can I use old turf???

[fruit&vegvirgin]

just decided to make one of the garden beds larger, so have done the bit with the hose and chopped the new line. can I use some of the old turf to fill in a hole elsewhere, where we took a tree out years ago? and if so, do I need to 'weed' out the grass there first, and put in compost or something to bring the level up? then what - cut the turf to shape with an old knife?
many thanks grapes!

[andrewo]

You can use the turf to patch up other areas, but you will need to make sure that you raised the turf with a good root structure and soil beneath. You will then have to raise the level of any area that will need to be done so that the turf adheres to the growth around it and you don't get dips, you can bed it down on on compost or misture of compost and sharp sand. Just use a knife to marry the the shape of the turf to the hole and water if the weather turns hot as the turf could shrink.

[nick the grief]

Rather than trying to cut the turf to fit the hole, over lap it all the way round then cut through both the turf & the lawn underneath (doesn't need to be straight) remove the waste turf & the lawn under the new turf & the two edges should be mirror images if you see what I mean.

Bit like this:-

[fruit&vegvirgin]

ok, so I need to fill the hole in with something decent, and then do nick's thing about overlapping?

[Alice]

Hello fruit and veg virgin. Yes you can use the turf to fill in holes. What I do is level the hole the best I can with compost, soil, sand or whatever i have, then cut the turf to make the best fit i can. Grass grows, oh how does it grow. The laid turf will quite quickly spread to fill in any uneven edges.Once the laid turf is established if you find it is not quite level you can put soil, compost ,sand or a mixture over the uneven area to level it up. The grass will grow through it no bother at all. if the weather is very dry it helps if you water the newly laid turfs. Sure this will work for you.

[fruit&vegvirgin]

thanks alice. the holes are quite deep, so I think I need to try and get some top soil in them first - waste bits of turf upside down maybe??

[fruit&vegvirgin]

well, I just cracked on with it. the father-in-law, and resident family lawn expert, said it would be fine. looks a bit pale and yellow today, so will be out tonight with the watering can...

[Jaxom]

Just found a tip for fixing dips and holes in lawns. Cut an X into the area of the dip/hole and peal back the turf to revel a square of bare earth in the middle. Fill Square with topsoil, which has been put through a riddle. Fold back the sections of turf over the new topsoil and pat down, then water. In a few weeks the dip/hole will look as smooth as the rest of your lawn.
Jax

[poultrychat]

I just sprinkle soil on top of the grass where is it uneven, I think JI 3 is the one but read the back of the bag, it tells you whether it's the right one or not and the grass just grows through as long as you don't layer it on too thickly.