Turf horror stories?

M33R4 · March 2023

Expecting a delivery of 34 turf rolls this Friday so I can finish the lawn I started from scratch a month ago. Looking at various website reviews on turf companies, it seems like you can end up with bad turf immediately or they die off in the long run due to poor quality. Some companies refused to give refunds on damaged turf which was their fault, blaming it poor ground prep, not feeding, not enough water, etc. I contacted one company who refused to give me any form of guarantee they will refund me if I turned away their delivery lorry if the turf was of poor quality. I mentioned a few negative reviews from last year and the company said it was not their fault and blamed it on the hot summer heat and refused to give refunds based on that despite reviews saying the turf arrived in a poor state before even being laid. Needless to say I didn't go with them.

I chose a local(ish) turf company and I am keeping fingers crossed now, although under UK customer rights I ought to buy with peace of mind

?

KT53 · March 2023

There are so many elements out of the control of the turf supplier that I don't blame the not giving any form of guarantee. They should however replace any turf which is found to be damaged or sub-standard on delivery. Reputable firms shouldn't be cutting or delivering turf in the middle of a heatwave, but they obviously can't be held responsible for the weather, good or bad, after delivery.

Hopefully the local company you have chosen doesn't use plastic netting in their turf. The netting allows them to cut the turf much thinner, but the netting takes years to break down, and then it's only down into microplastics which are more damaging than the netting.

AnniD · March 2023

If you've done your research such as looking at reviews and maybe asking around locally l don't think you should have too much to worry about, particularly at this time of year.
It may be worth contacting your local Citizens advice office to see what they say about your rights to turn the delivery away, or what rights you have should the turf not meet your standards.
Gardening from Which may also be helpful.

McRazz · March 2023

Personally I wouldn't anguish too much over it but if you are concerned my advice would be check the turf at point of delivery and reject prior to signing if you have an issue.

I've rejected turf in the past for being rotten, skinned, and torn - but only when its been a disproportionately high number of rolls.

That being said, i've also laid plenty of yellow, skinned and torn rolls and they've always come back with adequate care.

As others have said quality is often down to environmental conditions that are out of the suppliers control. It would be lovely to just stop lifting but in the real world thats not going to make you any money so they lift in nearly all weathers other than the most extreme.

99% of turf failure is down to the installer.

M33R4 · March 2023

McRazz said:

.... they lift in nearly all weathers other than the most extreme...

I am expecting a delivery this Friday. Currently it's snowing lightly where I am (not far from turf company) - do you think snowy weather will harm the quality of the turf? She said they will lift it same morning it comes to me.

Fairygirl · March 2023

Snow isn't a problem unless it's deep enough to prevent them lifting it - ie more than an inch or two, so unless you're somewhere a good bit north of me [central Scotland] it won't matter at all. The quality won't be affected.
However, if you're north of me it's not ideal anyway just now for laying turf.

McRazz · March 2023

M33R4 said:

McRazz said:

.... they lift in nearly all weathers other than the most extreme...

I am expecting a delivery this Friday. Currently it's snowing lightly where I am (not far from turf company) - do you think snowy weather will harm the quality of the turf? She said they will lift it same morning it comes to me.

No, but just bear in mind that turf at this time of year will look way worse than it is because its just endured the whole winter. It will be mega heavy, sticky, sparse and will tear easily.

However, its also a great time of year to lay as long as the ground isn't frozen solid or waterlogged.

M33R4 · March 2023

McRazz said:... but just bear in mind that turf at this time of year will look way worse than it is because its just endured the whole winter. It will be mega heavy, sticky, sparse and will tear easily.

However, its also a great time of year to lay as long as the ground isn't frozen solid or waterlogged.

Oh didn't think of it being heavy this time of year

Yes I wanted to lay it in cooler weather and also perhaps better priced this time of year.

M33R4 · March 2023

Here is the area I will be turfing this weekend:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/cn/c2icsf9jbg39.jpg

M33R4 · March 2023

Another angle of the irregular shaped lawn to be:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/lu/jaqyzq5qznlx.jpg

M33R4 · March 2023

M33R4 said:

Here is the area I will be turfing this weekend:..

Well never happened - I postponed delivery of the turf as it was snowing in Derbyshire up until last night. Today the snow has begun to melt. The area I was going to turf is now like a mud bath (as it's healthy soft top soil) when you attempt to set foot on it.

I have arranged for delivery this Wednesday - do you think the turf will be affected by recent heavy snow when they lift it for me this week? I imagine each roll will be heavier with the amount of snow we've had. I worry about the rolls breaking under their own weight as I manoeuvre them around the area to be turfed

Turf horror stories?

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