Laying turf.

[chili1]

Morning,

Quick bit of background, moved into new build a year ago. Lawn looked fine from above, but on closer inspection there was a large "hump" of soil in the middle of the garden. Developer removes 3 tonne of soil, levels and returfs whole lawn.
New lawn is ok to look at, but when you walk on it there is lots of little lumps and dips.
I plan to rotivate it, add topsoil to level and then returf.

Do I need to remove the old turf or can I break it up and just add topsoil?

Thanks.

[TheD]

If the new turf hasn't been down very long I would roll it back up before I did anything else. If you try and chew it up you will end up with more lumps than before. Cant you lift it re roll the soil and infill where needed then relay.

[chili1]

Thanks for the reply mate.

Can't lift it and infill as the turf has taken.
Thought about cutting out the bad areas, filling and laying turf on top but there is so many little holes and bumps that I might as well take the whole lot up.
Can't even get a roller to it as the council have put up a metal barrier to stop cyclists using the path at the end of the lane adjacent to my property.

So its better to get rid of the old turf before rotavating it?

Thanks.

[TheD]

If you want it bowling green standard and its taken it will all need lifted and removed. There are lawn lifting machines out there that will cut through the top 1" or so and roll it as it goes. I would hire one of these to save yourself some grief

[chili1]

Thanks D, useful info re lawn lifting machine.
I'll see if I can hire one.

Cheers.

[Steve H]

Get yourself a plastic roller that can be filled with water, that way you can lift it over the barrier. Also with the dips, sprinkle with topsoil and the grass should grow through it.
Steve

[Simpo Two]

Top dressing in small stages and levelling with a wooden batten would do it, but take some time.

[toasty]

I'm about to completely redo my garden including relaying some turf for the first time.

I found this website which might be helpful.

http://www.turfonline.co.uk/how_to_lay_turf.html

[EINSIGN]

http://www.bmsproducts.com/product/20/eng/levelawn...

[chili1]

Thanks for the replies fellas.
Bit more to think about!

[tom g]

I bought a roller when I did mine - I wouldn't bother again. It didn't really help, just made it harder to rake. Just take your time to rake it flat.

I had patches of grass when I rotatvated. It managed OK, but it was a big beast, so you may have to break it up a bit first. The end result was mostly earth, so I don;t think the grass made a big difference to the end result.