Once covered, old grass and vegetation can rot, cause subsidence and damage the turf’s roots. 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 They will skim off the existing grass, rotary hoe the area to be turfed, roll the area and lay the grass. Aftercare. Before installing the artificial grass, lay the turf onto the base, and then position the pieces where they need to be. 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. Spray out your existing lawn and weeds no less than 14 days before you want to lay your new turf. You will need around 100mm-150mm of good topsoil to lay the new turf on top of. Prep 1-spray existing lawn with a selective herbicide-weedol, kills any weed. Lay each piece hard up against the last to avoid air pockets and any drying out. You can find bags of topsoil at your local garden center. Positioning the Turf; If you do not have pets you can install a weed barrier at this time. If you are working on a particularly hot day use a sprinkler to water one section while you lay the next. Fertilizer is not effective if it's used in high temperatures, which is why you should do this in the fall or spring. Only a few tools are needed to lay turf: Wheelbarrow; Rake; Long knife or old hand saw; Spade or fork; Some scaffolding planks; Garden hose and sprinkler; You may also need a rotovator and, if you’re replacing an existing lawn, a turf cutter or weed killer. 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 Look online or ask someone at your local garden center what the recommended height is for your turf type. Start around the border, overlapping any rounded edges and trimming the excess turf once it’s all been laid. Preparation. Mix in a good amount of fertiliser and/or compost to improve your turf’s growth prospects. Recommended tools for laying turf. It’s best to use finely crushed rock as the base of your artificial turf. Head down to your nearest Bunnings and grab some top soil and wetting agent. 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. Move the board over the width of the board, repeat "shuffle" process. Lay out the sod in a staggered pattern. Bring in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly through the yard. Ask the internet “Can I lay turf on existing grass?” and the answer is generally a resounding no – but of course it’s more complex than that, so here’s what to know about laying turf on existing grass for the best results. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on how to remove old grass and level your lawn before you lay turf, read on! 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. If you can't, unroll the turf and water it so it stays fresh. To install sod on an existing lawn, cut any existing grass low, and level out any holes or step dips in the yard. How to Lay Garden Turf. Use a rotary hoe or spade to turn the top layer of soil over. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. For full effectiveness you may have to leave this for approximately 14 days. Using a sprinkler will help to keep the lawn hydrated. 6 October 2020. 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. 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. Turf installation is a job that you can do yourself. There might be concerns (practical and financial) about disposing of the old grass if dug up. To test if the new turf has rooted, grab the surface of the turf and gently try pulling it upward. Don’t worry if you leave a little space between the rolls. The best time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, when rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts. 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. Topsoil is a surface soil that is high in nutrients. If we're talking about synthetic turf, you'll want to first excavate down around seven, eight inches. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Place sod at one end of your lawn and start unrolling it from the furthest corner of your lawn. Hire a sod cutter from your local Hire Shop to save the back-braking work. That comes out to $400 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area. 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. If you have not already removed existing turf, you can hire a turf cutter from most tool hire shops. If your soil is too acidic (low pH), add some ground limestone to the soil. 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. 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. Once the turf has rooted, it will grow to look like a natural, healthy lawn. 1. Lay the turf, such as The Verdant Premium lawn Turf or Super Saver budget turf over the area and neatly cut into the edges. Lawn and weeds can be removed by using a knapsack sprayer using “Zero”, "Round-Up" or something similar. 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. There are 24 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. You will want to have between 50-100mm of topsoil on the ground before you get started. It’s harder for the turf to set down healthy roots through the old grass layer. 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. The first part of the answer is that, yes, it is possible to lay synthetic turf directly over your existing lawn. Last Updated: October 13, 2020 What should you put down before laying turf? To pack soil down more efficiently, rent or buy a water-weighted lawn roller from a garden center or home improvement store. Grab your shovel and start excavating the extra soil that you won’t need. Although laying turf is a quick way to achieve lawn cover, soil preparation before laying turves is just as important as for sowing seed. If you decide you want to go ahead, it’s important to know how best to lay turf over grass to give it the best chance to put down roots, grow new green grass and avoid subsidence and weeds over time. Some of the main steps to follow include: Scarify the old lawn to remove matted growth including dead grass and moss. We recommend spring and early autumn as the best times. If your area is circular or has curved edges, you can create your own straight line through the middle and then work each way. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 125,986 times. Ideally, you should utilise laying boards when installing your turf. 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. Start the next line of sod staggered with the first, as though you were laying down a line of bricks. This allows the roll to acclimate, a helpful pre-installation step. Lay in a cross bonded pattern like house bricks. 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 garden makeover is up against it on any one of the three, then it might be enough to persuade you to lay turf on top of existing grass. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Turf is pre-grown grass seed that's been cut from the ground with a slice of top soil. Fall and spring are the best seasons for turf to root into the ground because of all the rain. Home › Gardening Information › Lawn Care Guides and Advice › How to Lay Turf – Laying new turf to replace a lawn How to Lay Turf – Laying new turf to replace a lawn If your grass has gone passed revival then the laying of your new turf will have to be done sooner rather than later and it’s important to set aside enough time to make sure you get it right. company registration number 04843520 Laying a new lawn is an exciting time for any landscape project or garden installation. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Tuck or roll the seams together for best results, as though you were seaming carpet. When ready, water the completed lawn surface thoroughly. There's a reason you are laying a new lawn. Costs vary, but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. 6. Begin at one side or one corner and work across so that the person laying the turf faces the bare soil. By using our site, you agree to our. If you are working on a slope, lay turf across the slope. This will not only negate any unnecessary footprinting when transporting and … Take look at our steps to prepare for laying new turf. 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. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification. Many models can be either pushed by hand or towed behind a tractor. 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. 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. Shuffle along the board a few times, this will ensure you get good contact between the lawn (sod) and the soil underneath. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification. 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. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. Then backfill the space with about five inches of compacted granite-based road base, which will stabilize the region and kill any dormant weeds. Will I need a roller to level and flatten the turf? 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. Try as much as possible not to walk over the just laid sod. 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 next step of the installation of your fake turf is to create the perfect base. Proper topsoil preparations are essential to get the best results. Adding turf will raise the level of your lawn by about 2 inches (5 cm), so pack your existing soil or turf down by at least that much. 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn. 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