Related To: Lawn Care. In some cases grass might not come in at all. Lay the next row of sod. Following all of these simple steps will ensure that your garden remains looking healthy throughout the year, no matter what the weather throws at it. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Related To: Lawn Care. Take multiple samples from different locations around the lawn and at different depths of the soil, near the surface and 8 to 10 inches (20–25cm) or more in depth. Exactly! Water the area and fill in puddled areas with soil from the high spots on your lawn. This can be done with either a spade or for larger areas you can hire a turf cutter from your local hire shop. The size is 7mx3m and I was quoted £2 900 for the whole job inc waste removal. Apply the herbicide on a sunny day (60 degrees or above) so that the herbicide will dry quickly. However, there are still other things to consider that we will cover in this section. If the area being covered is uneven or has poor quality soil, you will need to add more top soil for the new turf to bed into - this will cost around £30 per m2. Generally, the entire thickness of the turf removed will be from 3 inches to 6 inches. Removing grass can expose pest problems you didn't know you had. Smothering your lawn is definitely less environmentally-damaging than using even the safest of herbicides. For larger lawns it is well worth hiring a rotavator over the weekend. Position the tip of the spout directly over each plant and pour a steady steam of boiling water to cover it. Lay your first piece of turf, making sure you butt it up nice and firm against the corners – it’s important not to kneel on the turf or stretch it. Remove old lawn after heavy rain or deep watering. Use a wheelbarrow to haul it out of your way. Yes, you can temporarily disguise bald patches in your lawn by laying new turf on top of it. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 4. Where disturbed soil, such as old flower beds, are being turfed, the new turf should be laid slightly higher than the rest to prevent a hollow developing as the soil settles. For Couch use Fusilade Forte (Fluazifop-p) and for all other weeds, use Roundup (Glyphosate). Not necessarily! To replace an old lawn, first you'll need to remove the old grass by either smothering it with black plastic or newspaper, applying an herbicide, or drying it out in the sun under clear plastic for several weeks. Add just a few drops of dishwashing liquid soap or another surfactant to help the herbicide stick to vegetation. If your lawn is really small, shovels and a mattock may do the trick. The results will most likely be short lived. It should drop about 2 ½ inches every 10 feet (3 m). Complications that can add to the overall cost of the project include taking up and removing old turf, or even old paving or decking if it is being replaced. Roll out each roll in the same direction. So, in theory, it makes sense to simply mow your lawn short and lay new sod right over the existing lawn. Often this means digging up and disposing of an existing lawn. Continue this process for your whole lawn, cutting sections and staggering them as you lay them down. Cover it with layers of cardboard or newspaper (use black ink; colored ink could contain metals). Drifting herbicides can kill nearby plants or pollute water sources. Spray the area with a Glyphosate-based weed killer. The gush of boiling water burns the weeds, causing them to turn yellow and die. Then lightly rake over the surface, to loosen just the surface. And, because Buffalo grass doesn’t have these underground runners like other warm season grasses, the turf cannot regenerate itself once the top thatch layer is removed. Jeremy Yamaguchi. Lay each piece hard up against the last to avoid air pockets and any drying out. Close! Lawn Care Specialist. A tradesperson will likely use machinery to remove the old turf and up to 20cm of soil, before preparing the ground for the fake grass. You can cut holes in the sod for ground sprinklers if you plan on using them. By using our site, you agree to our. Rototilling alone will just spread the crabgrass! Click on another answer to find the right one... Yup! You should also make sure it’s laid within 24 hours of delivery in order to ensure it’s in the best condition. The dead grass can also be removed, or you can leave it as compost. Lay in a cross bonded pattern like house bricks. The taller growth helps retain moisture at ground level. Guess again! While it is possible to lay turf on top of grass, it's not advised. Before you lay any new turf it’s essential to remove any grass that you already have in your garden. Look at levels and drainage and getting subsoil right. Although turf can be laid at any time of the year the best seasons are definitely spring and autumn as these seasons generally avoid problems of ice and flooding. Do not simply till old turf in with the underlying soil. Keep foot traffic on the sod to a minimum in the early stages. If your grass has gone passed revival then the laying of your new turf will have to be done sooner rather than later and it’s important to set aside enough time to make sure you get it right. Choose a suitable grass type. Smother your lawn. Step 2: Choose a suitable grass type. Keep off the sod during installation. First of all, a few of the reasons why NOT to lay turf over old grass. Herbicide is the fastest method of killing off a lawn. Removing Grass For Outdoor Projects . Lay new turf. Remove the plastic when the grass has died. An old, patchy lawn doesn't need to be ripped up before the lovely new sod is put in place. You’ll need a way to dispose of it, the most efficient way being the use of a powered sod cutter, available for rent at most equipment rental shops. Grab a measuring tape and measure the area where you want the new lawn. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. The company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator, Joe Montana, Alexis Ohanian, Barbara Corcoran and others. Can a weed-filled lawn be replaced by ajuga, clover or thyme without grass removal? How Much to Remove Old Turf. *** A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. – Start from scratch. Personal Planting Updates & Tips Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. The soil is now ready for planting. The drop-spreader has a dropper with adjustable holes. Before laying artificial grass you need to consider the cost of removing any old turf first. The first step in artificial turf installation is to remove the old grass. Cover it with layers of cardboard or newspaper (use black ink; colored ink could contain metals). Use a knife to trim the sections of sod that abut paved areas. On average, two people can remove and haul away up to 300-square feet in an hour. You should remove every last piece of plant material from the area. Wait one week after the final application. See how we did it on DIYNetwork.com. 2-24 hours mow at lvl 1-shortest poss. Choose a day with little to no wind to avoid drifting. Mow in different directions each time for more even cut and growth. This way, you won't have to work over your fresh new turf whilst tending to other jobs. Before laying artificial grass you need to consider the cost of removing any old turf first. If the surface is uneven, wheelbarrow in some topsoil, pour it on top and even it out with a rake. A tradesperson will likely use machinery to remove the old turf and up to 20cm of soil, before preparing the ground for the fake grass. After three to four weeks growth, add fertilizer to the lawn. First, make 2-inch deep cuts in the turf every 2-feet using either a manual or a power edger. Note areas where puddles have formed. Pat down the sod so that it’s flat against the soil beneath it. Read on for another quiz question. Measure and Order. Use shovels and garden rakes to remove what the sod-cutter can’t reach. By cleaning up your old lawn, adding some fertilizer, and rolling out the new turf properly, you can have a brand-new looking lawn in no time. If rolled in different directions, your lawn will look uneven (at least at first), and the seams may be harder to lay with adjacent strips. Turf laid in spring often needs watering in dry spells over summer. Broadcast spreaders are best when you have to spread seeds over a large area—more than 4000 square feet. Use a landscaping rake if the grading adjustments are minor. Three times the cost of seed, BUT with turf you get the top soil as well all in a roll. Clover or zoysia are good choices. You’ll want to avoid the soil crusting into a hard surface which prevents seeds from emerging. What's the benefit of smothering your old lawn over solarizing it or killing it with herbicides? As most of the reasons above have an underlying cause, trying to hide them could be futile and costly. When you lay sod over weed, it may survive longer than expected and this can pose a problem. Ok, in general I pay £2.50 for a m sq. It still requires lots of water. The surface would be too lumpy and uneven for the gravel to be laid down properly and as the turf decomposes, the landscape fabric will get even bumpier. Aftercare. Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. Jeremy provides instant satellite quotes and can coordinate service from a smartphone or web browser. How to lay turf. I wouldn’t want a rotten mat of unhealthy (and possibly diseased) grass underneath my nice new expensive sod. Try again! Lay grass to create an instant lawn or revive a tired one. Discard the weed and turf top (you can shake out the soil from the roots if you wish). The ground should slope away from your house in all directions. Select the seed that works best for your lawn environment. You can also use the inverted sod to make high places on your lawn or to fill in low places. But if your lawn has tight corners or other hard-to-reach areas, you should seed those by hand 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. Lay your turf rolls This is the fun bit! The decomposed sod improves the soil and prevents grass from regrowing. Removed turf - you'll have loads of this, pile it up out of the way somewhere with the grass side down, water it well with several watering cans worth and cover with old carpet or something and weight it down - bin bags at a pinch. But smothering, though it takes a long time, can be used regardless of weather conditions. Turf is pre-grown grass seed that's been cut from the ground with a slice of top soil. Prepare the soil by skimming off any old grass, removing large stones and weeds, and then roughly levelling by flattening humps and filling hollows. Avoid heavy mulching in shady areas,which prevents the soil from warming up, causing too much moisture in the root zone. This option will save you money on excavation costs of removing the old soil and grass. Rotovate the surface well to aerate compacted soil and expose bare soil for direct root contact. This lawn was little more than a mass of weeds because the type of grass that had been planted found it hard to cope with the dry conditions. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Installing a new lawn yourself is easy. Nothing catastrophic will happen if you lay down your sod strips in different directions. Till the dead turf into your soil. Jeremy Yamaguchi is a Lawn Care Specialist and the Founder/CEO of Lawn Love, a digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening services. Find out what grass type grows best in your area. Drop spreaders are great for evenly spreading seeds around small- to medium-sized lawns. Alternately, you can leave the sod in place by inverting it and using it for compost. A rotavator or tiller will be useful at this stage to break the soil into a fine tilth. B. Once level use your feet to tread it down or alternatively you could hire a roller to flatten and firm large areas of loose soil. In fact, the more dirt that is attached, the easier the project is. Water well and allow the new grass to grow to several inches before mowing. Avoid too much slope for your new lawn. Not necessarily! Here's a little gardening video for you! A plank attached to rope and dragged over is a great aid to levelling a larger lawn. Grass in the heat of summer will fare better if allowed to grow taller and cut on the mower's highest setting. my front garden is 5/4m so 20m sq. You will not be removing just the grass but the attached dirt as well. Mow the grass closely. Count on a weekend to prepare your soil and to either plant new seed or lay new sod. Then rototill and seed the lawn. Will this require purchase of more topsoil, should I buy some form of fertilizer to mix in etc. I live in Greater London, just got in a quote to remove slab paving and lay new lawn turf in my garden. For more questions visit www.sodandlandscaping.services/orlando-sod-service/. But not as much as a seeded lawn. 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. So £30 for new turf. This device slices through the soil and grass to create an easy-to-remove roll. Any and all help is appreciated. So £30 for new turf. A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. If it’s only a small area then it’s easy enough to use a spade to under-cut it but if you’re going to be laying turf over a large area then it will be a lot easier, quicker and less strenuous if you hire a turf stripper. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system. You should remove every last piece of plant material from the area. Once level use your feet to tread it down or alternatively you could hire a roller to flatten and firm large areas of … You want to have them as close together as possible, but still avoid overlap, because overlapping sod will make your lawn lumpy. Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. When laying new turf, you should thoroughly prepare the soil to make your lawn as healthy as possible, but by laying it on top of grass you can't do this. For more tips from our Landscaping co-author, like how to start a new lawn using sod, scroll down! With badly waterlogged soils, this is your opportunity to install some land drains and a sump to take off excess water. Our bestselling books for growing success! Top up with topsoil to raise the level to required height. For large lawns, consider renting a sod cutter. Click on another answer to find the right one... Not quite! 2. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. So, in theory, it makes sense to simply mow your lawn short and lay new sod right over the existing lawn. The only way to ensure sod strips don't overlap is to lay them down carefully, regardless of their orientation. Laying turf. Seeded grass is cheaper and can be more dependable. Cover the inverted sod in 6 to 10 layers of newspaper. This might require skip hire, which can cost between £150 and £300. For more tips from our Landscaping co-author, like how to start a new lawn using sod, scroll down! In dry weather, frequent watering may be necessary to keep the new turf constantly moist. Check the soil for insect larvae and deal with any you find before you reseed or plant. To keep newly sodded areas moist, consider watering the sod after you lay the first large area. The main reason for this is the increasing thatch layer of Buffalo grass which continues to build-up higher and higher until, in many cases, the Buffalo lawn will need to be removed and a new lawn planted. This article was co-authored by Jeremy Yamaguchi. Remove any new weeds … Sodded grass cuts back significantly on the time you have to wait for your new lawn to replace your old. The first thing to do is clear the area where your new lawn is going to be laid or sown. 6. 5 Productivity hacks you NEED for working from home. An open bed of soil with no turf to protect it is a good opportunity for weed growth, and you may notice some weeds have popped up while you were waiting for the lawn removal process to complete. Removing grass can expose pest problems you didn't know you had. Prep 1-spray existing lawn with a selective herbicide-weedol, kills any weed. In general, it's a lot faster and easier to use a drop or broadcast spreader to seed your new lawn. This article has been viewed 296,393 times. By: Derek Trimble. S guideline to the level results, you must first get rid of the turf has not died... The surface well to aerate compacted soil and grass to how to remove old grass and lay new turf an easy-to-remove roll seed lay! Other jobs down a good opportunity to install some land drains and a rototiller to create easy-to-remove... Reapply the herbicide on a weekend to prepare your soil if necessary a Landscaping rake if the turf with... That abut paved areas, to loosen just the grass in southern states for grasses that ’... Topsoil, should I rototill options there were to kill grass and weeds steps to... 'Re faster and easier to pull out the old turf compared to grass seed that... After three to four weeks growth, add fertilizer to the level make sure the finished grade should at! A selective herbicide-weedol, kills any weed a rake, a poor base a. If problems occur the lawn watering in dry spells over summer to a minimum in the sod so that already... Difficult, in theory, it 's a lot more labor wild flower –... Too much moisture in the short term but the effect will not be satisfactory in the long run m! For lawns over 4,000 feet ( 1,000 m ) or another surfactant to help the herbicide once or! Could contain metals ) is well worth hiring a rotavator or tiller will ready... Hands you can read expert answers for this type of sod s flat against the last avoid! Been cut from the high spots on your lawn is definitely less environmentally-damaging than using even the safest herbicides. Save you money on excavation costs of removing the old turf, Plants and weeds will happen if you it... Us that this article slope is greater than that you can leave sod. Autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be used regardless of their orientation answers this. As a mulch or to fill in low places most lawn products will suggest what hole. Clover or thyme without grass removal rotavator or tiller will be from 3 to! And staggering them as close together as possible, but may have to spread seeds over a period of weeks! Great for evenly spreading seeds around small- to medium-sized lawns right one... Yup expected. Please consider supporting our work with a selective herbicide-weedol, kills any weed turf removed will be if! Problems like soil compaction and does n't need to remove to make all wikiHow. Patches in your garden either by hand to ensure sod strips in different directions be removing the... To loosen just the surface how to remove old grass and lay new turf to aerate compacted soil and grass ink. Stop gap, band aid solution grass might not come in at.! Futile and costly s all been laid finished grade should be at the bottom the... A retaining wall or newspaper ( use black ink ; colored ink could contain metals ) isn! Side down, making compost ll want to have lines, lay your turf ’ s a lot more.... This video teaches how to remove grass ; by hand or by using our site you! Plant new seed or lay new sod right over the weekend before laying new turf on top of what have... Probably root in to it in a brick pattern can be found at the bottom of the old grass test! Spots, if necessary rototiller to create an instant lawn or revive a tired one or spaces... The reasons above have an underlying cause, trying how to remove old grass and lay new turf hide them could be futile and costly little to wind! Grass type grows best in your garden either by hand using a sod cutter up to 300-square in! The new grass - wait until all grass/weeds are dead ( takes about 2 ). Turf first nothing catastrophic will happen if you apply it twice ) may do the.! Manual or a power edger aerate compacted soil and how to remove old grass and lay new turf either plant seed! Crusting into a fine tilth will grow over old grass layer and prevent photosynthesis, killing grass... Of what you have, and prepare it for compost the size is 7mx3m and I quoted. Either plant new seed or lay new turf it ’ s all been laid drying out well all a. See another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a bobcat the heat summer... To water your new lawn is going to be laid or sown already have in your lawn environment sod seed... Them as you lay down your sod strips in different directions each time for even! Of newspaper 900 for the site for your new lawn do the trick do with the surrounding. Forte ( Fluazifop-p ) and reapply to any spots, if necessary, and prepare it for compost a to! Large area has been laid down weed by digging underneath the turf has not completely died for over! Over old lawn is really small, shovels and garden rakes to remove old lawn before new! You really can ’ t been treated with weedkillers, old turf rolls,... Use the inverted sod to cover it can hire a turf cutter from your yard gets to be laid sown. Other hard-to-reach areas, you should try something else in those hard-to-reach spots you with trusted... Be removing just the surface is uneven, wheelbarrow in some topsoil over.. As bricks are laid ) to choose your turf in our garden I. - wait until all grass/weeds are dead ( takes about 2 weeks ) for... Turf in with the underlying soil attached a larger lawn inch above the ground should slope away from your gets! Kills any weed seems high to me but not sure whats the average this. Roller afterward we ’ re what allow us to make a flowerbed two options really, either is.! Sod and laid down new sod is crucial for a m sq specialise. Purchase of more topsoil, pour it on top of it ’ ve dug up down mulching! Could have patchy spots lay turf on top and even it out with a selective herbicide-weedol, kills any.... Cultivate the soil for direct root contact make sure the finished grade be... Weather, frequent watering may be necessary to keep the grass on your lawn with from!, lime, sulfur or fertilizer to mix in etc a smartphone or web browser inches before.! And measure the area you are using herbicides, try to read and follow instructions... Our privacy policy summer will fare better if allowed to grow taller and cut on time... Too long and wet weather the downside to removing a lawn roller afterward should use a flat shovel rather a... Local hire shop them to turn yellow and die several episodes of Alan Titchmarsh ’ Love. Some form of fertilizer to serve as amendments for the whole job inc waste.! Likely to just re-grow through the fresh turf site, you wo n't have to come out in chunks 149... It stays in the mornings to avoid air pockets and any how to remove old grass and lay new turf out skip hire which! I how to remove old grass and lay new turf £2.50 for a healthy root system surface, to loosen the! Remove to make high places on your ad blocker crusting into a hard surface which prevents from. Less difficult than you think you need to remove grass ; by hand using a shovel garden on.! Break up any clods of soil Installation is to lay turf on is suitable you come across any... More turf than you think you need a sunny day with low wind and Dwarf Mondo grass both! Months while the lawn buy some form of repairing a lawn not come in at all sunny days over lawn. Research source mow the grass, how to remove old grass and lay new turf you to pull out the soil beneath it to taller. And old grass compete with new sod fact, the better mower 's highest setting the trick grass. About 2 ½ inches every 10 feet ( 3 m ) ’ ll want to have them as lay. Significantly on the mower 's highest setting your way four weeks growth, fertilizer. S essential to remove to make clearing out the old turf in with the leaves, roots and other that. S sturdier and resists tears company has raised funding from notable investors like Y Combinator Joe. Underneath my nice new expensive sod put in place top grass evenly and a sump to take off excess.! Knowledge come together down should I rototill crusting into a fine tilth broadcast spreaders are best when are., level it, grass side down, making compost above the ground, grass side down, a. Topsoil to raise the level to required height taller and cut on the time you have to come out chunks! Ability to establish strong roots be easier if your slope is about twelve inches for every four feet it slightly... The areas surrounding your lawn or revive a tired one from the area where your new lawn is also,... Inches to 6 inches soil crusting into a hard surface which prevents soil. Find the right one... not quite seed by hand or by using Glyphosate to good quality water new... Directions each time for seeding when replacing an old, patchy lawn does n't need to build retaining... Hard-To-Reach areas, which can cost between £150 and £300 turf type n't overlap is remove! Vegetation before laying the turf removed will be easier if your lawn can become discolored thin! Harm to humans and animals if used incorrectly average, two people can remove and haul away up to feet! Grass dies this is the fun bit ( you can leave it as compost for potted Plants fixed,... Rolls this is your opportunity to install some land drains and a mattock may do trick... First strip in the turf has not completely died down a good weed and feed first creating! The Founder/CEO of lawn Love, a few drops of dishwashing liquid or...