Lay turf on existing grass? (2024)

Can you lay turf over existing grass?

We do not recommend laying turf on existing grass, as this will prevent the new turf from rooting well. It's also possible for weeds to come through the new turf. The lawn is likely to deteriorate over time if the reason for relaying the lawn is not addressed.

What happens if you lay sod over grass?

One of the most important reasons why you should not lay sod over an existing lawn is that when you lay sod over existing grass, the roots of the sod won't make contact with the soil beneath. This means that the sod will have a harder time taking root and may eventually start to die.

How do you remove old grass before laying new turf?

First, cut squares into your turf (around 30cm²) across the lawn surface. This will ensure you dig out the roots – dig down around 8cm to remove most of them. Then, slice the upper surface of the turf away with the spade, disposing of the old sod in your compost bin — old turf makes excellent compost.

Do I need topsoil before laying turf?

Turf is a made up of thousands of living plants and all plants need growing medium to support them. So the answer to the question “Do you need topsoil to lay turf?” is a hearty yes.

When shouldn't you lay turf?

Avoid laying turf from mid-spring to early autumn, as it would struggle to establish during hot weather and would need repeated watering.

How long does it take for sod to root?

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it's critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

Can I lay sod without tilling?

You don't have to rototill before laying sod but, we strongly recommend it. Go over the area multiple times to break up any large clumps.

Is it OK to put sod on top of a few weeds?

Weeds are extremely resilient, and will more than likely work its way through your brand new sod. So make sure you get rid of all the weeds before laying any new sod! The best way to get what it needs is for the sod to be laid flush against the soil.

How much topsoil do I need under turf?

Turf ideally needs around four inches of top soil to root in. Not everyone will need to add four inches however, you may just need to add an inch or two depending on the quality and depth of the existing soil.

How long after laying turf can you walk on it?

How long does it take turf to settle? On average, it's OK to walk on a new turf around 3 weeks after installation. But everything depends upon weather, time of year and how well the ground was prepared. Only when the roots have penetrated the soil below and established is the 'new' lawn ready for action.

What is the easiest way to remove old grass?

The fastest way to remove a lawn is to physically remove the sod by cutting it into strips with a sod cutter, rolling the strips up, and either taking them away or turning them over and letting them compost in place.

What should you not do when laying sod?

Can I put topsoil over grass and reseed?

Do not put top soil over grass seed, but you can add a thin layer of organic matter to help the seed to germinate. 'Never put topsoil over newly planted grass seed,' says Yamaguchi. 'This won't provide healthy growing conditions – it will actually prevent the seedlings from sprouting by essentially suffocating them.

Can I just lay sod on dirt?

If you do install sod over bare ground, make sure you properly prepare it before diving in. You'll need to till the soil and make sure it's level before laying down the sod. Additionally, you'll want to test the soil to ensure it has the proper nutrients to help your sod thrive.

What is the best prep for laying turf?

Preparing to lay the perfect lawn includes the following: Clear away any plants, weeds and debris. Dig or rotovate soil to at least 15cm deep. Improve soil texture or quality if necessary.

What is the best prep for turf?

Rake or till the fertiliser into the top 25mm of the soil. Rake the soil smooth and remove all stones and other debris (greater than 6mm) and any perennial weeds. Two days before the turf is to arrive, water the soil to a depth of 75mm to make the soil moist.

Do I need to fertilize before laying turf?

Yes, you have to use a pre-seed Fertiliser for the best results. With the help of this fertiliser, you will be able to provide all the required nutrients available for your new grass seed or turf to grow thick and healthy.

Can you lay turf wrong?

Placing the turf over existing turf, a garden border or some other non-earth surface will cause the grass to dry out. This effect can spread throughout the rest of the turf and make the grass prone to pests. Check that the turf is firmly placed against the soil and trim it where required so it sits correctly.

What happens if you lay turf on uneven ground?

Turf can't be laid on an uneven surface because it makes it more likely for turf to bubble, slump, and tear, which is why proper installation is important. To make sure your turf lives up to its fullest potential of a long lifespan, make sure you select the right turf for the job and maintain it.

What not to do on turf?

What time of year is best to lay sod?

Generally it is best to lay sod during the active growing period of your turfgrass species: cool-season grasses do best when planted during the early fall or early spring and the warm-season grasses do best when planted mid-late spring.

What time of day is best to lay sod?

Lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. If you lay sod in the heat of summer, moisten the surface of the planting area before putting down the turf.

Why can't you walk on new sod?

Take care not to walk or run on new sod, as this can prevent the fragile young roots from developing properly. If you have pets, try to prevent as much contact with the newly installed sod as possible.

How deep should I dig before laying sod?

Your prepped dirt should be at least 6 inches deep. That way, your sod will grow into deeply rooted grass. Test the fresh terrain using a soil test kit. You'll want to assure the pH and mineral levels are ideal.

How much sod can one person lay in a day?

Lay sod on the day of delivery

The average person can comfortably lay 2,000 to 2,500 square feet in one eight-hour day. Make sure your yard is completely ready before delivery or pick-up, and order only what you can lay in one day. Sod is perishable!

Can you throw grass seed on top of sod?

Yes, you can seed over dead sod in a process called overseeding. Instead of going through the trouble of uprooting the entirety of the dead sod, you can utilize it to regrow new grass instead. When you seed a dead lawn grows new grass in three to four weeks time.

Does sod require more water than seed?

Typically, in the hotter months, a large amount of water is needed to install sod, but once sod has established a root system, less water is needed. Rooting for new sod takes about 2-3 weeks. New seeding requires multiple daily applications of water to maintain adequate moisture to prevent the seed from drying out.

Will grass grow through 2 inches of topsoil?

Most types of grass can grow through 2 inches of topsoil placed on top of it if the existing established plants are healthy. Grass often grows through topsoil when a thinner layer of topsoil is placed on top of an old lawn.

Should you compact soil before laying turf?

Should You Compact Turf Underlay Before Laying Turf? Best practices when laying turf include using a roller to firm the soil, but don't compact it too much or you'll be left with an uneven lawn.

Can you lay turf directly on soil?

You certainly can lay your new turf over an existing lawn. But this method is not recommended by many experts, and that is for good reasons. You stand a better chance of having the lawn of your dreams by using the normal method and preparing your soil properly before laying your turf.

Why is my newly laid turf turning brown?

The key reason why lawns turn brown is that they're thirsty. Areas where sod is wilting or turning brown, indicate that it's not getting enough water. New sod must get plenty of water to establish its roots. Typically, you water fresh grass at least twice a day (more often if hot) for at least a week to two weeks.

How often do you cut new turf?

How often can you mow new turf? It's best to mow your new turf at least twice a week during late spring and early autumn and twice a week during the summer, Harry says.

Why is my new turf spongy?

According to the experts: 'A build up of thatch of more than a couple of centimetres is often the cause behind lawns that feel spongy underfoot and aren't growing particularly well. This can be rectified by scarifying the lawn.

What is the hardest grass to get rid of?

That's why quackgrass — also known as couch grass, twitch, quick grass, quitch grass, dog grass, scutch grass and witchgrass — is considered one of the hardest weeds to eradicate. “Quackgrass is a large nuisance in home lawns because it is tough to get rid of,” says Drew Wagner of Sod Solutions.

What to do with completely dead grass?

There is no way to revive dead grass, but you can lay new sod to grow your landscape again from scratch. If you notice brown, bare, or thinning areas in your lawn, these are clear signs that you need to sow new seed or replace the sod.

How do I get rid of grass without digging?

Smother. Perhaps the easiest way to eliminate grass is to smother it using plastic, newspaper, or cardboard. Depending on the time of year and material used, this can take several months. Learn more: Watch how to build a new garden bed and smother weeds with sheet mulching.

Does sod look dead at first?

If it's the first time you've ever laid sod, you might mistakenly think that this brown sod is dead, but that's not the case! Brown sod is not always dead sod. Brown sod usually indicates that the grass has gone dormant for some reason.

What happens when you put topsoil over grass?

Topdressing helps increase and retain the soil nutrient, it helps the grass fight diseases and resist pests. It's also useful for improving drainage, which will result in a thicker lawn. It decreases the chance of moss and weed infestations. When you topdress, it helps break down thatch and grass clippings.

Is it good to put top soil over grass?

Routine topdressing improves thatch breakdown and improves the soil. However, it does raise the grade of your yard. To ensure you don't raise it too much, it's best not to topdress your entire lawn routinely. Treat bare spots as needed and the entire lawn every few years.

What is the best soil to Topdress a lawn?

It is best to use compost or a sandy type loam to spread on the lawn. Before you actually spread the dressing, make sure the grass is actively growing. Topdressing dormant grass may damage it. You should fertilize the lawn a couple of weeks before topdressing; this will help the grass push through the soil quickly.

Can you turf over existing grass?

Removing an existing lawn

If you have an existing lawn this needs to be removed first. We do not recommend laying turf on existing grass, as this will prevent the new turf from rooting well. It's also possible for weeds to come through the new turf.

How do you test soil before laying sod?

The easiest way to get your lawn soil tested is with SoilKit – an at-home soil sample collection kit paired with a pre-paid sample mailer. You send your soil sample off to a professional laboratory and then receive a detailed analysis along with specific expert recommendations for fertilizer and soil amendments.

How do I start a new lawn from an old lawn?

Can I grow new grass on top of grass?

Overseeding can help you get back to the thick, lush, green lawn you've always wanted. By spreading grass seed over your existing lawn, you can thicken up the thin areas, and your lawn will start to look terrific again.

How long does turf last once laid?

Once turf has been cut and rolled, the shelf life is typically 24 hours. After this the turf will begin to deteriorate and die.

How long does turf take to root?

How long does it take for new turf to bond to the soil? If you water little and often (and every day), the roots of the new grass plants will bond to the soil in 2-3 weeks. Check whether the roots have adhered to the soil surface by gently lifting a small corner of the turf.

Do I need to remove dead grass for new grass to grow?

Allowing the dead grass to build up also weakens the grass around it and will cause even more of it to die. So removing it is important. Especially if you are planting grass and have more than a half inch of dead grass anywhere in your lawn it needs to be removed before the new seed is planted.

Can I put topsoil on top of grass?

Can I put topsoil over grass? If you're looking for a short answer, then yes, you can put topsoil over grass and existing garden lawns. Although it's possible for grass to grow through the topsoil, this can only be successful depending on the thickness of topsoil applied as a top dressing.

How do you spread topsoil over an existing lawn?

What not to do after laying turf?

It is not advisable to roll after laying as this will squash air out of the soil and will destroy the crumb structure. Nature will quickly press the turf down with the first shower of rain. Newly laid turf must be well watered, and then kept damp for 2-4 weeks until the lawn is fully established.

How soon can you walk on new turf?

HOW SOON CAN I WALK ON MY NEW TURF? Ideally, you should wait 3 weeks before allowing yourself to feel the grass beneath your feet!

Should you roll freshly laid turf?

Rolling after the turf installation process will also improve root-to-soil contact and remove air pockets. The use of a heavy roller will create better contact between your new turf and the soil surface allowing new roots to better penetrate and help prevent the new turf from drying out as much.

What should turf be laid on?

The best surface for turf laying is one that the grass can root into easily. The surface needs to be firm enough to not dent if anyone walks on it, but it needs to be spongy enough to absorb rainwater. Ideally, it will also be nice and level so that your new lawn will be easy to mow.

Why is my new turf not rooting?

The Soil Wasn't Properly Prepared

Your new sod needs to establish its roots in the soil, to take advantage of the water and nutrients there. Leaving a layer of grass underneath your new sod prevents it from taking root and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients and moisture.

How deep does turf grow?

Turf is typically around 25mm thick, and should sit a little bit higher than paths or edges. Don't rush your soil levelling job – the last thing you want is a bumpy lawn.