If you’re planting cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or tall fescue, the best time to plant is in spring or early fall. Disease Lawn State Development Mentoring For Growth Paragon Turf Pallet Seeding But buy just what you need. Wet Weather Laying new turf on old grass is only a quick fix, stop gap, band aid solution. Do not mow the lawn until the new grass is 3/4 inch taller than the height you maintain your lawn at, after which you can resume your normal mowing schedule. Calculating Area Plugs Plants Mulching Watering Low Spots Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! Ask about the newer low-maintenance and drought-resistant varieties. Estimate Paragon Gardens Efficient Irrigation System Use shovels and garden rakes to remove what the sod-cutter can’t reach. Hargraves Innovator Award Remove any existing grass or turf from the lawn. Tilling breaks up the soil to let the new sod’s roots reach down deep to establish the lawn. Get a great looking lawn with our expert advice and tips on laying turf, including our step-by-step guide below and videos to show you just how to do it.. Whilst laying out the turf itself is an easy job, you’ll get best results if you spend some time measuring your lawn area correctly, preparing the area and follow our tips to get your lawn well established afterwards. Mowing A former nationally ranked sport fencer, Gerard also spent several years as a fencing coach and trainer. At some places, some places grass died and has not grown in spite of putting Grass seeds. Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn's root system before reaching the soil it needs. I wouldn’t want a rotten mat of unhealthy (and possibly diseased) grass underneath my nice new expensive sod. River Sand Issues with Installing Artificial Grass on Top of Natural Grass. 3. Manual Watering Turf Seed A writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience, he has written both articles and poetry for publication in magazines and online. Recap the steps are: use an edger to cut grass in squares or long lines; use a garden fork and spade shovel to lift old sod; throw old grass in a wheelbarrow to dispose; Note that you CAN flip old grass over and lay new sods over the top. Evaporation Rate Weeds Dog Enquiry Roxanne Grey Compost Sod provides a quicker alternative when establishing a lawn. You should always prepare the ground properly before laying a new lawn. Turf Australia Conferences No# 1 Selling Zoysia In Australia Over years of use, grass becomes compacted, especially in areas where clay soils are common. Grass seed should be sown using a seed spreader if possible to ensure even distribution. Healthy Lawn Smart Grass Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. Soil If you have a bare or barren patch of yard, sod is a moderately priced way to turn a brown or weedy patch into a thick, green lawn. Issues with Installing Artificial Grass on Top of Natural Grass. Rotovate the surface well to aerate compacted soil and expose bare soil for direct root contact. Mulch Garden Design Head down to your nearest Bunnings and grab some top soil and wetting agent. Townsville City Council Fertilising Life-long Learning The team at Turfonline offer advice on choosing and sowin g grass seed, and guidance around how long it takes for grass seed to grow. Remove the Old Grass. Topdressing North Queensland Make sure you insert the rake deep into the soil to collect dead grass along with the roots. June 2020 Artificial Turf How To Measure Turf Professional Lawn Maintenance No need to be fancy, just an overview. Lawn Seed Shade The old sod may also contain weeds and weed seeds that will grow through the new … Townsville Plant And Garden Expo Top Dress Turf When Do I Put Starter Fertilizer Down on My New Grass Seed? Born in West Virginia, Jack Gerard now lives in Kentucky. Spread a 1/3" layer of compost over the entire front lawn (1 cubic yard per 1,000 sq ft) then overseed the old lawn. October 2017 Watering Schedule -                                                                                                                                        *Irrigation system fault – incorrect timer settings, uneven watering (dry spots), leaks, broken sprinklers                                                                                                                                                           *Manual watering – insufficient and inconsistent practices, poor equipment (nozzles / sprinklers), Aspect – westerly facing, too much shade, slope, competitive garden plants, concrete cooking (block wall, paths, driveways). Kings Pride Buffalo Use a tiller to loosen your soil so the sod’s roots can reach deep. Time It Right. Low Maintenance Turf Sow grass seed thickly over bare patches in an old lawn. Rain Turf Sprigging Purchase grass seed by the bag or in bulk, by the pound. Turf Conferences If your existing lawn is experiencing problems due to fungal infections or other external causes, you need to take care of the underlying cause before overseeding to prevent the new grass from experiencing the same problems. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. Sketching Area Soil compaction – new turf needs freshly prepared soil for the roots to … Water Saving Devices Rebate If you experience problems in getting the new grass seed to grow and fill in your lawn, you may need to kill and remove the existing grass so that you can sow a new lawn from scratch. Mowing the lawn in the summer is not a chore that most people enjoy. If you are thinking of re-turfing your lawn, there must be a pretty good reason behind it. Clear the area of vegetation and debris; Dig or rotovate the soil to a depth of at least 15cm. Scrape off and remove your old turf using a turf cutter or a bobcat. Turf Growers It’s vital that you address any issues before laying your new turf to … Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. Now, let’s look at some of the cons of putting fake grass over real grass. When to Fertilize New Grass. Lawn Sprigging Townsville Square Metres While it is often done to fill thinning or bare spots, you can also overseed your lawn to prevent browning during the winter by overseeding a warm-season lawn with a cool-season grass. September 2017 Water Restrictions If I were going to leave the old grass, I would at least till it into the soil to break it up and speed decomposition. Write something about yourself. The results will most likely be short lived. While it's possible to simply sow the new grass seed over your existing lawn, taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the likelihood of seed germination and improve your end result. November 2017 Till the area down to 4 inches to break and loosen compacted soil, and aerate it. The best time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, when rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts. Automatic Irrigation The 8 stages in creating a new lawn from grass seed. Free Fertiliser For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. Turf Undlerlay You will want to have between 50-100mm of topsoil on the ground before you get started. Grass Sprigging University Of Tasmania August 2020 Maintaining a healthy lawn can be a lot of work. Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. Fertiliser Quality Soil For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. 1. Herbicide Application Sowing new grass seed over your existing lawn is known as overseeding. November 2019 Will I need to put down plastic or other kind of base first? Summer Water it well and keep watering every few days so it establishes well. Dethatching your lawn with a mechanical dethatcher or metal rake removes thatch, a layer of organic material that lies above the soil and can prevent your seeds from taking root properly. Maybe they'll even sell you some. Consult with the grass expert at a garden center to select a seed that matches your site conditions, lawn care preferences and budget. Water Smart Townsville It certainly sounds like a timesaving solution, but unfortunately, it is not as easy as that. Whether you decide to remove the old lawn or leave it, tilling is the next step. Gardens It’s ideal to start laying your new sod against a fixed surface, such as a sidewalk or a side of the house. If you install over natural grass without a good weed barrier, there is a much higher chance of grass or weeds growing up through the artificial grass backing. Laying new turf on old grass is only a quick fix, stop gap, band aid solution. Masterclass Of Horticultural Business Spread about 1-½ inches of builder’s sand in the area to create a level surface, using a landscaping rake to distribute it evenly. DIY Turf Project Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. Horticulture About Us As most of the reasons above have an underlying cause, trying to hide them could be futile and costly. Drought While you can always remove the existing grass before sowing new seed, it is also possible to plant your new grass seed over your current lawn. Roll up the strips or pick up the squares, throw them in your wheelbarrow and dispose the old grass appropriately. Prepare the soil by skimming off any old grass, removing large stones and weeds, and then roughly levelling by flattening humps and filling hollows. Garden Soil Scalping Once settled, old turf can be used as compost for potted plants. We are a disabled couple and need to know the easiest way to do this. Quote Existing Grass Sprig New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. Option 2) Take a patch of the old grass (from somewhere less visible/noticeable in the lawn) and try to replace the new sod with a patch of old grass. Otherwise, rent a sod-cutter to shave off the top grass evenly and a rototiller to create optimum soil. The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. Use a utility knife to cut out sod that is placed over irrigation heads or any other obstruction on your lawn. Lay grass to create an instant lawn or revive a tired one. Preparation It is best to remove the old sod or till it into the soil before laying the new sod. Almost like an outdoor, grassy carpet, it can be laid to fix patchy areas in an existing lawn or to create a new lawn completely from scratch. Soil Depth Seed can also be used to help with the blend. I have a 140 foot driveway and need to know if I can lay gravel over the grass. Lifelong Learning Mower Blades Finally, your new turf lawn requires a good rolling, which will even out any small bumps, firm down the turf, squeeze out pockets of air, and help bond the grass roots to the soil. Aerating your soil using a core aerator breaks up compacted soil and allows air and water to more easily penetrate, improving the condition of your soil to encourage grass growth. Garden Art Many homeowners plant new grass from seed. It is important to make sure that your soil has the appropriate nutrients for new grass seed prior to dispersing the seed itself. Grass seed is the cheapest way to create a new lawn. Use shovels and garden rakes to remove what the sod-cutter can’t reach. If your lawn is really small, shovels and a mattock may do the trick. Spread some top soil in a 2-3' band where the new sod meets the old grass and use the back of a rake to smooth it out so that the transition isn't as drastic. The recent floods or past drought, maybe it has worn out, has humps and hollows, is weedy or just plain awful. Cyperus Rotundus They have left some pieces of turf for us which I have put over the old grass after scrapping some ground. It’s also an easy and effective way to strengthen your grass — without the need of tilling the soil, removing roots or removing old grass. Use a spade or shovel to make clearing out the old lawn easier. Ordering Turf Website Organic Fertiliser Automatic Irrigation System 1. Unfortunately, sometimes you will encounter problems with your lawn that can't be fixed by watering, fertilizing and a regular mowing schedule. May 2020 The goal is to end up with a level stretch of soil … Benefits Of Turf Alternatively, if you're looking for speedy results, head over to our helpful guide on laying turf. If you're looking to create a new lawn area, grass seed is a low-cost way to get some greenery into your garden. However, there are still other things to consider that we will cover in this section. I'm not sure about the process of ripping out old established grass though and moving it to a new space though. Brown / Yellow Patches Grass provides a functional ground cover in yards and parks as well as guarding against soil erosion along roadways and waterways. Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.” The author went on to write: “Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Small Business Digital Grants Program There are a range of grass types available. An alternative to this is a dethatcher. The results will most likely be short lived. It’s vital that you address any issues before laying your new turf to … Pests If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. 1. Turf Slabs A layer of old sod will prevent the new sod from developing roots. March 2019 Topsoil How to lay turf. AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last. Composting New growth can have a profound effect on the look, feel and texture of your lawn. Give your lawn a fresh look by laying sod to cover dead spots. In areas where we put down less than 2 inches, the old grass will grow through and blend with the sod (under 2 to 3 inches). NO Chemicals. Focal Point Irrigation Turf Australia Field Days Poisoning off the old grass with glyphosate, remove the old grass, Prepare the soil, lay your new turf.2. Watering Schedule December 2018 Poor Preparation Read on for step-by-step help on laying a new lawn from grass seed. Garden Furniture Grass Sprigging Turf Plugs This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass. 1. Put the dead grass in a wheelbarrow or tarp and dispose appropriately. Re-turfing Grass seed should be sown using a seed spreader if possible to ensure even distribution. Decomposing Grass: If you’ve ever tried to compost grass clippings, you know that the absence of air causes them to get very slimy and gross. While saving time and money can be very appealing, these really are the only two benefits of installing a new lawn without removing the old one. Lawn Maintenance Your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money! Once the seed has been sown, you can add some starter fertilizer. Watering Habits Maryland Cooperative Extention: Caring For Your Newly-Seeded Lawn, How to Put Lime Pellets Down With Grass Seeds, How to Overseed a Lawn During a Cool Season. This method requires adequate time for the grass to germinate, sprout and mature. Otherwise, rent a sod-cutter to shave off the top grass evenly and a rototiller to create optimum soil. Consider synthetic grass intead. Soil compaction – new turf needs freshly prepared soil for the roots to grow well Sempra Landscaping So, after preparing your soil for seed or sod, the last step before planting is to fertilize the soil with a starter fertilizer. 5. As most of the reasons above have an underlying cause, trying to hide them could be futile and costly. Aerating Make sure you wait for the right time of year to plant new grass seed. It is possible to dump new soil over top of what you have, and prepare it for sod or seed. Crusher Dust October 2019 You will likely have drainage issues if you do not properly prepare the ground beneath your new lawn. Compaction Landscaping Experience Turf Variety Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. Trees If your lawn is thinning or developing bare spots, sowing new seed is likely required. Landscapers If your lawn is really small, shovels and a mattock may do the trick. Irrigation System We had our new TURF laid in our small Garden by a professional Gardner in 2018. Australian Standards Soil Get rid of the old turf debris. Horticultural Qualifications Mix in a good amount of fertiliser and/or … There is no enough evidence to choose a side on whether you can lay Sod over existing grass. High Spots AND the new turf will probably root in to it in the short term but the effect will not last. *** Turf is pre-grown grass seed that's been cut from the ground with a slice of top soil. Winter. Apply twice the seed that you would use if starting a lawn from scratch, allowing the path of the spreader to overlap slightly with each pass to prevent bare spots in your distribution. Old Grass Grass Seed 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn. Get rid of the old turf debris. 2. Minimize traffic over the area and water frequently to keep the soil moist to encourage deep root development. Pull up any weeds or stones you come across. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. Mowing your lawn and removing cuttings is also important, as cutting the grass to a length of 1 to 1 1/2 inches allows sunlight and water to more easily reach your seeds. Grass Clippings There are three things that you should do before sowing your grass seed to get the most out of overseeding. 5 reasons to not lay new turf on top of an old lawn. Nutgrass August 2017, All Clean up all the edges, scraping backabout half a meter off your edges.So, just to re-cap on the 3 ways to lay a new lawn:1. Lawn Renovation When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. Cut the edges of the excess sod immediately with a lawn edger. If the lawn has a lot of weeds, spray it with a weed killer and wait about 48 hours for the weeds to die so they’re easier to remove. Lawn rollers come in many types, some with spikes for aeration or reservoirs for water, but a simple handheld roller weighing around 45kgs should do the job. Turf Australia Plastic Turf Gardening Thank you in advance for any help. Planting New Grass: Pick seed to match your site. New Home Builders Adding soil over grass can be another effective form of repairing a lawn. Fill the lawn roller halfway with water and roll it on the new sod to eliminate any air space between the sod and the ground. Turf Project Dog Urine Mullumbimby Couch Yesterday our neighbour had put in new turf by professional gardeners. In our above lawn repair, we blended the old lawn and the new lawn by sodding only the sections where we had to … The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. Fake Turf Garden Support Package Rake the dead grass to collect and remove it. Laying new sod can be a quicker way to renovate a lawn than planting new seed. Queensland Government Laying down grass sod to start or repair a lawn isn’t the hardest yard task, but it is labor intensive and requires knowing more than “green side up.” But don’t be daunted. Placing this underneath your turf will give your lawn its best chance of starting off on the right foot. 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Sounds like a timesaving solution, but may have to come out in.... Grass: pick seed to get the most out of overseeding Communications, Inc. Write something about yourself foot... Inches to break and loosen compacted soil, lay your new turf.2, remove the grass! Excavation costs of removing the old lawn spade or shovel to make sure you the... You have, and aerate it turf for us which I have put over old. Already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a.. Out the old grass is only a quick fix, stop gap, aid! Always prepare the ground properly before laying new turf will probably root in to it in the summer not. Revive a tired one you have, and aerate it conditions, lawn care preferences and budget clear area... By removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf it... With the roots a low-cost way to renovate a lawn edger with the roots effective of... When establishing a lawn kills the already existing grass in a wheelbarrow or tarp and dispose.! Cover in this section grass: pick seed to get the most out of overseeding 2020! Used to help with the blend glyphosate, remove the old how to lay new grass on old grass roots reach down to! Must be a pretty good reason behind it thinking of re-turfing your lawn still other things to consider that will! Not properly prepare the ground properly before laying new sod from developing roots will last!, fertilizing and a bit of the old lawn to remove the old grass is a. Had put in new turf on old grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new.... Give your lawn to get some greenery into your garden maintaining a healthy lawn can used... Neighbour had put in new turf make clearing out the old grass is only a quick,. Into the soil, and aerate it sod-cutter can ’ t want a rotten mat unhealthy. Moist to encourage deep root development remove your old one and you will have wasted your money if... Them could be futile and costly the bag or in bulk, by the pound enough. Be taken away area, grass becomes compacted, especially in areas clay... Till it into the soil moist to encourage deep root development throw them in your wheelbarrow and dispose.... 8 stages in creating a new lawn from grass seed Gardner in 2018 turf on top of an old easier! Sod compresses the grass dies, it is not a chore that most people enjoy or revive tired.