Turf Stack

[fiona863]

Hi, I'm a newbie on here. Have read lots about turf stacks, but not seen anything about whether I can place it on plastic sheet on gravel. It's an ideal place at the back of my greenhouse. Will still get good light but will be out of the way. What's the view on this. TIA.

[Guest]

The bottom might get a bit stinky and yucky when you go to use it where it has been festering in stagnant water but apart from that I can't see an issue. Everything needed to break the turf down should already be there.

[Nicos]

I don't see why not.

It may take a bit longer though for the worms to get established which would otherwise have come up from below, (but it's not just about worm activity)

Yep- if that's the best place for you,and there is no alternative, then I'd go ahead and do that!
Should be ready 18-24 months.

grass side down- dampen it if the soil is bone dry, and cover it with black plastic.

[Nicos]

NG- I suppose you might get liquid oozing out onto the gravel at the sides which might stain it???????

[Bigmallly]

I stacked some turfs upside down a few weeks back..................it's now 3ft high grass...............................Best get the black plastic out...........

[Guest]

NG- I suppose you might get liquid oozing out onto the gravel at the sides which might stain it???????

I tend to have stones rather than gravel so when plastic or a tarp is on it it goes quite puddley - that was all I was thinking.

[roitelet]

I would stack it on something permeable to avoid stinky water. I use an old pallet. If you stack it directly on the stones you will have a job removing the last of it when you come to use it.

[SusieG]

Turf stack

Hi, I'm a newbie on here. Have read lots about turf stacks, but not seen anything about whether I can place it on plastic sheet on gravel. It's an ideal place at the back of my greenhouse. Will still get good light but will be out of the way. What's the view on this. TIA.

Hiya! I'm not an expert, but a couple of years ago I wanted some raised beds where my lawn was. So, a bit of hard work- cutting up the turf into manageable sized pieces - stacked 'em all up, grassy side down in a massive pile. I know that it helps if it's on soil or grass, but mine were on slabs next to the shed. I covered them over with a bit of old tarpaulin (after dousing first with water) and left them to 'cook' for about 12 months. (I did raise the tarp a few times to damp down with water)
End result, gorgeous FREE homemade rich black gold compost. I used this and bought topsoil and manure to fill my newly made raised beds. Perfect!

[fiona863]

Turf Stack.

The bottom might get a bit stinky and yucky when you go to use it where it has been festering in stagnant water but apart from that I can't see an issue. Everything needed to break the turf down should already be there.

thanx for your reply, Norfolkgrey. I thought i could puncture holes in poly to let water drain. but will take advice on covering it too. It has been kept in old compost bags till now so may well be on the road to breaking down. will see when i open them. I know some bags pen at the top have grass sprouting out.

[fiona863]

turf stack

Hiya! I'm not an expert, but a couple of years ago I wanted some raised beds where my lawn was. So, a bit of hard work- cutting up the turf into manageable sized pieces - stacked 'em all up, grassy side down in a massive pile. I know that it helps if it's on soil or grass, but mine were on slabs next to the shed. I covered them over with a bit of old tarpaulin (after dousing first with water) and left them to 'cook' for about 12 months. (I did raise the tarp a few times to damp down with water)
End result, gorgeous FREE homemade rich black gold compost. I used this and bought topsoil and manure to fill my newly made raised beds. Perfect!

Thanx SusiG, I've had lots of advice, much appreciated. Currently house/cat sitting at my daughters so I will get on with the job soon as am home. Raised beds on the agenda but not for a while yet.

[fiona863]

turf stack

I stacked some turfs upside down a few weeks back..................it's now 3ft high grass...............................Best get the black plastic out...........

Thanx Bigmally, my turfs are sitting in old compost sacks already and the tops of some are sprouting too. I''ll just tuck it in and hope for the best when i stack it.

[alldigging]

Make sure it's a stable stack. We had someone build one that disintegrated a bit in the rain and then slowly slid over.

[roitelet]

Fiona, you could put some of the turf grass side down in the bottom of the raised beds. Save having to stack it all.