Hmm. That is pretty tufty... I think if you laid turf on top of that, without further preparation, some of the turf roots wouldn't be in close contact with the compost, and would dry out. Basically, you need a really flat surface before you turf. Even if you don't rotavate the area you'll need it to be more level than it appears to be at the moment. If you do decide to rotavate - and as others have said, proper preparation will give you the best result - a big soil rake (not a springy leaf rake) is the thing for making sure it's level. You need to tread it after rotavating to get rid of air pockets, then rake again. If you look on the internet you'll find videos showing how to do it. There's a particularly stupid-looking "duck walk" which is best for getting it level...
What are you planning for the bit which is still green, at the end?
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Yea it's quite turfy....I thought it was quite level but will look at buying one of them rakes you advised if I was to turf over a more level surface would weeds still come through as weeds can suddenly grow anyware? also upon further inspection we do have a underground brown bees nest next to the window in the back of the photo so I may not be able to do anything with the garden just yet?
that green bit is going to get some decking on there
Providing you killed all the weeds, nothing big should grow through your new turf from below. Yes, weed seeds are everywhere, and you will eventually have weeds germinating in your new turf - but once it's properly established you can use something like "weed & feed" on it to deal with any weeds. Best time for laying turf is April or September, so hopefully the bees will have departed in time for you to do your turfing. If not, yes, I guess you'll have to wait...
You'd do well to put weedkiller on the green bit before putting your decking on it, or weeds will grow through the decking. You can put down a weed-suppressing membrane on that bit, no trouble.
Car boot sales and flea markets are great places for cheap garden tools. If you can get hold of a landscape rake - like a soil rake but 2 or 3 times the size of head, and sometimes made of wood - I'd go for it. Much easier to get a level surface.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Yea we killed everything before laying the new compost there are the odd small bits of grass growing here and there and with the dead grass still sort of hanging around would that make a problem for the new turf?
ive heard bees only stay in there hive for one season so hopefully they will depart by September when as you said it's ideal to lay the turf
Well, as has been said before, the problem with tufty bits of dead grass is that the turf will be lifted up from the soil below, and will dry out before its roots get in contact with the soil. The bottom photo shows that well - next to the slabs there are dead plants which will lift the edge of the turf.
Why not get a rake, try raking out the dead plants and if that doesn't work, bite the bullet and hire a rotavator? Better to do the job well, once, than end up with a lumpy lawn you have to re-lay.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Ok thank You I think i will bite the bullet turn it all over and rotavate the lot of it..once rotavated how would I go about levelling the full garden out?
You'd have to let it settle, then tread it and rake it and tread it and rake it... and tread it and rake it some more, and get rid of any stones (not tiny ones, they won't matter) which come to the surface. It's not as bad as it sounds - just takes a bit of time. It's important you don't leave any soft bits which will sink when you walk on the turf. Once you start you'll get the hang of it - and you'll be able to tell by eye if it's roughly level or not. You can use a long board on edge to check, too. Do have a look online for videos to help.
Good luck!
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Posts
Hmm. That is pretty tufty... I think if you laid turf on top of that, without further preparation, some of the turf roots wouldn't be in close contact with the compost, and would dry out. Basically, you need a really flat surface before you turf. Even if you don't rotavate the area you'll need it to be more level than it appears to be at the moment. If you do decide to rotavate - and as others have said, proper preparation will give you the best result - a big soil rake (not a springy leaf rake) is the thing for making sure it's level. You need to tread it after rotavating to get rid of air pockets, then rake again. If you look on the internet you'll find videos showing how to do it. There's a particularly stupid-looking "duck walk" which is best for getting it level...
What are you planning for the bit which is still green, at the end?
Yea it's quite turfy....I thought it was quite level but will look at buying one of them rakes you advised if I was to turf over a more level surface would weeds still come through as weeds can suddenly grow anyware? also upon further inspection we do have a underground brown bees nest next to the window in the back of the photo so I may not be able to do anything with the garden just yet?
that green bit is going to get some decking on there
Providing you killed all the weeds, nothing big should grow through your new turf from below. Yes, weed seeds are everywhere, and you will eventually have weeds germinating in your new turf - but once it's properly established you can use something like "weed & feed" on it to deal with any weeds. Best time for laying turf is April or September, so hopefully the bees will have departed in time for you to do your turfing. If not, yes, I guess you'll have to wait...
You'd do well to put weedkiller on the green bit before putting your decking on it, or weeds will grow through the decking. You can put down a weed-suppressing membrane on that bit, no trouble.
Car boot sales and flea markets are great places for cheap garden tools. If you can get hold of a landscape rake - like a soil rake but 2 or 3 times the size of head, and sometimes made of wood - I'd go for it. Much easier to get a level surface.
Yea we killed everything before laying the new compost there are the odd small bits of grass growing here and there and with the dead grass still sort of hanging around would that make a problem for the new turf?
ive heard bees only stay in there hive for one season so hopefully they will depart by September when as you said it's ideal to lay the turf
Well, as has been said before, the problem with tufty bits of dead grass is that the turf will be lifted up from the soil below, and will dry out before its roots get in contact with the soil. The bottom photo shows that well - next to the slabs there are dead plants which will lift the edge of the turf.
Why not get a rake, try raking out the dead plants and if that doesn't work, bite the bullet and hire a rotavator? Better to do the job well, once, than end up with a lumpy lawn you have to re-lay.
Ok thank You I think i will bite the bullet turn it all over and rotavate the lot of it..once rotavated how would I go about levelling the full garden out?
You'd have to let it settle, then tread it and rake it and tread it and rake it... and tread it and rake it some more, and get rid of any stones (not tiny ones, they won't matter) which come to the surface. It's not as bad as it sounds - just takes a bit of time. It's important you don't leave any soft bits which will sink when you walk on the turf. Once you start you'll get the hang of it - and you'll be able to tell by eye if it's roughly level or not. You can use a long board on edge to check, too. Do have a look online for videos to help.
Good luck!