Layinglawn

[potiche]

Our grass is so unhealthy & mossy because there is hardly any topsoil so it is basically growing on sand. We have scarified, Scraped moss away & fertilised but haven't managed to make any sustained improvement in the lawn
If we lay turf on top the existing lawn, will the old lawn become a sort of nutritional layer for the new turf?

[TonyV]

no if your old lawn is not growing - your new one will not - if you say sand then you need to dig out and put some topsoil in first - probably 6" then returf on top of that

[potiche]

So, the idea that the existing lawn would start composting itself to create an organic layer, isn't going to happen? ? We thought we could also introduce some worms under the new turf.
How about stripping the lawn & turning it upside down then topping with worms & turf?

[TonyV]

potiche - will not work - strip the old grass - you can compost it - but you really need to add some topsoil - will find you a link - the worms will come naturally

[TonyV]

Pot - although this is an advert - not for a company I have anything to do with - but can recommend thier turf - it will give you some idea of what you need to do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdomzmkriBk&feature=player_detailpage#t=413s

[potiche]

Thanks Tony, that's looking like hard work & we can't raise 6" without adding edging so that's more work. Maybe we should say goodbye to grass!

[carlton23]

Have you tried spreading loads of compost over it and digging it in, then leveling and re-seeding?

[TonyV]

pot - you may have to take some soil out - then add some topsoil - certainly not just add 6" of soil ontop of your lawn - maybe get some quotes to let someone do it for you - it is not that pricey

[landscaper2]

What sort of area are we talkng about? A halfway measure would be to kill off the existing lawn with Roundup to get rid of nasty grasses and pereniel weeds. Rotavate this into the the top 4" or 5". Add maybe 3" good loamy soil and rotavate this in again. Consolidate by trampling, rake/grade and I reckon it would improve your soil enough to give your lawn a reasonable chance with the usual fertilizer/weekiller/watering applications.

[boxtops]

We had part of our garden down to grass which was a poor and lumpy lawn. We dug it all up and put it down to gravel and slabs - not to everyone's liking, but we'll never have to mow the lawn again.