I'm looking to lay some turf to create a lawn in my garden. I've already removed some crazy paving and dug down to the layer of concrete beneath it. The area now seems to be filled with small stones and sand. What steps should I take to prepare this surface for turf? Would adding a 5cm layer of topsoil be sufficient?
2 Answers
For good root development, I'd recommend laying down about 3 to 4 inches of topsoil. Just placing it over the remaining materials should work, but make sure to break it up a bit first if possible. That way, it can integrate better with the soil beneath it and give your turf a solid foundation!
You'll definitely want to loosen up that soil to improve drainage and aeration. A good mix to use is topsoil combined with about a third compost. This will help the turf establish roots more effectively. Just remember, keeping the turf well-watered post-installation is key to helping those roots dig in!
Thanks for the tip! I'm having a tough time with the ground, though. No matter how much I try digging, it just won't loosen up as shown in this pic.
Would that work if I just put topsoil over what's left? I cleared a lot but it’s still a bit packed down. I drilled some holes but it’s still tough to dig through.