Help in seeding lawn or re-turfing please

johndoe

Hi all,

I asked a similar question over a year again but never got round to actually doing anything!
Basically, I've decided to try and seed it so now need to prepare it. I've sprayed glyphosate  all over it and it now looks like this



What is the next recommended step please? Can I just turn over the soil/stuff with a spade/fork? Do I need to remove the moss/dead grass/ straw/ stones first?

Thanks for any advice.

Dovefromabove

Everything you need to know is here

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-prepare-ground-for-a-new-lawn/ 

Hope that helps 

johndoe

Dovefromabove said:

Everything you need to know is here

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-prepare-ground-for-a-new-lawn/ 

Hope that helps 

Thanks!
That does help! I'll give that a go. Not sure how the guide knows it's a 30 minute job though as it doesn't know the size of my garden! Pretty sure it's going to take a lot longer.

Can anyone confirm that I can just leave the straw and the stones there and just turn them over with the soil?

K67

 you need to get everything out, weeds, dead grass, stones etc. You are aiming for a fine filth for seed sowing and  turf would be better with a good level base. 
There are no shortcuts if you want a decent long lasting lawn

Fairygirl

I'd agree - start with a good clean slate - or as near to that as you can.
If you're in an area that's still struggling with very dry conditions, I'd wait till there's been decent rain. That ground will be hard to deal with otherwise. You might be able to scrape all the rubbish, and the top layer, off though. 

Obelixx

As with decorating, preparation is key and the better the prep, the better the result and it will be much easier to maintain and keep looking good and healthy for years.

glasgowdan

Back of a rake will scrape off the dead weeds and stones from the surface. Pile it all in bags and take it to the tip. If the ground needs worked/rotovated, I wouldn't bother removing any of it until after you're rotovated and started the levelling process and just remove what's on the surface. 

johndoe

glasgowdan said:

Back of a rake will scrape off the dead weeds and stones from the surface. Pile it all in bags and take it to the tip. If the ground needs worked/rotovated, I wouldn't bother removing any of it until after you're rotovated and started the levelling process and just remove what's on the surface. 

Thanks guys.
So just to be clear, I will be turning over the whole garden with a spade anyway. 
So do I still need to remove the dead weeds and stones BEFORE turning? (I assume this is the same type of process as rotovating) 

I think @glasgowdan is suggesting I just need to remove anything from the surface AFTER I've turned it whereas the other guys, I think, are suggesting, I need to do it before?

 

Dovefromabove

I pick up stones, roots etc as I dig ... and I find digging with a fork much the best way ... stick the fork in, lift and turn it over, bash the soil with the back of the fork to break it up and pick out  stones and roots 

Fairygirl

I'd do what Dove describes - take your time and get as much of the cr*p out as you can.
Rotovating can cause issues if there are any deep rooted weeds which are still hanging around, as you can break them up and cause them to spread. It's not a big area, so you should find you can clear that fairly quickly. A fork will be easier than a spade unless the ground's nicely dampened, and you can pick out most weeds quite easily that way.
Levelling and firming and levelling again will let you see any dips and bumps before seeding/turfing. You'll probably find it  the ground] will settle over winter anyway, no matter how careful you are, so you may ned to do a  little filling of dips and levelling out next year, and a litle re seeding of bits and pieces. 

Obelixx

Fork better than a spade - easier and also better for worms and other soil organisms.