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Problem with newly laid turf

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bluegeranium | 18:34 Thu 29th Mar 2012 | Gardening
5 Answers
Hi

Nearly 2 weeks ago we replaced our old uneven lawn with new turf. Topsoil was added to even it out.

The turf was laid and we watered it regularly. However it is still very uneven possibly because we have walked on it after the first week not realising that it should be left longer!

What would be the best thing to do now? maybe a roller would be a good idea or should we keep watering and just not walk on it?

How long should it be watered assuming there is still no rain and when can we walk on it?



thanks
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Rolling uneven turf will make bigger undulations than making it better. You are right though, walking on newly laid turf caused it to be uneven.

Get some planks to walk on, moving them so pressure is not always on the same place.

Using the planks towalk on, roll back the turf or cut it and fill the dips with more soil. Smooth it down, replace the turf and...
18:53 Thu 29th Mar 2012
You can do one of to things:

1) As you suggested roller, however that only works on small bumps and will not remove any dips.

2) Wait until Autumn then put on top soil and let the grass grow through.

There is a book called the lawn doctor.
Did you 'heel' in your topsoil? That's often the problem.

http://www.lawnwizard.co.uk/tip_layturf.html
Rolling uneven turf will make bigger undulations than making it better. You are right though, walking on newly laid turf caused it to be uneven.

Get some planks to walk on, moving them so pressure is not always on the same place.

Using the planks towalk on, roll back the turf or cut it and fill the dips with more soil. Smooth it down, replace the turf and with anothr plank...place the plank on the relaid turf and walk on the plank to compact the soil underneath. This is even pressure and wont cause dips.

Rewater regularly and keep off it for at least 3 weeks. You can use the planks after watering allover the lawn eg stading on one moving the second in front of the first.......long and labouring Im afraid. You will need to water as the turf needs it, specially in very hot dry weather for the first summer.

Good luck
sprinkling bonemeal before laying the turf may have helped, have a look here to see if this can help.

http://www.gardenhealth.com/lawn-care/


Dave.
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Thanks for the replies. It seems I will just have to wait a while and then I think I will put some topsoil on the hollows and add some grass seed using something to stand on (that's the hard part I don't have any planks and don't want to particularly go and buy some even if they would fit in the car!!!
Not sure how long I should leave it before I do that though?

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