When a rolled turf is delivered, the subsoil should be properly prepared. The green carpet only develops its phenomenal appearance where it can take root best. The following soil preparation guide explains what really matters when it comes to ready-made turf.

How to professionally remove old lawn

Where rolled turf is to replace a worn-out lawn, the old patchwork quilt has to give way. So that the subsoil can settle before laying, we recommend starting the preparation of the soil about 14 days before the delivery of the rolled turf. How to do it right:

  • Cut the previous lawn into strips with a lawn peeling machine
  • Roll up each sheet and discard
  • Alternatively, remove the old green space with a spade

Turf cutters can be rented from regional machine rental companies for a daily price of 65 to 72 euros. Thanks to their compact design, the devices are manoeuvrable enough to remove the lawn even in small gardens.

Soil preparation for rolled turf - explained step by step

If there was no lawn at the intended location, skip the prologue and go straight to soil preparation. The laying of rolled turf is possible from March to October. Choose a dry, frost-free day to avoid unnecessary compaction. Follow these steps:

  • Thoroughly clear the area of weeds, roots and stones
  • Enrich heavy clay soil with fine-grained sand
  • Mill the subsoil or dig at least 1 spade deep
  • Level the ground with the rake and smooth it out with the rake
  • Consolidate the ground with a roller or step on it with your shoes

Ideally, as part of the soil preparation before rolling, you should apply a phosphate-rich starter fertilizer that will help the turf to grow. A mix of sifted compost and horn meal is used in the ecologically managed garden. The subsoil is repeatedly watered until the rolled turf is delivered, most recently on the evening before it is laid.

Green manure creates the best framework conditions

If the laying of rolled turf on a piece of fallow land is planned for spring, green manuring in the summer of the previous year creates a vital substrate for the new green. Field beans, Persian clover or yellow lupins are suitable seed mixtures. This measure loosens the soil, stimulates soil life and improves ventilation.

The green manure is mowed in good time before seed formation and worked or milled into the soil. Then tackle the soil preparation in the sequence explained.

tips and tricks

A wildflower meadow as turf? There really are. Developed for the Federal Horticultural Show in Munich, the piece of grass with the picturesque name 'Albrecht-Dürer-Rasen' caused a sensation. The homage to the painter's famous still life is considered an interesting alternative to the uniform ornamental lawn for the natural garden.

Category:

Garden design