Turf war

[Dave Potts]

She Who Must Be Obeyed is on her hols for the next 3 weeks and I thought I'd take advantage of her absence to do up the garden. I'm thinking of re-turfing and was wondering if any fellow Abers had any experience of this and could provide any useful pointers such as where to buy it, how to lay it and who I can call to fix it when it all goes the shape of an extremely large Pear. Invites to the inevitable garden party, et cetera et cetera...and if anyone fancies coming round to paint the fence and the shed...

[Today's]

I know someone who lays the odd sod or two.

[kwd1954]

The key factor is preparation and there is no way to lay turf quickly or cheaply or you are honestly wasting time and money. Been there bought T shirt etc !! make sure ground is throughly cultivated with a rotavator. get rid of all stones and then rake and ensure as level as poss. Then have a layer of peat and / or fertiliser and rake again.(also make sure soil is well drained hence rotavator will help.). Rake again to mix soil and fertiliser and then roll with garden roller. If it looks "lumpy just rake over the high / low bits and repeat. When rolled, just lightly rake so that the turf will take hold of the base earth. Then lay and water every night for about two weeks. You should take about 3 days to prepare the ground well. Laying the turf takes only a fraction of the time but is well worth it. Don't forget to water well. If you don't and sun is strong, it will scorch and burn. You should have a cracking lawn in about a month. By the way mine's a guinness !!

[kwd1954]

Also Dave, contact a local turf grower who will cut and deliver the turf on the day you want it. DON'T get it from stores like B&Q etc since it could be lying about for days and then you are creating a problem from day one.

[Mattk]

turf laying is a piece of **** preparation is the key but once the area has been flattened,laying is easy tip:overlap turf edges by approx 1"(previous poster mightve said this but couldnt be arsed to read !)

[woofgang]

and don't forget green side up

[smudge]

Don't forget to water it every day!

[Dave Potts]

Thanks for all the offerings everyone (especially kwd1954 - I shall raise a frosty one to you on the day). Green side up, green side up, green side up....

[sddsddean]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Search/Question46843-7.asp?Pa ge=1&SearchText=turf

[Philtaz]

Also, if you're going to lay it yourself make sure you've got a large plank of wood like a scaffolding plank. Avoid walking on the lawn for up to 4-6 weeks.

[paulz]

Probably nothing you don't know/haven't been told but try this link click, then select Outside, scroll down to new turf

[rinkytink]

The good old beeb has plenty of advice and step by step guides here:

AUNTY BEEBS TOP TURF TIPS

[paulie]

I never went through any of this rigmarole. What you do is pay the bloke who you're buying the turf from the extra hundred nicker he charges for laying the stuff for you. Sit on your patio, pull the ring off a few cold ones and watch some one else sweat their spuds off instead of you. Then when the gaffer gets back in 3 weeks tell her you did it. hey presto...instant hero and you did ****** all.....you can thank me later

[hockle]

I've always found an old breadknife useful. That and my best friend marrying a landscape gardener.....