In order to get the best from your new turf lawn proper preparation of the ground is essential for the new roots to establish themselves providing a better finished result and ensuring it thrives for years to come.

This post will outline the best practices of laying turf. We’ll show you how to strip your existing lawn, prepare the ground and after care.

REMOVE THE EXISTING GRASS AND PREPARE THE GROUND

If you’re in the position where you need to remove an existing lawn this can easily be done in a number of ways.

GRASS AND WEED KILLER

Use a non-selective grass and weed killer and treat the desired area. Always ensure you follow the brands recommended quantities for best results. If you choose this method I would advise doing it at least 10 – 14 days prior to laying the new turf. Remove any killed grass and weeds with a rake.

ROTAVATOR OR TURF CUTTER

Using a rotavator or turf cutter you can very easily cut away the old grass. These can be hired from most reputable hire shops. The waste can be recycled at a household waste centre.

PREPARING THE SURFACE

The aim is to create a level, flat and firm surface. Any stones, old grass or weeds including roots should be removed as much as possible. A few smaller stones left behind are generally not a problem and can be beneficial for drainage.

It is essential to rotavate the soil ideally to a depth of 6 inches but the same effect can be achieved using a spade or fork. Dependent on the quality of your soil you may want to add a topsoil to help improve the turf growing conditions. Adding topsoil here can also help ease working conditions.

Once you have rotavated the soil you should lightly compact it to create a more firm surface. This can be done by walking over the surface ensuring the finished result is even and level. Finally using a rake you want to lightly go over the soil, again ensuring it remains level throughout.

LAYING NEW TURF

While Gloucestershire Turf provide a laying service you can brave the challenge yourself. It is essential that you only order your new turf once you have finished the previous stages. Once turf is cut it needs to be put down as soon as possible. On delivery you do have a 24-36 hour window to get it in place but in ideal conditions the sooner the better. If you need to store any rolls of turf while you are working ensure they are in a cool and shady area out of direct sunlight.

When starting to lay the turf start at a straight edge of the garden from one end to the other making sure the ends of the turves are butted together leaving no gaps. To ensure good contact with the soil below lightly firm down using a plank of wood or the back end of a rake. On placing turves around angles it can simply be cut using a sharp knife or hand saw. Avoid walking on the turves as you lay it.

Use wooden boards as you work if the shape of your garden requires you to do so. If you have any gaps showing simply top them up with some topsoil to encourage the roots to spread.

AFTER CARE ESSENTIALS

For the first 7 days after putting down your new lawn you will need to water it for at least an hour a day. This is best done in the evening to avoid evaporation from the sunlight. It is advisable not to walk on it during this period while the roots are developing. For watering I would recommend using a sprinkler where possible. If weather is extremely dry in the weeks after it is recommended to continue regularly watering.

When mowing the lawn the first few times try not to cut more than 1/3 off the blades. Gradually over the next few cuts you can reduce the height to the desired level. 

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Gloucestershire Turf have been providing our turf and landscaping smarts to the region for a generation. Through that time we’ve witnessed seasonal extremes including droughts and record rainfall. This post is dedicated to managing a water logged lawn.

In 2007 Gloucestershire witnessed “The Floods”. A spell of unrelenting summer rain culminating 78mm of rainfail on July 20th. This period of history is now bookmarked as the wettest June and July since records began in 1776.

The weather of Spring 2018 was another historic chapter in Gloucestershire weather patterns and for landscaping companies. It was the wettest April in over a decade. Turf fields were been deluged by rain, followed by snow and yet more rain again. This has resulted in a backlog of orders as our clients have patiently waited for conditions to improve so we can execute your orders.

Aeration, Footfall and Recovery

A water logged lawn occurs when water sits on the surface of the soil and drains slowly and in some cases not at all. Once the water settles, oxygen is unable to penetrate the roots. The result is a lawn that is unable to grow and susceptible to turf diseases.

Our goal here is to aid drainage so that your lawn can absorb oxygen and sunlight again. Our first step is to aerate, or pierce the surface, of your lawn. While there are many devices on the market for this, including aeration boots, a trusty garden rake will suffice.

As the weather clears and the water disperses be sure to keep footfall on the lawn to a minimum. Spot check the lawn to remove any debris and any over traits of turf diseases. If you’re is in a state of dis-repair you may consider stripping the surface and laying a new bed of turf.

It’s worth noting that water logging, even under moderate rainfall, can often be caused by poor landscaping. Before turf or seeding your new lawn the soil needs to be adequately prepared to ensure there is adequate drainage. This is particularly important when dealing clay or heavily compacted soils.

Does your lawn need rehab or do you need to start afresh? If you’re in doubt, please contact our team of turf suppliers in Gloucestershire. Our landscapers are friendly, helpful and go the extra yard to ensure the job is completed to your satisfaction.

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Will turf become established in the winter?

Should we wait until the spring?

Are just a few of the questions we field from our clients. In reality, turf can be ordered throughout the year. The only exceptions are heavy flooding or snow. That said, for your turf to become established and healthy you need to apply lawn care fundamentals. This post is dedicated to winter lawn care. Visit our homepage to learn more about our services. 

Your Lawns ‘Off-Season’. When Less Is More …

Whether your lawn has been freshly laid, or it’s braving its first winter, you need to customize your approach for the season in hand. Winter is your lawns ‘off season’.

Mowing Height

Much like hair, during the summer grass growth accelerates and slows during the winter. As Autumn comes to a close reduce your mowing height to its minimum setting. Long blades trap moisture and create an environment that fosters fungal disease. 

Hydration

Unless your lawn has just been laid, watering your lawn isn’t necessary over the winter months.  If your lawn has just been laid, you should use a hosepipe or sprinkler for up to an hour a day. This aside, you should allow mother natures cool temperatures and rainfall to take care of the rest.

Aeration

Aerification is the practice of using a garden fork to pierce your lawn. This process is used to reduce compaction, aid drainage and allow oxygen to penetrate the roots. This process is generally beneficial through the year. However, in winter aeration should be applied sparingly. And avoided as temperatures drop. 

Scarify

Scarification is gardening parlance for raking and removing debris from the lawn bed. Left to fester branches, leaves and moss can cause thatching and become a breeding ground for disease. Carry out regular spot checks on your garden and remove these debris. 

Regardless of whether you’re managing a pre-existing lawn, or if you’re reading these words after your turf is freshly laid, these winter lawn care tips will guide you. Winter lawn-care needn’t be aggressive, but it is vital for enduring lawn health.

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Long after the job is done, www.GloucestershireTurf.co.uk receive lawn care inquiries from clients. While we offer our garden maintenance service by request, our Four Seasons Lawn Care series is dedicated to clients who wish to brave the challenge themselves. 

In recent years the South West has witnessed seasonal extremes. From record rainfall to droughts this series will show how to manage your lawn … Whatever the weather.

How Low Should I Mow?

Rousing your lawn to it’s best is a seasonal affair. Failure to apply best practices during the winter will adversely affect your lawn during summer. Just as a student who crams at the last will labour and fold in exams, a gardener who neglects his lawn will suffer. 

Managing your lawn during the summer is based on effective hydration, aeration and mowing height.  

How often should I water my lawn?

Once turf is laid, we recommend watering your lawn for an hour a day. For the rest of the year, however, this would be excessive. During the summer watering no more than two or three times a week for twenty to thirty minutes is advisable.

That said, your should monitor conditions daily and adjust your approach accordingly. Signs your lawn is ready for water include wilting blades and discolouration.

How I often should I aerate?

Aeration is also referred to as aerification. It is the act of using a trusty garden fork to penetrate the earth, allowing air and water to circulate the roots. Doing this will also reduce compaction and enhance drainage. 

To aerate effectively you should puncture the ground firmly every 4 to 6 inches. Some gardeners refuse to aerate their lawns at all during the summer. However, with variable conditions during the British summer, we can apply this practice at our discretion.

Aeration is best practiced during cool seasons or weather conditions. It should not be executed at times of high heat or drought. 

How low should I set my mower?

It’s a little known fact that your lawn will grow faster during the summer months. That said, you should resist the temptation of lowering your mowers height a notch …

… In fact, you should raise it.  

Mowing too low will risk scorching the earth resulting in dehydration. Raising your mower a notch, up to 3 inches, provides insulation and protects your lawn.  

A word on grass clippings …

It isn’t always necessary to remove grass clippings. Mulching can prevent a loss of moisture from the roots and soil. However, clippings are best removed if the blades are too long or if a pre-existing turf disease is present.

Whether you want your green to be held in the same as esteem as the grass courts of Wimbledon, or you simply want a hard wearing lawn for the family to enjoy, we hope you’ve found this article helpful. Please share your questions and thoughts below. 

Contact Us With Your Questions …

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Topsoil is just as the name implies; soil that usually consists of the top two to six inches of ground cover. Generally, it is added to an area of a garden to increase the quality of the soil that is already present. The process of creating a healthy topsoil is done by having the contaminants such as rocks and sticks, removed. By mixing compost with this clean topsoil and then adding to the soil already present, the gardener can make a healthy growing environment for their plants.

Different Grades Of Soil

It’s important to realize that not all topsoil is the same. Some mixtures will be good for flower beds, but not for vegetable gardens. There are no federal regulations that govern what can or cannot be included in a topsoil mix. Because of this, the gardener should do some research to ensure that the mixture they are buying is suited to their needs. Also important to note is that some topsoil compositions from farms may contain traces of pesticides.

Although topsoil plays an important role is the ground quality, it is still be necessary to treat the area with fertilizer and lime in order to create the optimum growing environment. By mixing compost and manure with the topsoil the gardener can ensure healthy plant growth.

The type of topsoil needed depends greatly on the condition and contents of the soil that is already present. For those areas that have a lot of clay in them, topsoil made with sand is needed for water to drain properly. Water that becomes stagnant will increase the chances of illness and disease. If the mixture of sand and topsoil is imbalanced, the water may drain improperly which will lead to the much needed soil nutrients being lost. By fertilizing the soil on a regular basis the gardener can ensure that their soil is as healthy as possible.

On the other hand, a topsoil made up of clay should be used in the instance the soil contains too much sand. As noted, this imbalance causes a loss of much needed nutrients in the soil. Sandy topsoil is much easier to spread than that made of clay, however, the benefits to soil make it worth the extra effort.

We understand that topsoil, properly prepared, makes the best growing environment for all types of plants. However, topsoil is the best choice for use with flower beds, turf and newly planted grass seeds. Using topsoil is not recommended for container gardens. The best choice for this type of planting is potting soil.

While plants can grow most anywhere, the healthiest plants are grown in properly prepared soil. By determining what type of soil is already present, the gardener can add the right mix of top soil to create a healthy garden to grow their plants and vegetables. Visit our topsoil page @ http://gloucestershireturf.co.uk/topsoil-gloucestershire/ to learn more about our grades and services. 

Any Questions? Contact The Lawn Pros Today …

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