years, we've witness a multitude of approaches from customers and gardeners with varied degrees of competence and experience. Truth be told, laying turf doesn't require an MBA, but a firm grasp of the fundamentals helps. Our organizing principle here is efficiency, let's roll. </span></span></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Here's a rollcall of the essentials:</span></em></p><ul><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Topsoil</span></em></li><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">A Wheelbarrow (Well, that depends ...)</span></em></li><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Planks</span></em></li><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Gloves</span></em></li><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Turf Knife</span></em></li><li><em><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;" class="font-size-2">Garden Sprinkler</span></em></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"><span class="font-size-3"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">Before the fun and games ensue, let's assume you've done the groundwork. For turf to set and rise, you'll require a healthy <a rel="nofollow" href="http://avonturfsupplies.co.uk/avon-topsoil/" target="_blank">foundation of soil</a>. We distribute screened topsoil that is ready to disperse evenly and rich in all the essential nutrients, including phosphorous and potassium. Without the right balance, your turf will wither and fade.</span></span></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">As you unfurl the turf, begin with the perimeter. This will give you a guideline as you progress. Unroll the turf parallel, tucking the turves in tightly. Rhizomes allow the turf to bond laterally, but not if there are broad gaps. As you progress to the perimeter your turf knife will come in handy. Perfection isn't necessary, just ensure the turves are in touch and nature will do the rest. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span class="font-size-5" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">Look After Your Investment</span></span></strong></p><p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"><span style="font-family: 'andale mono', times;">Once laid your turf will need up to 7 days to become established. During this period you'll need to apply the water generously and evenly throughout the lawn. In the event of discoloration or gaps parting the turf, contact your <a rel="nofollow" href="http://avonturfsupplies.co.uk/" target="_blank">turf distributor</a> to safeguard your investment. Turf can be laid in an afternoon, but can slowly fade over weeks and months. </span></span></p></div>3 Tips For Summer Lawn Carehttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/3-tips-for-summer-lawn-care2013-06-28T16:00:00.000Z2013-06-28T16:00:00.000ZBanbury Turfhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/BanburyTurf<div><p>During the summer your lawn will play host to heightened levels of footfall. Children fresh out of school playing sports late into the evening, a series of social gatherings and a lack of rain can you leave your lawn looking patchy and parched. However, with a touch of forward planning, you can rouse the best in your lawn by following these three summer lawn care tips.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iu76c5c3P9Q?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><em><strong>1) Water Your Lawn</strong></em></p><p>Even the during the hottest times of year <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn" target="_blank">your lawn</a> will survive without being watered, as the grass transitions into a dormant state. However, this will result in the color changing from a rich healthy green to a somewhat unattractive brown. Left unchecked, your lawns condition will gradually deteriorate.</p><p>If you decide to water your lawn during the dry summer months then it’s important you do so consistently. The best time to water the grass is early in the morning, as you’ll take advantage of natural dew and the lower temperatures reduce the loss of moisture later in the day. If you have the resources, a timed sprinkler system is probably the best solution.</p><p>A lot of people tend to water their plants and grass at dusk, but this isn’t ideal. The unintended consequence of this practise is to stimulate the growth of diseases and fungus in the ground. These maladies are not dependent on sunlight for their ideal growing conditions. So, if you plan to water your grass, make sure it is early in the morning.</p><p><em><strong>2) Mowing Time And Height</strong></em></p><p>During midsummer you should reduce the frequency of mowing as this will give the grass a lot more time to recover. Either early morning or late in the evening before sundown is the best time for both the grass and even the average gardener by avoiding the high stresses of the daytime heat.</p><p>It is also very important to increase the cutting height of your mower. Leave it at about 3.5 inches and your lawn will thank you for it. This ensures that the soil and roots are protected by more shade resulting in lower moisture loss and healthier looking grass that will thrive.</p><p><em><strong>3) Reduce Foot Traffic</strong></em></p><p>The last factor we’ll discuss in this summer lawn care article, is to reduce the amount of foot traffic. This isn’t always easy as you and your family strive to enjoy the great outdoors. But if you insist on enjoying the garden during the hottest times of day, try to use shaded areas or do your best to rotate where you rest in the sun. That’s easier said than done, but a vital step, non-the-less.</p><p>These three fundamentals will make a dramatic impact to the overall health and appearance of your lawn. Hosting a vibrant lawn by the summer’s end will help as you prepare for fall and winter. We hope you’ve found this article useful. Follow the team at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://oxfordturf.co.uk/" target="_blank">Banbury and Oxford Turf</a> as we strive to give you a lawn to be proud of, for all seasons. We'll add more lawn care posts on the Landscape Juice Network soon.</p></div>How To Lay Turf ... Like A Pro.https://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profiles/blogs/how-to-lay-turf-like-a-pro2013-05-20T02:30:00.000Z2013-05-20T02:30:00.000ZWiltshire Turfhttps://landscapejuicenetwork.com/profil/WiltshireTurf<div><p>The best thing about laying turf to establish a fresh lawn is the rapid transformation. In this article, we will show you a step-by-step how guide on how to lay turf ... like a pro.</p>
<p>1.     Prepare your tools</p>
<p>For this type of project, you will only need a spade, some planks, a rake, a long knife, a garden hose, a wheelbarrow, a sprinkler, and turf cutter.</p>
<p>2.     Prepare your soil</p>
<p>Even the most expensive garden turf will not look its best if your soil is of poor quality. So, before you do any work, check your soil. If it’s too dry and crumbles in your hands, enrich your soil to encourage the turf's rapid and deep root growth.</p>
<p>Having strong roots will ensure that you have a lawn that’s drought-resistant and uses water and nutrients effectively. It also makes your lawn more visually appealing because they lead to a denser sward of grass.</p>
<p>If the area to be turfed has an existing lawn or is overrun by weeds, treat it with a non-selective weed killer at least fourteen days before you start. Then remove any unwanted grass with turf cutter.</p>
<p>3.     Calculate your turf and topsoil requirements</p>
<p>This will require a bit of math. Measure the area to be turfed then multiply the length by the width. Add 5% to the product. The result is the number of rolls you need. Since most turf suppliers roll out their product in square meters, it would be easier if you measure your lawn in meter units.</p>
<p>As to how much top soil you need, measure the depth, length and width of the area to be covered, then multiply them together to get the volume you need. If you’re not confident about your math, simply go online and search for “turf product calculator.”</p>
<p>You need AT LEAST 100mm of good soil that’s free from any stone, debris and weeds. Always, buy your top soil and turf from a reputable supplier. Also, have the top soil delivered a couple of days before the turf so that you can adequately prepare.</p>
<p>4.     Lay the top soil</p>
<p>Once your top soil has been loosened, it should be lightly compacted. You can do this by walking over the top soil and smoothing the surface as you do. Then rake the surface until the soil has been evenly worked over. Water the top soil at least two days before the turf arrives. Rake again before you lay the turf.</p>
<p>5.     Lay the turf</p>
<p>Start laying the turf immediately. If you have a round area, start from the center then work your way out. If you have a rectangular-shaped area, start from a straight edge. Lay the turfs closely to one another so that there are no gaps. (Gaps cause the grass to dry out). On the succeeding rows, lay them out in brickwork style.</p>
<p>Do not step on a newly-laid turf, but if you need to, walk over it with a plank. When you’re done, lightly press on the turf with a rake, making sure that the turfs have good contact with the soil. Do NOT use a roller. Also, do not pull a turf into a joint, always push. Fill in any cracks by <a href="http://wiltshire-turf.co.uk/topsoil-wiltshire/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">lightly distributing topsoil</a> and even the ground. </p>
<p>6.     Water your lawn</p>
<p>Water your lawn immediately after you’re done. Do this for several days until the turf gets firmly rooted.</p>
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