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Killing off / replace grass - remove old turf before rotovating?

drew990drew990 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Hi, I need a quarantine-project and my lawn looks awful.

My plan is to kill it all with weedkiller, rotovate, and seed or lay turf.

Should I be stripping off the old dead turf before rotovating?

Thanks

Posts

  • ruzzbuzzruzzbuzz Posts: 3
    Hi drew990, I just joined this forum to look for answers on the same subject. I don't have any direct experience, but have had three gardeners/landscapers come in to provide quotes, while I also research what it would take to do this myself (hours of videos, forums, articles, etc.)

    Summary: two of the returfing gardeners said they would rotovate it in, and one said he always removes it. The ones who said they rotovate it in did say they rake out some of the green matter. From my own research, you get all sorts of opinions reading articles from turf suppliers, reading discussions, watching videos, but I thought more of the professionals favoured removing the old turf. That is what I intend to do also.

    Did you go ahead with your project, and how did you get along?
  • Mike AllenMike Allen Posts: 208
    Hi Drew.  Welcome to the forum.

    Seems to be the in season for getting rid of lawns and starting again.

    So many gardeners quickly turn to using glysophate in the garden.  True, it has it's benefits.  Perhaps the main one being it neutralises on contact with the soil.  You are left with dead vegitation.

    To try and simplify my comment.

    I would forget chemicals.  Having given the lawn the last rights with the mower.  I'd set about removing the layer of grass.  This is best done by using a flat spade or turfing iron.  Basicall, go about it as if you were cutting turves.   All of this can be composted.

    Your aim is probably to end up with a flat lawn, so why rotavate?  I'd resort to scarifying the area with a rake.  Then using a 'trulute'  or a wooden ash rake, I 'd level off.  By now you should have a good tilth.  Sow your seed or turf the area.  Always sow in excess, one for the lawn and two for the birds.  Keep the area damp.  Foget rollers etc until the lawn is established.

    Best wishes.
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