After three to four weeks growth, add fertilizer to the lawn. Order 5% more turf than you think you need, nothing worse then short ordering. If the area being covered is uneven or has poor quality soil, you will need to add more top soil for the new turf to bed into - this will cost around £30 per m2. 2-24 hours mow at lvl 1-shortest poss. With outdoor projects, it happens frequently, whether you are installing a front pathway, digging a garden pond, laying cable for landscape path lights, installing a fence, or just about anything else. Strip off any old grass / weed by digging underneath the turf to lift off the grass plus about 1.6 inches of soil. Solarization does kill some beneficial organisms. Laying sod is hard work, so it’s no wonder why people are always hunting for a shortcut when they’re installing a fresh lawn. It seems high to me but not sure whats the average for this type of job. The first thing to do is clear the area where your new lawn is going to be laid or sown. Aim for soil that isn’t dense and will allow seeds to grow. Make sure your first mow … Prepare the area, levelling the ground and removing big stones. A rotavator or tiller will be useful at this stage to break the soil into a fine tilth. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You should remove every last piece of plant material from the area. Check the soil for insect larvae and deal with any you find before you reseed or plant. Spread a general-purpose fertiliser over the ground one week before laying the turf. A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. It’s less expensive, but it’s a lot more labor. Pull up any weeds or stones you come across. Use a drop-spreader to distribute the seeds. Remove any new weeds … Herbicides containing glyphosate are a wise choice. Learn this easy method of how to remove grass; by hand using a shovel. In general, it's a lot faster and easier to use a drop or broadcast spreader to seed your new lawn. Laying sod is hard work, so it’s no wonder why people are always hunting for a shortcut when they’re installing a fresh lawn. Mix in a good amount of fertiliser and/or compost to improve your turf’s growth prospects. The surface would be too lumpy and uneven for the gravel to be laid down properly and as the turf decomposes, the landscape fabric will get even bumpier. Trim the grass on your lawn if it’s too long. Turf Prep & Installation; DIY Turf Laying Guide. Try again! Remove any new weeds … Dig For Victory; Monthly Guides & Commentary. Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. This can be done with either a spade or for larger areas you can hire a turf cutter from your local hire shop. Click on another answer to find the right one... Not quite! Lay in a cross bonded pattern like house bricks. Before you lay any new turf it’s essential to remove any grass that you already have in your garden. You should always prepare the ground properly before laying a new lawn. Cover it with layers of cardboard or newspaper (use black ink; colored ink could contain metals). So what should you do with the leaves, roots and other debris that you’ve dug up? This lawn was little more than a mass of weeds because the type of grass that had been planted found it hard to cope with the dry conditions. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others. Following all of these simple steps will ensure that your garden remains looking healthy throughout the year, no matter what the weather throws at it. Scrape off and remove your old turf using a turf cutter or a bobcat. % of people told us that this article helped them. Turf laid in spring often needs watering in dry spells over summer. Just make sure your dirt is even before you apply the sod, and use a lawn roller afterward. So, in theory, it makes sense to simply mow your lawn short and lay new sod right over the existing lawn. It’s best to go over a bit to cover cutting around curves . Steep sloping lawns present problems for the smother method. Often this means digging up and disposing of an existing lawn. Two of the best ways to replace an old lawn with a new one are planting with seeds, or laying down grass that comes in strips of sod. I have a patch of turf in our garden that I need to remove to make a flowerbed. When to lay turf. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. When you are using herbicides, try to read and follow the manufacturer’s guideline to the latter. Our bestselling books for growing success! Jeremy Yamaguchi. An old, patchy lawn doesn't need to be ripped up before the lovely new sod is put in place. How Much to Remove Old Turf. Follow all safety instructions when using herbicide. This might require skip hire, which can cost between £150 and £300. This video teaches how to remove preexisting lawn using a sod cutter. Water well and allow the new grass to grow to several inches before mowing. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others. When laying new turf, you should thoroughly prepare the soil to make your lawn as healthy as possible, but by laying it on top of grass you can't do this. The laying of new turf on old turf compared to grass seed. Since your lawn has a fixed area, it'll always take the same amount of sod to cover it. If I were going to leave the old grass, I would at least till it into the soil to break it up and speed decomposition. Sodded grass cuts back significantly on the time you have to wait for your new lawn to replace your old. Even if you are removing a significant depth of soil it’s a good idea to use a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate (Roundup) with a couple of applications to kill as much of the existing grass as possible. Removing grass can expose pest problems you didn't know you had. Once the new Sir Walter buffalo lawn was established, some simple rules were followed to keep the grass in optimum shape. Make sure the area you are looking to lay turf on is suitable. Drop spreaders are great for evenly spreading seeds around small- to medium-sized lawns. You can also use the inverted sod to make high places on your lawn or to fill in low places. Smothering your lawn will block light and prevent photosynthesis, killing the grass and weeds. Use a landscaping rake if the grading adjustments are minor. Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. Get rid of the old turf debris. This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. How to Remove Old Buffalo Grass Lawn. Where disturbed soil, such as old flower beds, are being turfed, the new turf should be laid slightly higher than the rest to prevent a hollow developing as the soil settles. It will block the sun and prevent photosynthesis. The soil is now ready for planting. I'm very comfortable with DIY but gardens are not something I have any experience of! The aim being to remove as much of the old matted root system as possible. Seeded grass is cheaper and can be more dependable. But not as much as a seeded lawn. 21 January 2019. Rake to remove dead weeds, or repeat application everyday for stubborn or tenacious weeds until they die. [1] X Research source Mow the grass closely. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. And this, like any other landscape fabric, cannot be placed directly over a lawn. By: Derek Trimble. There’s a better option out there! Search our blog for news, ... or indeed in laying wild flower turf – is to remove the old vegetation. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Step 2 Exactly! Now it's time to choose your turf type. If you lay the sod out in the same direction, you'll have to make fewer cuts into the sod strips, but the overall amount of sod you use will be the same either way. Use shovels and garden rakes to remove what the sod-cutter can’t reach. But if your lawn has tight corners or other hard-to-reach areas, you should seed those by hand to ensure even distribution. Pat down the sod so that it’s flat against the soil beneath it. This preparation work is labour intensive and will be the primary cost of fitting artificial grass. – Start from scratch. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The downside to removing a lawn by mulching is that your lawn will look unsightly for two months while the lawn is breaking down. This device slices through the soil and grass to create an easy-to-remove roll. A plank attached to rope and dragged over is a great aid to levelling a larger lawn. If your slope is greater than that you might need to build a retaining wall. The results will most likely be short lived. Using a hoe or sod cutter will be easier if your lawn soil is moist. It also leads to other problems like soil compaction and doesn't remove any weeds or disease affecting the existing soil. Smother your lawn. If problems occur the lawn could have patchy spots. unlocking this expert answer. Alternately, you can use a flat shovel rather than a sod cutter. If rolled in different directions, your lawn will look uneven (at least at first), and the seams may be harder to lay with adjacent strips. Measure the square-footage of your lawn carefully so that you can order the right amount of sod. You should remove every last piece of plant material from the area. Use a rake to fill in the low areas on your lawn with soil from the high spots. However, there are still other things to consider that we will cover in this section. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Don’t cultivate the soil it too finely. A tradesperson will likely use machinery to remove the old turf and up to 20cm of soil, before preparing the ground for the fake grass. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. Choose another answer! Select the seed that works best for your lawn environment. This article has been viewed 296,393 times. Related To: Lawn Care. You could also invert the grass, cover it with several layers of newspaper, and then use it as compost for your new lawn. Read on for another quiz question. In either case, that's faster than smothering—or solarizing, for that matter. Lay new turf. A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. Removing Grass For Outdoor Projects . You want to have them as close together as possible, but still avoid overlap, because overlapping sod will make your lawn lumpy. Cover the inverted sod in 6 to 10 layers of newspaper. They're about $70.00 per day. Complications that can add to the overall cost of the project include taking up and removing old turf, or even old paving or decking if it is being replaced. How to Remove Old Grass for Planting New Seeds. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. If you’re looking to cut down on time, you may want to hire a digger to remove the existing turf/weeds/soil, as well as bringing the new topsoil across to the site. And this, like any other landscape fabric, cannot be placed directly over a lawn. Rotivate the dead lawn. Jeremy Yamaguchi is a Lawn Care Specialist and the Founder/CEO of Lawn Love, a digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening services. If you’re looking to cut down on time, you may want to hire a digger to remove the existing turf/weeds/soil, as well as bringing the new topsoil across to the site. You’ll want to avoid the soil crusting into a hard surface which prevents seeds from emerging. Some gardeners theorize that leaving a layer of grass beneath new sod affects the sod's ability to take root in the soil and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients, including the vital need for moisture. Can a weed-filled lawn be replaced by ajuga, clover or thyme without grass removal? Ensure your soil base is correct, a poor base means a poor lawn! Black plastic also works. Either choice will work to replace your old, patchy lawn with new grass. Measure and Order. Start by thoroughly raking the area paying attention to the level. Some of the main steps to follow include: Scarify the old lawn to remove matted growth including dead grass and moss. It’s vital that you address any issues before laying your new turf to … The size is 7mx3m and I was quoted £2 900 for the whole job inc waste removal. You should also make sure it’s laid within 24 hours of delivery in order to ensure it’s in the best condition. With badly waterlogged soils, this is your opportunity to install some land drains and a sump to take off excess water. While it is possible to lay turf on top of grass, it's not advised. Do not leave the sod in place if it contains undesirable weeds or invasive grasses. 6. Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. Three times the cost of seed, BUT with turf you get the top soil as well all in a roll. Then lightly rake over the surface, to loosen just the surface. Related To: Lawn Care. Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. The laying of new turf on old turf compared to grass seed. Sod is the best way to cover grass in southern states for grasses that can’t be grown from seed. Clover or zoysia are good choices. Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. Some gardeners theorize that leaving a layer of grass beneath new sod affects the sod's ability to take root in the soil and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients, including the vital need for moisture. This way, you won't have to work over your fresh new turf whilst tending to other jobs. 5. If it’s only a small area then it’s easy enough to use a spade to under-cut it but if you’re going to be laying turf over a large area then it will be a lot easier, quicker and less strenuous if you hire a turf stripper. Installing a new lawn yourself is easy. Start around the border, overlapping any rounded edges and trimming the excess turf once it’s all been laid. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Replace-an-Old-Lawn-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-an-Old-Lawn-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dd\/Replace-an-Old-Lawn-Step-2.jpg\/aid1756-v4-728px-Replace-an-Old-Lawn-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"