Best lawn solution

danrv

Hi
My property has quite a small lawn but there’s an odd paved area at the back edge. The slabs aren’t laid very well and there’s sand and stones underneath.
There’s a shed base to the right which I’ll use but I’d like to lay some lawn in place of the slabs.
Just wondering if turf is best or grass seed and if it would it all need doing.
Any help appreciated.

neilmcl

Take up the slabs, dig it out and put some top soil in, then plants. Maybe some trellis and climbers to go up the fence.

twopenny

I'd go for turf. Seed takes ages to grow, spring breeding birds love the seed and it's already getting very dry. It will also be a lot of hard work getting the surface just right.

I'd also get some weed and feed on the current grass and use a border fork to stab in at 6" intervals to get some air into it.

I'd be inclined to wait to returf the older stuff. It will need watering through the summer. A small area not so bad but the whole lawn it's going to be time consuming unless you get a sprinkler and we don't get a hose pipe ban.

danrv

twopenny said:

I'd go for turf. Seed takes ages to grow, spring breeding birds love the seed and it's already getting very dry. It will also be a lot of hard work getting the surface just right.

I'd also get some weed and feed on the current grass and use a border fork to stab in at 6" intervals to get some air into it.

I'd be inclined to wait to returf the older stuff. It will need watering through the summer. A small area not so bad but the whole lawn it's going to be time consuming unless you get a sprinkler and we don't get a hose pipe ban.

Thanks. Turf looks a good idea and agree, the birds will be scoffing the seeds.
Looking at the B&Q video guide, I’ll need to wait a few weeks after digging over. No rush though.
Just need to get a decent border fork.

princeofpounds

For a smallish garden like yours turf is great. But don't skimp on the preparation underneath just because you're covering it up, it will be key to how the turf settles in and sustains itself. You should turn over and break up your soil, 10-15cm deep if you can - compaction is a killer for grass. Mix in organic matter as your soil looks rather poor, something like this - https://www.fieldcompost.co.uk/store/products/organic-fine-grade-lawn-dressing, and/or a compost/sandy topsoil mix if appropriate.  Makes it easier to achieve a good depth of uncompacted soil too. Your garden will swallow more than you think. 


Birds scoff seeds at all times of year! But that's not a problem for seeds, they rarely make an impact unless you've been very mean with your distribution. Seeds are great when you're doing huge areas and turf is just too expensive. Or for overseeding existing lawns.

Grenage

I'd probably seed, but it's been quite dry so it would need regular watering.  You always need to go heavy on the seed anyway; as they say:

One for the Rook, one for the Crow, one to rot, and one to grow.

danrv

I’ve cleared the weeds from the paved area and lifted a few slabs. 
There’s a good eight inches of dense stones, brick and sand underneath which is hard work to dig out.
No sign of any soil yet.

danrv

Have taken around twenty bags of rubble to the tip. There’s a lot of it and quite hard work.
A few to go yet as there’s still too much and not deep enough for topsoil.
I may leave an area of slabs in the corner, depending how much hardcore underneath.
The path will go too.

Mistral001

There is a lot of hardcore there, but getting it all out is the only way to get a lawn that is even and will stay even in the long term in my view.   Compacting the soil that replaces it sufficiently will be important.  Compact in layers of about two inches thick using your feet which will take time, but it will be quicker, and cheaper, than getting a roller or vibrator.  Once compacted, rotavate the whole lawn and sow.  Put nets over it  if you are worried about the birds. Poundland usually sell them.    

FreeBear

8" or 200mm of hardcore is a good solid base for a patio - That has been done well... Depending on the size of the area, I would have suggested hiring a mini-digger plus operator for the day (£250 or so) and getting the spoil hauled away by a grab lorry (another £200). How much you value your time could make it worthwhile.

But now that you have done much of the work yourself, the slabs will have some value if they are in good nick.

danrv

FreeBear said:

8" or 200mm of hardcore is a good solid base for a patio - That has been done well... Depending on the size of the area, I would have suggested hiring a mini-digger plus operator for the day (£250 or so) and getting the spoil hauled away by a grab lorry (another £200). How much you value your time could make it worthwhile.

But now that you have done much of the work yourself, the slabs will have some value if they are in good nick.

No access for a digger unfortunately. I’ve started to lift some of the others and so far there isn’t the heavy duty stuff like in the foreground.
Not sure why this has been laid as there’s a patio at the back of the house.