Plastic netting in turf

Rebecca_evanson

I had a new lawn laid in October and it needs a bit of TLC, but I have discovered that it contains plastic netting - which now covers the lawn.
This is not what I had expected, how can the turf companies get away with this without it being detailed when you buy the turf? 
I am keen to remove it but that just pulls the lawn up - any suggestions ( the turf company don't respond to e mail or phone messages.)

wild edges

There's a thread here about it https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1007616/mesh-in-rolawn-turf/p6

Rebecca_evanson

Thanks, ( First timer)

wild edges

No problem. Add your comments to the general frustration. So far it doesn't seem like much notice is being taken but the more people that complain the better.

Obelixx

Could it not be a case for Trading Standards to get involved for misrepresentation of their product by failing to mention the all important/offending plastic?

Obelixx

I raised this issue with RHS Advice Service and they have replied today to say that they are actively campaigning to reduce the use of plastics in gardening and thus its presence in the environment.   I don't think they'll be taking this up as a campaign but I shall ask them to consider modifying their online advice about laying lawns from turves.

They also tell me there is a Turf Growers Association which has standards and those include notifying when mesh has been used to produce turf 
https://turfgrass.co.uk/2020/09/30/the-tga-quality-standards-for-cultivated-turf/ 

I guess the OP and anyone else affected need to check if their supplier is a member of this association and that anyone thinking of buying turf to make a new law should make sure they choose a reputable supplier and state categorically that they want no plastic mesh.

KT53

That link makes interesting reading.  If turf can be as little as 5mm thick surely it would have to incorporate netting or it would never hold together.

Presumably, members of the TGA don't provide turf to garden centres or DIY sheds, as their turf can be sat on the pallet for days on end, and certainly not laid within 24 hours of cutting .

Obelixx

The RHS Advisory service have replied again to say they have updated their website advice about lawn from turf to include info about plastic mesh and how to report suppliers who transgress.

My correspondent has also agreed to see if the subject can be mentioned in The Garden magazine.

Good result I feel.

Mike Allen

Excellent advice Obelixx.  Some matters we can perhaps sort out ourselves.  However tasks such as this, get the powers to be on yours side.

Rebecca_evanson

Thanks - here is the response I got from Rolawn who are the producers of the turf I bought;

'The reasons why Rolawn use Oxygrid are numerous and as you have seen, it contributes significantly to our environmental credentials due to reduced inputs and ‘farm miles’, and allows us to harvest a technically superior turf.  Oxygrid would only have a detrimental effect if it becomes exposed due to issues with the lawn deteriorating, and subsequently not being disposed of responsibly. 

If Oxygrid does become exposed in your garden, then you should find that it can easily be removed by cutting it with household scissors without it causing further damage to the lawn or to any wildlife.  You should also find it is easy to cut through with a knife if you wish to plant into the lawn.

Oxygrid typically degrades within 3-5 years, depending on it’s exposure to heat, light and moisture.  During this time it is unlikely that a new lawn should need scarifying (this is typically only required in mature, established lawns) and therefore shouldn’t pose an issue in this respect.'

I found this interesting piece of information on their website;

We were delighted to be an official supporter of the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2018 and the suppliers of choice for the BBC Gardeners' World Live Show gardens for growing media, mulches and turf.

I can't see that they are member fo TGA

KT53

If the RHS and TGA are serious about addressing the problem, they need to order all their members to put "This product contains plastic mesh" in bold letters in the description.

The claim by Rolawn that the plastic degrades in 3 to 5 years is BS.  Ours has been down much longer than that.  Even if it did 'degrade' in the claimed timescale it only breaks down into microplastics which are acknowledged as doing a lot of harm to the environment.