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What to do with dug up turf

MattwestyorksMattwestyorks Posts: 46
in Problem solving

Whats the best thing to do with some turf i'm going to be digging up? 

My best idea was to put it all in a 1 tonne rubble bag, grass side down, cover it and leave it to rot down into topsoil. Would this work? If not what better alternatives are there, i don't really want to/want to have to take it to the tip. 

Thanks, Matt

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Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Book says grass to grass then soil to soil, but otherwise, yes leave it to rot down into fine top soil.

  • MattwestyorksMattwestyorks Posts: 46

    Thanks for the tips guys, Any idea how long it would take to rot down to useable topsoil? I was thinking it would probably take 9-12 months?

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    Whatever you do, grass side down. If you get impatient, you can always. when it's quite dry, scrape the soil off after a while and chuck the rest on the compost heap. 

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    I have made a lovely telly tubby hill with mine at the end of the garden image 

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    I would say about 12 months to be fully broken down. If the turf is wet when you do it then covering speeds up the process. Covering very dry turf would slow it down.

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    imageimageimage

    Hi all

    Depending on how much turf you have to lift up as you could build a temporary raised bed and plant directly into it.

    When I came to clear my allotment I used the turf tops cut and made three raised beds which were going to be temporary however three years on I am still using them to plant my courgettes and pumpkins which are prolific as I fill the centre with old cow manure and back fill.

    Eventually I will return all the soil to the beds but I get so much from them now it would be a shame to knock them over.

    Its was like laying bricks and then filling the middle was quite easy once I got the hang of it

    Some pictures of mine

    Happy gardening 

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Wow Chris! Looks amazing! I won't post pic of my telly tubby hill ??

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    Hi

    It doesn't matter how big your stack or hill is you can get a return from it if it's in sunshine.

    Whether it's covered or not just use it whilst it's rotting down.

    If it's covered slit a hole in the top and plant a courgette or pumpkin keep it well watered and fed and you will get a return from it.

    Happy gardening

  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    I've previously stacked it alternately in empty compost bags, given it a good soaking and closed up the top of the bags. It was used the following summer, so 12 months sounds about right Matt.

    Make sure you chose the right spot for your rubble sack before you fill it, there's no shifting it if you change your mindimage

    What a clever idea Chris, and excellent photos as always?.  I like the sound of your tellytubby hill BM image 

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Thank you Chris and telly tubby hill is in sunshine image it has rubbish old shed next to it which i want gone this year (on my to do list) and then i will tackle the mound!

    Kitty its not as great as named i assure you image Beau loves it to stand on and talk to the horses over the fence!

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