All the way through reading this thread I was thinking NOOOOOO don't abandon your original plan. Get a load of organic matter and top soil in there. Then I got to your post where you said you weren't going to waiver and you had a plan... phew
The only thing I'd say is why bother to break up the turf? It will break down eventually and I'd do as obelixx suggested put some holes in it and only if you really can be bothered... turn it upside down.
I'd go for turf if you want to walk on it sooner and seed it otherwise. But this time of year I'd say turn in any case.
I will definitely post a photo - possibly even interminable progress pics . And I am very much enjoying having this forum to check ideas against and get advice from.
The reason I was breaking up the turf was that I thought it would be best to avoid a hard 'pan' level with stuff on top of it - the logic was that breaking it up would allow a rotavator to get into it more and mix things together. Especially as I was planning to mix sharp sand, gravel and topsoil - thought I might as well mix the turf in with it too, and make that 'below topsoil' layer deeper overall. Not sure if I'm making any sense at all, just trying to explain my thought process.
With the above comments in mind I have started a sort of over enthusiastic aerating - sticking a fork in, wiggling it around and then loosening but not actually lifting the turf layer. Perhaps this will be enough?
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Glad you are sticking to your original plan! It will be better in the end and if you didn't you'd always be thinking back to how it should have been.
Aerating the existing turf with a fork will be fine. You don't need to rotavate it. Personally I would apply a good dose of glyphosate to it first, especially if you have any weeds in there. Do it in the evening when it is still warm but not too sunny. You want it to stay on the grass blades and leaves a few hours before evaporating.
Seed vs turf. Personally I'd choose seed. It will be safe for the kids to play on (gently) within 3-4 weeks max. Here's a picture of mine after 7 days.
Two weeks after that we had a party and kids were running all over it. It didnt seem to mind at all. It is so thick and lush now (makes the rest of my lawn look awful!)
How about keeping the lawn level as it is and putting a box hedge around the edges then you can seed what you have at the level you have and when you mow the edges of the lawn the box will mean you don't have to strim or shear the bits next to the bricks.
We don't even have side access so I really know where you are coming from and that is what I would do, obviously any low neat shrub would be good but I think box would look lovely with that design and it is evergreen
I can't tell you how much this thread has inspired me. Yesterday I asked advice about my ugly dead tree and with one voice they came back "get rid". I knew that would be the answer but I was trying to be lazy.
Today, having read your post, I'm all inspired for the hard work that's going to be involved.
Your garden layout is fab and I know I'll be glad when I cut my tree down. It'll just open up the whole place and I can make plans for my wooded area.
Well done you for sticking with it and I wish you every success!
Thank you. Yes, I was dreading it and very daunted but ever since deciding to knuckle down and do it I've been looking forward to it. And although everything aches now I know I singlehandedly moved two tons of material today in quite a short time - it makes the rest of the job feel achievable.
I think I might be too sore tomorrow to do it again though!
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Ah that's so nice . OH was home this weekend so did a lot (and moaned a lot!). Barrowing the stuff through was nowhere near as hard as mixing it all up in situ. We're going to level the shingle / sand / preloved topsoil mix that's there now and then add bought in topsoil to the top. I know it's going to sink quite a lot but actually we're not anywhere near as far from the top as I expected - we have two bulk bags of topsoil waiting and may not need to order any more. Certainly not the 6 bags we envisaged. Which is good in many ways but does mean I think I may have overdone it with the shingle especially - there's a higher proportion of it in the mix than intended. Can't do anything about that now though, have to hope it's OK.
A question: should we get the soil level with the top of the edging and then add the turf, or level it to just below the top of the edging? I don't want it too proud, but definitely don't want it sunk either.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Not now planning to lay turf until spring, to allow the turf underneath to die back and settle. So am barrowing what we've got through, half a ton or so at a time. Then will leave it all to settle and add whatever more is needed in the spring.
Itching to get it all done, but don't want to be too hasty and regret it.
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
I think by the time there's actually a lawn there I'll be so amazed and proud that I'll probably have it as my profile picture, post it on here and every chat thread going and possibly expect it to be announced on News at Ten
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
Posts
All the way through reading this thread I was thinking NOOOOOO don't abandon your original plan. Get a load of organic matter and top soil in there. Then I got to your post where you said you weren't going to waiver and you had a plan... phew
The only thing I'd say is why bother to break up the turf? It will break down eventually and I'd do as obelixx suggested put some holes in it and only if you really can be bothered... turn it upside down.
I'd go for turf if you want to walk on it sooner and seed it otherwise. But this time of year I'd say turn in any case.
I will definitely post a photo - possibly even interminable progress pics
. And I am very much enjoying having this forum to check ideas against and get advice from.
The reason I was breaking up the turf was that I thought it would be best to avoid a hard 'pan' level with stuff on top of it - the logic was that breaking it up would allow a rotavator to get into it more and mix things together. Especially as I was planning to mix sharp sand, gravel and topsoil - thought I might as well mix the turf in with it too, and make that 'below topsoil' layer deeper overall. Not sure if I'm making any sense at all, just trying to explain my thought process.
With the above comments in mind I have started a sort of over enthusiastic aerating - sticking a fork in, wiggling it around and then loosening but not actually lifting the turf layer. Perhaps this will be enough?
Glad you are sticking to your original plan! It will be better in the end and if you didn't you'd always be thinking back to how it should have been.
Aerating the existing turf with a fork will be fine. You don't need to rotavate it. Personally I would apply a good dose of glyphosate to it first, especially if you have any weeds in there. Do it in the evening when it is still warm but not too sunny. You want it to stay on the grass blades and leaves a few hours before evaporating.
Seed vs turf. Personally I'd choose seed. It will be safe for the kids to play on (gently) within 3-4 weeks max. Here's a picture of mine after 7 days.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/sowing-grass-seed-on-a-patch-in-high-summer---how-to-make-it-work/751108.html
Two weeks after that we had a party and kids were running all over it. It didnt seem to mind at all. It is so thick and lush now (makes the rest of my lawn look awful!)
How about keeping the lawn level as it is and putting a box hedge around the edges then you can seed what you have at the level you have and when you mow the edges of the lawn the box will mean you don't have to strim or shear the bits next to the bricks.
We don't even have side access so I really know where you are coming from and that is what I would do, obviously any low neat shrub would be good but I think box would look lovely with that design and it is evergreen
Somewhat delayed, but I have now begun: one bulk bag of gravel done, innumerable more to do!
You can see why I needed to buy an especially narrow barrow (and wear gloves to protect my knuckles from the pebbledash!):
Now I've had a cup of tea, time for bag number 2!
I can't tell you how much this thread has inspired me. Yesterday I asked advice about my ugly dead tree and with one voice they came back "get rid". I knew that would be the answer but I was trying to be lazy.
Today, having read your post, I'm all inspired for the hard work that's going to be involved.
Your garden layout is fab and I know I'll be glad when I cut my tree down. It'll just open up the whole place and I can make plans for my wooded area.
Well done you for sticking with it and I wish you every success!
Thank you. Yes, I was dreading it and very daunted but ever since deciding to knuckle down and do it I've been looking forward to it. And although everything aches now I know I singlehandedly moved two tons of material today in quite a short time - it makes the rest of the job feel achievable.
I think I might be too sore tomorrow to do it again though!
Ah that's so nice
. OH was home this weekend so did a lot (and moaned a lot!). Barrowing the stuff through was nowhere near as hard as mixing it all up in situ. We're going to level the shingle / sand / preloved topsoil mix that's there now and then add bought in topsoil to the top. I know it's going to sink quite a lot but actually we're not anywhere near as far from the top as I expected - we have two bulk bags of topsoil waiting and may not need to order any more. Certainly not the 6 bags we envisaged. Which is good in many ways but does mean I think I may have overdone it with the shingle especially - there's a higher proportion of it in the mix than intended. Can't do anything about that now though, have to hope it's OK.
A question: should we get the soil level with the top of the edging and then add the turf, or level it to just below the top of the edging? I don't want it too proud, but definitely don't want it sunk either.
Getting there...
Not now planning to lay turf until spring, to allow the turf underneath to die back and settle. So am barrowing what we've got through, half a ton or so at a time. Then will leave it all to settle and add whatever more is needed in the spring.
Itching to get it all done, but don't want to be too hasty and regret it.
I think by the time there's actually a lawn there I'll be so amazed and proud that I'll probably have it as my profile picture, post it on here and every chat thread going and possibly expect it to be announced on News at Ten