best way to replace old grass with new turf?

[thecaptain]

customer has asked for over 1000 square meters of old grass to be replaced with high quality turf, just wondered if any of you had idea's on how bes to proceed, I would just get a diger in, strip off old turf, spread few " top soil then turf.

 

any other options to consider?

[Stephen Blair]

If the lawn is just old and there's nothing wrong with soil or drainage then I'd cut it into the ground, rotovate , rake level, roll, sand then turf.

All ground condition dependant though.

[wildflowerbill]

I would convince them to plant at least half of it as a wildflower meadow. Less maintenance, only need to cut once a year, not 50, and no spraying in future, a million times more beneficial to the environment, and wildlife. Far better than boring lawns. But that's just me

 

Or, spray it, kill the lot, then cut collect debris, and rotivate. Spread 1/4 inch of topsoil, add fertiliser, then lay turf, or at a fraction of the cost, seed. It's almost the perfect time.

[Paul Jenks]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdomzmkriBk]Preparing to lay turf video - YouTube[/ame]

 

This should give you the guidance you require

[Sussex Groundie]

As above on the spraying, rotovating, raking or a turf cutter but then a lot of waste. On the new turfing front have a look at Rolawn, they do turf in 13 metre "cotton reel strips" on a "hose roller" which they lend you, easy to walk along and lay. These pics are a bit extreme but shows what can be done.

[DannyCane]

Scrape off old turf

Rotorvate if the soil is of good quality and remove any large stones rocks etc

Roller area and remove lumps and bumps

Fluff up the soil with a light raking and scatter a thin layer of sharp Sand over the whole area

Lay your first row of turf

Don't walk over the soil or the new layer turf use a plank of wood or board

Stagger the next row , ie : like when making a wall

Water regularly especially in the warmer weather , a sprinkler is best

 

 

Hope this helps mate this is what I tend to do however if I'm wrong someone please let me know

 

 

Dan

[scraggs]

Don't bother removing the old turf, rotavate it in, you put goodness back into the soil and save a boatload of time and money removing it when it really isn't necessary

Generally no need to spray either unless it's infested with weeds, and even then if you rotavate it properly there is no need to spray.

Several passes with a decent rotavator, then level, raking out any large bits of old lawn the rotavator didn't break up, then roll, then a final rake and then lay your turf off boards (unless using big rolls).

Depending where you are we supply both standard sized rolls and big roll turf (shameful plug)

 

Edit: you might want to spray it off if replacing with ornamental turf

Edited March 17, 2014 by scraggs

[54gka]

if the ground is nice and level Just hire a turf cutter and relay new turf.

[thecaptain]

thanks for the replys guys, think im going to spray to kill off, then rotavate it, removing old turf is just too costly, especially due to access down tight country lanes and the way the garden is set out.

 

quote sent, just waiting on approval!

[Mortimer Firewood]

I don't no of any landscaper worth his salt that would leave the old turf once you spray it off its dead no goodness left in it spray remove rotervate stone get a stone buiryer over it mix 2 part sharp sand to loam and sprinkle on and rake in and rake it and rake it then lay turf.

If the client wants fine turf give him fine turf and do it properly we have been back to so many jobs where so called landscapers rotervate and chuck turf down and wonder why it looks crap.