Removed the grass, ready for laying new turf - what next?

Terrysdelight

Hi there

I've just removed all of the grass from my small lawn - it was in very bad state of repair.

I now want to dig the earth over but it is rock solid - can anyone recommend a way of softening the earth a bit so that I can dig it?

Once this has been done, what sort of earth do I order to put down before fertilzer and turfs.

Many thanks
Terri

webwalker

If you are going to returf it why dig it over?
I can see some reasoning if you were going to sow a new lawn but to lay turfs on it you just need it level, you dont need fertilizer under the turfs no roots to take it up, apply fertilizer on top of grass and water down. If you need to level the area put drainage holes in with a garden fork and level with horticultural sand for drainage, new turfs need soaking when laid and everyday for at least a week after that. unless you get a good downpour.

Terrysdelight

webwalker wrote: »

If you are going to returf it why dig it over?
I can see some reasoning if you were going to sow a new lawn but to lay turfs on it you just need it level, you dont need fertilizer under the turfs no roots to take it up, apply fertilizer on top of grass and water down. If you need to level the area put drainage holes in with a garden fork and level with horticultural sand for drainage, new turfs need soaking when laid and everyday for at least a week after that. unless you get a good downpour.

Hi there

It's extremely uneven and very high. I need to be able to dig it to lower the level.

Sorry, I don't understand about the leveling with horticultural sand. Could you explain for me?

Also, it is far too high on one side, and some how I've got to dig it to remove the earth. If I put fork holes in the water with the hose, will that soften the earth up for digging?

Many thanks.
Terri

PS as you can probably guess, haven't a clue about gardening!!

Incisor

Just fork it over. Start a little hole, about a fork round near a corner. Then fork away from the hole in a straight line keeping the fork prong impression at an angle to the line you are digging. When you have done a row, start a new row similar to thelast, except you don't need to start a new hole. Like this:

0///////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////

Just put the fork in full depth about 8cm away from where you put it last time, and wiggle it to break away the 8cm as a slice, put that into the space you have dug and break it up with the fork.

HTH

webwalker

Terrysdelight wrote: »

Hi there

It's extremely uneven and very high. I need to be able to dig it to lower the level.

Sorry, I don't understand about the leveling with horticultural sand. Could you explain for me?

Also, it is far too high on one side, and some how I've got to dig it to remove the earth. If I put fork holes in the water with the hose, will that soften the earth up for digging?

Many thanks.
Terri

PS as you can probably guess, haven't a clue about gardening!!

OK you want to lower the level of it, first you need to determine the level you want it to be, bear in mind that all the soil you move has to go somewhere so its best to use a cut and fill method, that is remove the high spots and put them in the low spots. Identify where you need to remove the soil then use incisors method for loosening it or you could use a mattock pick if you have one. the ground needs to be compacted again before you lay anything, if its only a small area put boards around the perimitter at the level you want this will make it easier for you to get it level across the whole.

Nice job for a chilly autumn day.

Terrysdelight

webwalker wrote: »

OK you want to lower the level of it, first you need to determine the level you want it to be, bear in mind that all the soil you move has to go somewhere so its best to use a cut and fill method, that is remove the high spots and put them in the low spots. Identify where you need to remove the soil then use incisors method for loosening it or you could use a mattock pick if you have one. the ground needs to be compacted again before you lay anything, if its only a small area put boards around the perimitter at the level you want this will make it easier for you to get it level across the whole.

Nice job for a chilly autumn day.

Many thanks.