Premium Lawn Preparation
Contractor Specification
Preparation for Premium Real Lawn Turf
Lawn area to be excavated to 350mm.
After excavation, the surface of the sub base to be broken up with ripper tooth and drainage assessed to make sure the sub soil is free draining and not holding water. If subsoil is not draining, further excavation and additional drainage may be recommended by your designer on site.
Supply and install 50mm depth of 1/6mm Pea Gravel to be laid over ripped subsoil and dug in. Tread in to lightly compact.
Supply and spread 200mm of GT Subsoil (80% sand) and tread to compact in layers.
Supply and spread 100mm of British sugar ‘Landscape 20’ root zone or GT Topsoil.
Tread the area several times in different directions and then rake several time also in different directions.
Rake surface to a fine tilth and make sure surface is level.
Once soil is prepared to levels, apply and rake in pre – turfing fertiliser 8:12:8, Application rate – 30 – 50g/m²
(Price excludes supply and installation of lawn surface)
PLEASE NOTE: If existing levels are less than 150mm below the finished level of the lawn and build up is required, please make an allowance for GT Subsoil to be used as the build up.
Additional Information:
Preparing The Soil
Before Turfing To get the level surface that is crucial for the best lawns, tread the area several times in different directions and then rake several times also in different directions. Then rake the surface to a fine tilth and make sure that the surface is level. This may take some time, but it is worth it, as if the surface is uneven it will result in your lawn being uneven, which will have an adverse impact on the appearance of the lawn.
Once the soil is prepared apply and rake in pre seeding fertiliser Outfield 8:12:8 Fertiliser
Laying The Turf
Begin at one side or one corner and work across so that the person laying the turf faces the bare soil. Use boards to stand on and don’t walk on the newly laid turf. Avoid foot indentations in the newly laid turf by working from boards. Lay rolls with staggered joints as in the pattern of a brick wall and closely butted together avoiding gaps.
Always push turf into a joint; never stretch the turves by pulling them. Any remaining cracks can be filled with a light soil. The turf can be simply cut using a long knife, hand saw or edging shears around edges and features. Once all the turf has been laid it can be firmed/tamped lightly with the flat end of a landscaping or hard rake.
Immediately After Laying Always water newly-laid turf immediately and for several days after laying until the turf is firmly rooted.
On hot days, you may need to commence watering large lawns prior to laying all the turf. Ensure that the new lawn is never short of water and that the water has percolated through to the underlying soil.
Lift the corners of the turf to check the soil below. Water repeatedly until the turf is well established. If rainfall is experienced you still need to check that the lawn is receiving sufficient water.
First thing in the morning or late in the evening are ideal times to water your new turf so that less water is lost to evaporation.