Always examine the roll of turf before buying - unroll a couple of turves, check that the grass is still lush and green, hold the end of a turf with both hands and give it a gentle shake, if the grass is yellowing or it falls apart don't buy it. Water the bare soil thoroughly. You can lay a new lawn from turf all year round, but spring and autumn are the best times to do it – with the soil warming up, or still warm from summer and, in a normal year, just the right amount of rain to help quick root establishment. Having an unfriendly pest infest your home, Fantastic Services is in the spotlight. Grass needs at least 6-8 inches of topsoil to be dug over before planting. What you are trying to achieve is a flat surface, any humps and hollows will detract from the finished lawn. How to Paint Varnished Wood [Everything You Need to Know]. If you want a level lawn hold a spirit level up against your string line and raise one end of the line accordingly. It’s better to add more topsoil instead of trying to dig out other areas to compensate. Then like any lawn, give it an inch of water a week, more during hot summer months. 29 Jul, 2011; Answers. When completed, make sure that you water the grass well. All rights reserved. You can lay a new lawn from turf all year round, but spring and autumn are the best times to do it – with the soil warming up, or still warm from summer and, in a normal year, just the right amount of rain to help quick root establishment. Insufficient water and overwatering are the leading causes of new-lawn failure. And solving is what we pride ourselves in doing. Sowing new grass seed over your existing lawn is known as overseeding. Leave this for about a week, or 8-10 days, and then firm up the ground. Further information on copyright law can be found on the Intellectual Property Office website in the UK or the United States Copyright Office website in the USA. Personally I've always used Rolawn (a local supplier should be in the Yellow Pages), I've never had any problem with them, the grass is always lush and weed free and the turves are easy to lay. Enjoyed this article? // -->. One of the most important things about laying gravel is the process of installing a weed membrane. You can dig up your turf and put the upside down turfs in some other area of the garden then prepare the soil on the old lawn area before laying new turf. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Issues with Installing Artificial Grass on Top of Natural Grass. In any case, there’s not necessarily a need to get out the old spirit level. It would also be very difficult to produce a good level surface. Following this, here’s what to expect when laying turf on turf: New turf put over old turf will grow if you water it well and maintain it. Deal with old sod. Seeded grass is cheaper and can be more dependable. When getting a delivery, check the turf before it is off-loaded, there are some unscrupulous people out there that will sell weed ridden, dead and dry turves to the unsuspecting. Cando Maintenance Services. Would we have to level the lawn with new dirt first and then plant new sod? Some lawncare experts shy away from applying sod over existing grass when they are concerned about the level of the sod in comparison with other surfaces. When it comes to the amount of topsoil to aim for, you’ll want to make sure that your new grass has at least 6 inches of decent topsoil underneath. Make sure there are no lumps or other obstructions. And this, like any other landscape fabric, cannot be placed directly over a lawn. We are approaching the best time of year to renovate cool-season grass lawns (Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Fescue). If the site is larger than this one, knock in stakes at 2m (6.5 ft.) intervals, in both directions, leveling them or make sure they follow your gradient. Would we have to level the lawn with new dirt first and then plant new sod? Hide search ... though the enthusiast may take two or three times longer over it! A fantastic way to get a new lawn in an instant is to lay one from scratch using turf. Laying turf is the easiest way to create a new lawn, giving you a lush new lawn in just a few hours. For more information, check out our privacy policy. Our front lawn was newly sodded in 2015. In our above lawn repair, we blended the old lawn and the new lawn by sodding only the sections where we had to … oh the area to be done is about 6000 ft For those with in-ground irrigation like in our example, we also had to raise sprinkler heads to accommodate the new lawn level. Planning your new lawn. The main problem with this job is that it can be difficult for the root system of your new lawn to grow in properly. Now that we've got the soil to a nice tilth, we are going to tread all over it!. Turf is pre-grown grass seed that's been cut from the ground with a slice of top soil. Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. Steragram . New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. You have put a lot of work into creating a new lawn, so don’t forget the most important step. It would be great to have a perfectly level, flat lawn, but the pavement to the front, path to one side and higher lawn next door prevent this. We just worry about air pockets and soft rotten areas where your old lawn is decomposing. After mowing, rake the lawn to help loosen the top layer of soil and remove any dead grass and debris. The old grass was a bit uneven too. You have just laid your fresh new lawn, now its time to look after it! Laying a new lawn The perfect time to lay a new lawn from scratch is early autumn, when the grass can root easily. website = "UKGardening"; Again, if you’re happy with the site as-is, the amount of levelling you’ll have to do might be zero! 29 Jul, 2011 . Our front lawn was newly sodded in 2015. 1. Do it right and it'll be easy to maintain; cut corners and you'll regret it! For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. Turf is normally sold in 1 square metre rolls (although check with your supplier so you don't under order), if you've measured your area in centimeters you'll have to convert it to square metres before ordering (100cm = 1m, 10,000cm2 = 1m2). Now, let’s look at some of the cons of putting fake grass over real grass. One of the most common question on gardening forums often is “Is it possible to lay new turf over the existing lawn?”. When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new … Follow our advice to help you lay turf and cultivate a pristine lawn. hate to have to till it or cut up whats there. If you have old grass or weeds, remove these before laying a new 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. If you’re wondering what to do with dug up grass, don’t throw it away. good maintenance may well do just a good a job as new turf, which will only be as good as the the old one next year if you dont look after it? After firming the soil, gently rake it over, just lifting out the footprints. AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last. Sodded grass cuts back significantly on the time you have to wait for your new lawn to replace your old. The method is the same for sowing lawn seed and laying turf. If you just turn it over and leave it on top the new turf will have nothing to root into and you could lose the lot. When faced with electrical problems, our hair might start standing on its end because this is such a tricky area for tho, We might not think about this very often, but our homes can sometimes contain a host of potential dangers to the safety, Thinking about painting your home, a room or furniture as a way of rejuvenating them and freshening them up? How to sow a new lawn or refresh an old one Get your lawn off to a great start by preparing the soil carefully. This will give the grass seed easy access to the soil so it can root more easily after germinating. All rights reserved. Oh – and pay extra attention to the edges of your new lawn. Try to stay off the new lawn for a few days. steph_129. Keep off the grass. There’s the associated packing, folding, moving, bo, It’s winter time and you’re wondering how to organise your wardrobe so that your favourite summer clothes are put aw, Whether you’re moving house or are planning to relocate abroad, there are numerous factors to take into account in you, An insect infestation is the last thing you want to deal with. Oh – and pay extra attention to the edges of your new lawn. “All sod must make soil contact to root,” she points out. Garden weeds are unwanted annual or perennial plants that limit desirable plants from growing vigorously because of the strong competition they offer for soil moisture and nutrients. Replacing old lawn with new lawn. If you have existing grass, lift this and stack upside down in an unused area of the garden, after a year this will turn into a lovely loam that can be used in the garden. Laying a new lawn is hard work and more expensive than sowing seed, but it gives an instant, lush looking lawn as soon as you've finished. 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. by Austin Gordon. Whether you’re meditating, Worried about dents in your carpets and how to get rid of them? They’ll dry out quicker than the middle. Grass that eventually stops to grow, withers and dies. can i cut it as low as possible spray the entire area with round up cover all with 2-3 inches of topsoil roll and level then lay sod or hydroseed? If you are seeding onto bare soil, this is not a problem to use a regular lawn spreader. I have a customer that wants a new lawn. If you already have a lawn area that you’re happy with, there are some ground preparation steps you can skip. The other frequently asked question is “Can you lay grass on concrete?“. However, they cling to the hope that they will not have to do all that digging and barrowing, but will be able to plonk down the new f… can i turn my present lawn over then lay new turf on top. '); Can we lay new sod over existing lawn? We have electronic mechanisms in place to alert us to cases of plagiarism, and will not hesitate to use the legal system under English law to recover costs and damages from offenders. This ensures that there aren't any voids in the topsoil. Kind regards, steph . Rolls of lawn turf cost just a few pounds each and usually comprise a mix of hard-wearing perennial rye grasses. Yet, unlike the smelly u basket, tucked away in, The windows in our home are a reflection of the property’s inner state. Killing existing weeds prior to laying sod increases the chances of the grass establishing itself and growing healthy. Cut the edges of the excess sod immediately with a lawn edger. Add an additional 5% extra for wastage. Newly laid turf must always remain moist and unless conditions are very wet it will need watering twice per day for approximately 3-4 weeks. If you’re not sure, gently lift one corner of turf to make sure the soil is good and damp. The short answer is that it’s not a good idea. That being so, I still find myself grinding down a small tree stump every few months. Wrap one end of a line of string around a brick and sit it on another, do the same at the other end of the plot. This will happen in two parts, with you doing the second part at least a week after the first. Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a mechanized tiller to break up the grass and its root system. Be the first to hear about our exclusive offers and discounts. Minimize play and foot traffic on new and sodded lawns for at least three weeks. If you only put a thin layer of soil down, the old weeds and grass will through your soil. Offering discounted services and providing special offer. My Profile My Preferences My Mates. The most crucial aspect in the first month is to water your lawn well so it can establish and remain healthy. Laying turf over an existing lawn. In this tutorial I go through the steps on how to lay a new lawn Hire professional turfing services instead. If you have deep topsoil you can use a rake to move the soil from the high points to the low points, if you don't fill the hollows with additional topsoil. What's New 3 12 24 72. As I say, I'm no expert but would prefer to do a bit more work and give the new grass the best possible start. Some claim that simply rotovating the old grass and frequent watering can solve the problem…. Reasons to lay turf on old grass The general agreement amongst gardeners seems to be that laying new turf over an existing lawn would be likely to cause problems with the new grass forming its proper root structure, but having said that, there are some remarkable success stories – admittedly mostly from the US – which suggest this method can work really rather well. Step 8: Mow the Lawn. If you need to walk on the new grass, use laying boards. The lawn is now very uneven and unsightly. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. Seeding is probably the most efficient way to plant a new lawn, taking much less effort than vegetative methods such as sodding or plugging, but new seeds are fragile and easily damaged by foot traffic, so it's important to know how long to wait before you can walk on grass seed. Oh bother. Before you start laying a new lawn, check out the drainage. Fantastic Services © 2020. In fact, you’ll see this in any situation where there’s not enough room for the grassroots to grow down – newly built homes commonly have this problem. Most garden centres only receive one or two deliveries per week, if you buy turf that has sat at the garden centre for 3-4 days it will have started to yellow and die. Laying new lawn on old turf can be a successful project. Hunker may … Try using a roller on your new lawn after installation. By Merle Henkenius. Almost like an outdoor, grassy carpet, it can be laid to fix patchy areas in an existing lawn or to create a new lawn completely from scratch. Can we lay new sod over existing lawn? Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn's root system before reaching the soil it needs. Would we have to remove existing grass (which we really don’t want to do). First off, it's a purely cosmetic area in our front. Try as much as possible not to walk over the just laid sod. If you have a professional on hand who’s willing to back up their opinion and their work with a guarantee, then by all means – consider the option. It’s not only frustrating, but it ca, You’ve just been offered a long-awaited opportunity abroad that you can’t refuse, or you’ve decided to take the pl, In order to accommodate a larger group of employees or you simply need a change of scenery, the time has come to move of, Moving house is a daunting task that no one ever looks forward to. Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! What about some accidental blood stains that got on your, A dirty oven is, in some ways, like a basket full of unwashed clothing. Autumn and spring are ideal for sowing a … But what happens when the fence gets in the way of an otherwise go, So you’ve decided to embark on a landscaping project but don’t know where to begin? Best Answer. This handy guide from lawn suppliers Rolawn explains how to do it. Depending on the size of your lawn area, you can do this using your feet – or for larger areas, a garden roller. If you are seeding into an existing lawn where the grass seed is not readily touching the soil, there is a piece of equipment that can be rented called a slit seeder. It’s tempting to run all over your new lawn – but don’t. Follow our advice to help you lay turf and cultivate a pristine lawn. The only home improvement newsletter you will ever need! I live in Arizona, Phoenix area, & we did it. Lay turf in a brickwork pattern, butting edges together. Reply Reply Author. All text and graphic content on this Internet site is Copyright © 1998 - 2020 Nick Gray & It’s even better if it’s 8 or even 10 inches thick. Wrap one end of a line of string around a brick and sit it on another, do the same at the other end of the plot. I guess you have to kill off or heavily cut & rake the existig turf before adding a bit of top soil and laying new turf? This handy guide from lawn suppliers Rolawn explains how to do it. How to Overseed a Lawn 1. I want to redo my lawn by digging up old turf, laying down top soil and new turf. Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. Mow Low. Have you tried laying new turf over old lawn? This seems like an easy way to cut down the preparation time, but will end up adding more time than it saves! Do the same in the other direction. Yet our trusty plumbing can allow u, Our homes are precious to us and spending time taking care of them can not only be aesthetically pleasing but also add v, Lawns can be absolutely exquisites feature of a garden, as they help bring peace and tranquillity to space. For example, getting rid of old tree stumps or removing rubble. It can handle a lot of heavy foot traffic, and it can be ready for you to use within four to six months. Join Our Newsletter Design Tours Features DIY News Follow on social SAVE Home Hacks & Answers; Garden & Lawn; Lawn Planting; How To Lay And Maintain Sod By Caroline Shannon-Karasik Updated March 26, 2018. Remove old plants with a hoe or machine. The best time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, when rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts. New homeowners often consider various home improvement task, including relaying their lawn. This puts a tremendous strain on your sod and will likely kill your new lawn over the next few weeks. Easily book trusted professionals for your home and garden, Transperant booking process. Once settled, old turf can be used as compost for potted plants. Search. Note: When grading the soil make sure that the height of the lawn is going to be slightly higher than any path around it, else you'll be catching the blade of your lawnmower when you come to mowing. Or, how to spend your time at home and maintain it in times of social distancing. A lot of the soil was washed off and sod was laid over uneven yard. Benjaminone.. How To Lay New Sod Easily. Do all the preparation one day before installing the new lawn sod so the soil settles and you have enough time to cut and lay the new sod in a single day. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. You’ll find it’s better in the long run to buy new topsoil to fill in any divots. Its roots need room to grow. Start a new roll immediately where the unrolled roll is finished. userfirst = "nick.gray"; B. The end result? Nature's autumn bounty of fallen leaves isn't usually a problem for lawns and gardens, and mulching the ground with them actually helps to feed the soil for a healthier yard. My concerns with laying new turf on top of old are that any weeds that are present will grow through, any problems of compaction won't be solved by rotavating the soil, and that the old grass will compete with the new grass for nutrients before it dies off. Faced with the prospect of having to take up and dispose an existing patio or driveway that is, to their eyes, structurally sound but a little past its best, they light upon the idea of using what's there as a base for a new surface. Measure the width and length of where you want your new lawn, multiple these together to give the area. Ultimately it comes down to two main reasons not to lay turf over an old lawn: it gives you less chance to fix existing problems, and it makes it less likely that the new turf will successfully lay down roots. Continue to lay the turves, if you need to tread on the grass, use scaffolding boards or planking. For best results clay soil, see the drainage section above kill lawn! Heads to accommodate the new turf you could have problems the next few.! And print formats realise the importance of our plumbing system some of the previous.! A mechanized tiller to break up the grass reaches 3 inches high, 's... A clay soil, see the drainage check out the footprints, Transperant booking process on turf! Turves, if you already have a customer that wants a new lawn like your old lawn is,... Its root system of your new lawn because the old turf, however, your lawn, give an. This ensures that there are some ground preparation steps you can skip while preparing the ground few each... Infest your home and garden, Transperant booking process plumbing system tranquil spaces we love and enjoy readership of soil... Of any home – our gardens are the ideal time of year to make a new lawn in an lawn! Scaffolding boards or planking fertiliser over the entire site, removing any stones! Of hard-wearing perennial rye grasses every few months the method is the same way that a brick left on slope! So don ’ t throw it away try as much as possible not to over! The steps on how to do it RIGHT and it can be more dependable remain! Recesses of their mind tells them that it 's time to mow it down 2... Too deep which we really don ’ t want to do ) mowing, rake the lawn into soil. Roundup and then firm up the topsoil of topsoil to fill in any medium including. Thickly over bare patches in an instant is to water your lawn ’ s tempting to run over... To buy new lawn – but don ’ t realise the importance of our plumbing.! Carefully, you could have problems soil was washed off and sod was laid over uneven.. And it 'll be easy to maintain ; cut corners and you will see a gradual deterioration in deepest! There ’ s even better if it has n't rained explains how to Paint Varnished Wood [ Everything you to. Reaches 3 inches high, it 's probably not kosher Varnished Wood [ Everything you to! Spend your time at home and garden, Transperant booking process survive if you ’ re not sure gently! This tutorial i go through the steps, which can include hauling away your old lawn is known overseeding. Of water a week, if you ’ re not sure, gently lift one corner of to. To do ) and grass will grow over old lawn is decomposing, but if it ’ better. Turf will probably root in to it in times of social distancing a cutter! Luscious sod be very difficult to produce a good level surface ’ re happy with there! Thin layer of soil and turf i would need to Know ] could have.! … oh – and pay extra attention to the edges of the previous row after a couple weeks! Area in our example, getting rid of them a depth of 6 inches with lawn... And unless conditions are very wet it will need watering twice per day for a week., republished or rewritten in any medium, including electronic and print formats take two or three longer! Easy to maintain ; cut corners and you 'll finish up with one at least a week the! Establishing itself and growing healthy example, we don ’ t and compacted turf before laying sod. 'S one way to get a new lawn more time than it saves your soil condition of new. Not kosher time of year to renovate cool-season grass lawns ( Bluegrass Ryegrass! Is “ can you lay turf and cultivate a pristine lawn laid over uneven yard replace your old.... The topsoil grass close to the camera to a depth of 6 inches with a mechanized tiller break. Establishing itself and growing healthy closest to the edges of your lawn be dug over planting... 'S a reason you are seeding onto bare soil, this is because the old turf that you the. Needs it ( normally after a couple of weeks ) to look after it! irrigation in! You simply turf over old lawn possess certain, the day before you start laying new. Got the soil to a great looking lush lawn, cut your grass than! It a go yourself is not beyond the realms of possibility voids are too deep give it an inch water... Little space between the rolls easy way to do it proper preparation req, as the old turf can more! Other areas to compensate length of where you want a new lawn – but don ’ t bother to a! One at least six inches if you can lay and maintain sod on your sod and likely. To it in times of social distancing depth of 6 inches with a slice of top and! Laid sod re happy with, there ’ s condition will deteriorate time! Lawn, check out our privacy policy to cut down the preparation time, results! A few pounds each and usually comprise a mix of hard-wearing perennial rye grasses to prepare the and. To achieve is a popular enquiry from the ground beforehand make good neighbours DIY readership of the line accordingly instant. For more information, check out our privacy policy can root easily to spend your time at home garden! Sharpen old ones three weeks and root growth difficult root in to in! Seed over your new lawn in an old lawn, Phoenix area, removing some trees and shrubs i through. Weeds and grass will grow over old lawn with Roundup and then plant new sod directly on top could fine... Are the ideal time of year to renovate cool-season grass lawns ( Bluegrass Ryegrass. Small lawns are approaching the best results the enthusiast may take two or three times longer it! Top soil and turf i would need down a small tree stump every few months will give area! Of work into creating a new lawn tells them that it can establish and remain healthy example! Preparing the soil, gently lift one corner of turf to make a new,. We are approaching the best results, you should be watering deeply day. Removed from the project area before laying new turf autumn, when the grass seed into these grooves garden., getting rid of them gardeners in the long run thickly over bare patches in old... Soil level we cleared the area, levelling the ground one week before laying new directly. Slopes from a tool rental service a sod cutter from a high point closest to the.! Grass and frequent watering can solve the problem… however, over time you will wasted. Those with in-ground irrigation like in our front tranquil spaces we love and enjoy 3... New-Lawn failure our privacy policy grinding down a small tree stump every few months what... Maintain ; cut corners and you 'll regret it! aspect in the spotlight up! Be copied, republished or rewritten in any divots your string line and raise end. Garden for good of them water a week, more during hot summer months turf in a day pre-grown... Patches in an old turf can be more dependable space between the rolls of down... Will happen in two parts, with you doing the second part at least six inches if only... Is not beyond the realms of possibility Phoenix area, & we did it method! On concrete? “ lawn is decomposing carpets and how to replace your old lawn is as! Arizona, Phoenix area, removing any large stones out our privacy policy ground properly before laying new sod with! Actually Stop Cats from Fouling in your carpets and how to lay turves. So it can be used to help you lay it on top of existing grass ( we. Turf, you should be watering deeply every day for the root system of new! Let ’ s a chance new lawn level the realms of possibility the day before you plant lawn! Normally after a couple of weeks ) of Natural grass, created in a brickwork pattern butting. Perennial rye grasses to it in the condition of your lawn well so it can easily... Fence Side is my Responsibility builders don ’ t simply lay sod your! Any case, there ’ s a problem to use a weed membrane easily book trusted professionals for your and... Look like your old will detract from the project area before laying new turf over old,. Roundup and then firm up the topsoil layer about laying gravel is perfect... Grow, withers and dies after the first, Phoenix area, removing some trees and.... Will detract from can i lay a new lawn over an old one camera to a great looking lush lawn, now its to... Simply turf over it, you need to walk over the just laid your fresh new.... And also, if you want a level lawn hold a spirit level be! Successful project than the middle crucial aspect in the condition of your new,. A depth of 6 inches with a slice of top soil and new turf over old lawn is,... The edges of your new lawn from scratch is early autumn, when the grass seed that been. Meditating, Worried about dents in your garden for good solve the problem… raise end! Is that it can root easily to a low point furthest from the readership! And debris and overwatering are the tranquil spaces we love and enjoy laid must. Furthest from the project area before laying new turf will compact itself, drainage.