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New Lawn

andy.hansen88andy.hansen88 Posts: 13
in Problem solving
Morning All,

I'm a 30 year old newbie when it comes to gardening having lived in a flat for the past 5 years and now in a new build house with a decent sized garden. However, as with any new build (I might be wrong here) the garden was rushed and turf literally laid straight over lumpy clay/thick/rocky top soil. The current lawn is hilly, has huge divots and the grass is dead around the edges especially against brickwork. I've kicked up that much of a fuss about it that the developers are now willing to take it all up and start again. 

So with that being said has anyone got any tips on what I can do to make sure I get the best from my new lawn? They are ripping it up and levelling it off tomorrow then laying the new turf on Thursday.

I've read online bits and bobs about new lawns but thought someone on here may be in the same situation and have turned a cr@p lawn into a nice level one.

Regs,
Andy
«13

Posts

  • glasgowdanglasgowdan Posts: 632
    It's hard to say until you know what you're getting. I assume they're not bringing in any new soil? It's only going to be average if not. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Well done for kicking up a fuss @andy.hansen88  :D
    It's a common problem, so it's good that they're addressing it for you. The best advice I've got is to be there to watch them sort it, but if you can't do that, check that the soil they put down and level tomorrow is decent looking, is of adequate depth, and is definitely not full of lumps, bumps and large stones. If you can be there, so much the better.
    The biggest problem is that when they strip it all back, they'll probably be using a digger to level it, which then compacts the ground. They should really go over the ground loosening up the soil before adding topsoil,and then raking/firming and raking again before laying the turf, but that's unlikely to happen, so you may get compaction later, which you will need to address with a bit of spiking etc. 
    If thegrass is up against walls etc, you'll find that awkward to cut, but you can always add an edging strip later to make it easier.  :)
    Good luck!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    While you're at it...make some decent flower beds a plain lawn no matter how level is really not very interesting and it offers nothing to the wildlife. How I wish they could make developers pay attention to local biodiversity instead of the current identikit lawn boredom all over the country. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • andy.hansen88andy.hansen88 Posts: 13
    Thanks for both your comments. They are bringing in some new soil but hard to say how much. They tried coming over this morning to do some patch work and sort the uneveness and divots...But I turned them away and said I want the whole lot done which the developer then agreed to. 
    There is no room to get a digger in or out so they'll need to do it all by hand. I'm going to be there for when they turn up and will come back on my lunch break to see how they are getting on.
    Once it's laid how often should it be watered and for how long? Do I only spike it once the turf has taken?

  • andy.hansen88andy.hansen88 Posts: 13
    Good shout Amancalledgeorge I'll be sure to point this out to them tomorrow. We've been doing all we can to try encourage more wildlife and also encouraged our neighbours to do the same.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think your priority has to be sorting your lawn, much as I agree with @amancalledgeorge about getting beds and borders in, and encouraging wildlife etc. If you rush into creating the spaces for them, and they don;t look right,  you may regret it later. 
    Concentrate on the lawn for now [it's good that you've been firm with them] and give yourself time over autumn/winter to plan your other spaces, unless you've already got that all planned of course  ;)
    You'll need to water it regularly until established, but if you live in an area of high rainfall, that'll be easier. If it's dry, water every evening, or when it's viable for you, and water for a good time - not a sprinkle. That will help the roots to get down properly.
    As we approach winter, you'll not need to water at all. By then you should be able to see if the grass is thriving too. It should be looking good by mid October, and might even be ready for a light trim. 
    Wait until spring to see how the ground is, and you can then start a regime of feeding/spiking/mowing etc, depending on how much effort you want to put in, and your conditions. You'll get plenty of further advice on the forum if you need it. Spring is alwasya busy time for queries about grass  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    I don't see the point of wasting turf but hey @Fairygirl each to their own. Turf can be taken out later, but I'd make a design and follow it through like we did with our garden last year. But there's no one single way with those things. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The turf can be turned upside down and used later to add to beds, or even pots,  though  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jenny794jenny794 Posts: 30
    How did it go - is it any better this time?
  • andy.hansen88andy.hansen88 Posts: 13
    Morning All, I probably should have taken some before and after pictures but forgot and only have the after pictures. Its alot better than it was bit not perfect 🙄
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