Gardening experts

[Ricey]

I know it may not be the best time of year to do this but my garden is looking a right mess and I just want to put some grass down. I bought rolls of turf but it didn't take well and has died but is slowly growing back. Plus I don't like the turf I would rather use seed and be able to have the grass in the right shape to the space I am using.



Here is a picture of it before I put the turf down. I have removed most of the bark. I want to remove all the bark now and lay grass seed and turn the majority of it into grass apart from a flower bed I will have at the top. What is the best way to do it and the equipment I need? I'm not an expert so need all the help I could get.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Benfleet A1]

It's fallen on its side as well. :smile:

 

[Ricey]

It's fallen on its side as well. :smile:

Bloody iPad! I still haven't worked out how to use it properly.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Crabby Shrimper is your man mate.

 

[Cricko]

It probably died because either you cut it to fast..you have to give the roots a chance to bed, or you brought crap turf or the subsoil is clay.

Maybe you live on a rock island :dim:

 

[Ricey]

It probably died because either you cut it to fast..you have to give the roots a chance to bed, or you brought crap turf or the subsoil is clay.

Maybe you live on a rock island :dim:

If the subsoil is clay what is the suggested method to plant grass seed?

 

[Crabby Shrimper]

Ok, where to start?

First off you want to get rid of all the old turf, plus any rocks. level the soil, then rake it, then walk over it to compact the ground, then rake again and leave for a couple of days. This should give you a decent seed bed for the best chance of germination.

I'd also get some weed control fabric, and mask over the area you want as a bed. This will make it easier to sweep off any stray grass seeds after sowing (you don't want grass in with your flowers!). You can, if you wish, leave the fabric permanently in place and just cut holes into it to plant things through. If you do, you'll need to top it with bark or chippings to hide the fabric, but it should cut down on weeds.

Next you'll want to apply a general grass seed fertiliser. Vitax do a decent granular one, but there are others around that are just as good. I'd especially recommend this as you had problems getting your turf to take.

Now for the seed. This depends on what you want it for, but assuming it's a low maintenance lawn for walking on, no sport, and not necessarily bowling green standard then I'd go for one of the quick lawn seed types. You may be tempted by general purpose, but personally I find that quick lawn is a better GP than GP! For sowing divide the lawn into square meter sections, divide up the seeds into the right amount per sqM (usually 50gm I think, but check the packet) and scatter a square at a time to get an even spread. For each square it's best to first scatter in lines (top left to bottom right) then columns. basically in a continual S shape followed by a continual N shape (hope that makes sense). It's recommended to lightly rake after this, but personally I'm too heavy handed, so I never bother (I do, however, sprinkle over some topsoil to give a very light covering) After all that you'll need to water the lawn.

A few extra points

Don't water log the area, but also make sure it doesn't dry out.

Birds are getting hungry, so covering with a crop net (held a few inches above the soil) can be fairly cheap, and save a lot of irritation in spring

The best time for sowing is September, so guess what? You're fine. The weeds are less, the moisture's right, and the seeds have plenty of time to germinate and set roots.

If you see any weeds appearing, it's worth removing them by hand. They'll fight with the grass for space and nutrients.

Think that's about it, feel free to message me if you've any more questions. Therer are several good garden centres in Oxfordshire, many of which will have people there who will know their stuff. Don't be afraid to go in and ask even the most basic questions, thousands of others do every day.

 

[Ricey]

Does it matter about the type of soil I have to plant the grass seeds? Because the soil is very clay like I think.

 

[Crabby Shrimper]

Does it matter about the type of soil I have to plant the grass seeds? Because the soil is very clay like I think.

Clay can be a bitch, but not insurmountable (and you can grow some cracking roses in it). There are several "clay buster" products on the market. Think the one we sell is vitax clay breaker, which can be quite effective. Basically, I believe the idea is to break up the clay with a fork to a depth of a few inches, and apply the clay breaking product. Then apply a couple of inches of sand (either a specialist lawn sand, or sharp sand. Don't go for one of the moss killer ones though). Finally about an inch or two of decent top soil and you're ready to sow.

I would double check that at a local garden centre though, we're fortunate enough to have really nice soil around here, so I rarely get asked questions on clay