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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 3:22 pm
by tomo8
My back garden needs the grass sorting out. Last summer i dug it all up, but its been left since then an new grass an weeds have grown through.
I wanna get it sorted an was thinking about rotavating it an spreading some top soil down an turfing it, but im not sure if this is correct.
So any advice on this would be most appreciated.

Cheers.

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:26 pm
by Pablo
Forstly you need to kill all existing grass and weeds with weedkiller. Once all the weeds are dead and the soil is dry enough to be rotavated then crack on removing any large rubble as it comes up so it doesn't go through the tines again. Then level the area out so there's no heights or dips and use a stone rake to remove any sod and debris bigger than grape. Next you need to compact it with a peguin like walk so you squeeze the excess air out of it and make the final rake easier. For the final rake you you should push the rake away from you with the handle close to the gound and pull it back higher up to draw off the debris you have displaced. This can't be done with normal raes so you'll have to buy a landscaping one. If you're soil is thin badly drained or low then yes you should top it up with UNSCREENED soil or grit. If you've never done this before I'd maybe get some prices from landscapers raking soil level and to the right tilth requires a very good eye and skill do it wrong and the soil will settle bumpy and look rubbish. If you do it yourself you'll have to buy the right grass seed for your conditions and you can't do it without the right rakes.



Edited By Pablo on 1336404451

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:49 pm
by rimexboy
This is my rear garden after ive finished its just value B&Q grass seed.. i just rotavated it all picked the large stuff out and then raked it and then spead some screaded top soil that was not all that really and then seeded it... my soil is very clayey round here in romford essex

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Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 7:38 pm
by tomo8
Nice one for the Replies. Best get started on it. Cheers

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 7:40 pm
by tomo8
What weedkiller would you recommend? An where from? Also is it the same if im laying new turf down?

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 8:05 pm
by r896neo
Use round-up, available anywhere really. Any glyphosphate will do just don't use pathclear etc that may have residual effect.

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 8:44 pm
by Pablo
tomo8 wrote:What weedkiller would you recommend? An where from? Also is it the same if im laying new turf down?
Basically yes but the soil doesn't have to be as perfect because it's best to lay turf onto a thin layer of course sand over the soil to help root growth.