Turf

[maddog]

Need to lay some turf in the garden, anyone done it before and if so is it easy?

 

Also any recommendations on where to buy turf or company to use to lay it?

 

Thanks :-)

[trousers]

Sod that

[Special K]

It's quite simple, just make sure to peg it at the edges and keep it watered well.

 

If you don't need an instant lawn, you could try seeding the area as that will be a lot cheaper and (i think) now is a good time.

[iansums]

Need to lay some turf in the garden, anyone done it before and if so is it easy?

 

Also any recommendations on where to buy turf or company to use to lay it?

 

Thanks :-)

 

Well if I can do it then anyone can. It is a really simple but very satisfying job. In the morning you've got a load of mud in the garden and at the end of the day a beautiful lawn. The important thing is not to rush into it and spend as much time preparing the soil first. If you can get a decent layer of top soil on there then do so. There are bound to be a few useful websites giving you the specifics.

[mdearlove]

B&Q grass is fine for low footfall areas - no good if you have a dog though.

[Patrick Bateman]

Need to lay some turf in the garden, anyone done it before and if so is it easy?

 

Also any recommendations on where to buy turf or company to use to lay it?

 

Thanks :-)

 

Turf?? No - seed it.

 

Dig up the old turf/ground and flatten down, put a generous layer of lawn soil down and mix in some grass seeds with more lawn soil on top of that. You'll have a nice, flat lawn in no time.

 

As I'm rock 'n roll, I spent yesterday preparing half my lawn for exactly that!

[pap]

I used to work on a web-site which sells turf direct to consumers.

 

http://www.onlineturf.co.uk/

 

Good boys - they'll see you right on cheap turf. Think the site also contains vids, etc, showing you how to sort it all out. They also sell pretty much anything else you might need for a garden.

[Jillyanne]

Just had our garden completely re-turfed, I would post before and after pics if I knew how!!!

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

I laid some turf down last year. Looked at Garden Centre/Online options but in the end went for B&Q. It had been delivered to the store that day and so was pretty fresh - I'd avoid buying if it's been there a while and/or showing signs of drying up. Once laid water often and keep foot traffic to a minimum.

 

Having said all that, given the time of year it might be a lot easier to seed it.

[pap]

Just had our garden completely re-turfed, I would post before and after pics if I knew how!!!

 

Generally, the trick is to take a photo before, then take another one afterward.

 

/ducks

[SO16_Saint]

i did this last summer - dug up a good foot+ of concrete, laid down a few tons of dirt, and laid shed loads of turf.

 

looks the nuts now.

 

we used Hampshire Turf i think theyre called - on the chilworth road past the clump on the right, and before the golf course.

[maddog]

Just had our garden completely re-turfed, I would post before and after pics if I knew how!!!

 

Who laid it for you? Looking for someone really as im a bit lazy!

[dingbattigger]

Sod that

 

New keyboard please trousers

[toofarnorth]

I'd get it done quick before a hose pipe ban kicks in!

[Jillyanne]

Who laid it for you? Looking for someone really as im a bit lazy!

 

PM me your e-mail and I will send you the pics and contact details of the landscaper I used.

[Ken Tone]

No idea where to buy roind here , but have turfed a lawn or two in my various homes.

 

As someone else has said, the more preparation you can do the better ...and that is where you will score over a professional, who will not care so much about the long term effect as the immediate satisfied customer one, whereas you presumably will care about how good it will look in a year or two's time. Get the surface soil as flat and fine, and as free of stones, as you can bring yourself to do.

 

My 2 top tips then: 1. Use an old bread knife or similar to trim turfs to size /shape. 2. Use a plank, old floor board or similar, to walk on the bits you've just laid as you work. This will stop you leaving huge footprint holes and also help bed the turfs in evenly. (I'm assuming you don't have a large but relatively light roller)

[Hamilton Saint]

Three important points:

 

1) add a layer of top soil before you lay the turf;

2) lay the turf down like you're bricklaying (overlapping and staggering);

3) keep the lawn well-watered for a week or two until the roots are well developed.

Edited 26 March, 2012 by Hamilton Saint

[Window Cleaner]

Three important points:

 

1) add a layer of top soil before you lay the turf;

2) lay the turf down like you're bricklaying (overlapping and staggering);

3) keep the lawn well-watered for a week or two until the roots are well dveloped.

 

and above all...GREEN SIDE UP

[dune]

Good turf makes a far better lawn than seed, but laying turf is an art. You need a fairly long plank to work on i.e lay a roll and then lay plank on newly layed strip and work on that. You could also do with a wacker plate (that's what I call it) which is basically roll width square bit of wood attached to a poll to go along the newly laid turn to firm it down. DO NOT EVER WALK ON NEWLY LAID TURF as you'll just get indentations. Needless to say prepare the ground well and rake it level. firm it with the wacker plater, rake it again etc because you want it flat and even. My advice would be to pay someone who knows what they're doing to do it for you tbh. For the sake of a few quid you'll have a decent job done.

[pedg]

Put down artificial grass (a.k.a. astroturf) on our lawn and have not regretted it. No mowing and kids can play on it year round without treading in mud or ruining it.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Put down artificial grass (a.k.a. astroturf) on our lawn and have not regretted it. No mowing and kids can play on it year round without treading in mud or ruining it.

Tried to persuade my missus to go down this route but she was having none of it. Our garden is small and north facing which means it gets no sun for six months a year. Will be fine by June but it's really patchy now and that's with practically zero traffic over the winter.

[Scummer]

Tried to persuade my missus to go down this route but she was having none of it. Our garden is small and north facing which means it gets no sun for six months a year. Will be fine by June but it's really patchy now and that's with practically zero traffic over the winter.

 

Are you me? I could have written that exact same post, word for word.

[Jillyanne]

Are you me? I could have written that exact same post, word for word.

 

Yes

[pedg]

Tried to persuade my missus to go down this route but she was having none of it. Our garden is small and north facing which means it gets no sun for six months a year. Will be fine by June but it's really patchy now and that's with practically zero traffic over the winter.

 

This is ours just after I installed it a couple of years ago.

 

 

The building at the end is shed/home cinema/playroom/sleepover bedroom (it has its own WC) so get lots of traffic back and forth. The area at the end is in almost constant shade and was always very mossy when it was real grass.

[dune]

This is ours just after I installed it a couple of years ago.

 

 

The building at the end is shed/home cinema/playroom/sleepover bedroom (it has its own WC) so get lots of traffic back and forth. The area at the end is in almost constant shade and was always very mossy when it was real grass.

 

Some fanned fruit trees would make that wall look better.

[pedg]

Some fanned fruit trees would make that wall look better.

 

Son and friends often play kickabout on it which is why I took it up to the wall to allow them more space, plus less things to get damaged!

[maddog]

Son and friends often play kickabout on it which is why I took it up to the wall to allow them more space, plus less things to get damaged!

 

Fancy doing mine?

[pedg]

Fancy doing mine?

 

Err, no thanks! Its quite similar to laying paving really. Get a nice level base of sand then just put the artificial turf on top. Ours you then raked in some dried sand that makes it more realistic and helps hold it down.

[dune]

Son and friends often play kickabout on it which is why I took it up to the wall to allow them more space, plus less things to get damaged!

 

In that case have you considered cementing in a row of bricks level with the lawn for easy mowing?

[pedg]

In that case have you considered cementing in a row of bricks level with the lawn for easy mowing?

 

I suspect that mowing astroturf could be a mistake?!

[Jillyanne]

I suspect that mowing astroturf could be a mistake?!

 

[dune]

I suspect that mowing astroturf could be a mistake?!

 

I thought it looked a nice green lawn.

[John Boy Saint]

I know someone.........................

 

http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/ipswich_the_lawn_raiders_turf_luck_for_grandad_after_thieves_pinch_his_front_garden_1_1332398

 

Funnily enough I spotted this while going to pay for fuel in Ipswich this afternoon!