A common question that is asked when it comes to lawncare, is what should you put down before laying turf? Is there anything that you should do to prepare your soil for a new layer of turf? Or can you just go ahead, rip up the old turf and start from scratch?
These are the questions that we aim to answer in this article. Consider this the only guide you’ll ever need on what to do before laying a new turf on your lawn.
STEP 1 – Clear the Area
Every single last scrap of plant material should be removed from the lawn area. Yes, that sounds much easier said than done but it is a necessary step. Removing grass, plants, leaves, roots, and twigs! Everything must go. This is easy enough to do with a garden spade. However, if the area is too large, you can invest in or hire a mechanical turf cutter to save yourself the effort.
You can use your old lawn’s green waste for composting, or simply take it down to your local green waste centre.
STEP 2 – Dig it Up
The next step is to dig the soil over and remove any stones, bricks, or other debris. Use a garden fork or a mechanical rotovator to do this. To give you a clearer idea, if a stone is bigger than a matchbox, then you shouldn’t have it under your lawn.
You should aim to dig approximately 6 inches deep as a minimum. If you don’t have enough topsoil, then make sure you bring in some high-quality soil from a reputable supplier in order to make up the difference.
At this stage, you can consider improving your soil. There are plenty of soil improvers that you can add, such as compost of rotten manure.
STEP 3 – Level it
The next stage is to rake the soil, break down any big lumps, and create a nice and smooth, even surface on your topsoil. The reason why you should be aiming to get rid of the humps and bumps in the soil is so that you can mow your lawn properly, without scalping the risen areas every time you cut it.
STEP 4 – Firm it
This is a bit of an odd step, but a necessary one indeed. Gather your family and friends and do what’s called “the gardeners shuffle”. You basically have to stomp and shuffle around on your lawn in order to firm it out. This is a bit crazy, but the results are worth the exertion.
STEP 5 – Add Pre-Turfing Feed
Now you need to add pre-turning feed to the soil. It’s easy enough to do; simply follow the instructions on the pack. This helps to de-stress the grass plants after they’ve survived the journey from the turf field to your garden. It allows the turf to root quickly and remain strong and healthy. Kinda like a welcome home feast!
STEP 6 – Rake it Once More
Now all you need is to give the soil one last rake in order to get the pre-turf fertiliser mixed in nicely and simply level the surface out again. Following that, all you need is to get all measured up and place your new order for some premium quality turf!
If you are not quite sure on what turf to go for then don’t worry, as you are not alone in this. There are so many different varieties of turf, each with their own unique features and properties, so it can be difficult figuring out which is best for you. We recommend heading over to A View Turf where you can find a wealth of information on a wide range, so that you can make an informed decision and settle on the perfect turf for your new lawn renovation.
