Laying new lawn

[ric1982]

Hi,


I am new to gardening in general. We have got an old paved garden (not so much garden as it doesn’t have any grass just stones). We want to lay some new lawn on it. It looks like historically there was a pond which previous owner have removed and filled with concrete and builder's rubble. So we sort of know once we start to take it out what we are going to encounter.

My question is how deep we need to dig out those rubble so that we can put some top soil so we know how much topsoil to order and how bigger the skip needed for the rubble?


The area is around 40 sq. meter.


Thanks

 

[Halitosis]

You need around 100mm of topsoil to grow and maintain a lawn. Are there any weeds grown through the stones at present? Judging from what you've stated, might it be an option to kill any weeds and remove the large pavers then just build up from there? Maybe dig a few holes around the garden to see what you find underneath, but if its all junk then you'll soon be ordering more skips and regretting having started to dig. If there is soil to be salvaged then an old shopping basket works well as a sieve.

 

[ric1982]

Thanks @Halitosis .

There are some weed growth between stones. But I am planning to clear them

You are right its just lot of builders rubble and sand underneith. However the garden looks very depressing with absolutely no green grass and only gray slabs.

On top of this, there is no side access but there is a back access around . so I see lots of long wheelbarrow trips from back to front. (about 120 meter each way).

I am guessing I will need to put 100mm compacted topsoil after removing some earth ?

 

[Halitosis]

Ouch - sounds like a brutal job. Maybe list the pavers for free on Gumtree (buyer uplifts). It’s amazing what folk will take (I once advertised half a climbing frame and someone took it!). Maybe the skip can be placed around the back?
Yes the 100mm is compacted I’m afraid

 

[Old Salt]

Lots of info on how to prep and lay here

https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/

I laid mine 9 days ago

 

[conny]

Lots of info on how to prep and lay here

https://www.lawnsmith.co.uk/

I laid mine 9 days ago

Looking at what appears to be a darkish line down the centre. Is this a joint line? Turf should be staggered like brickwork to help prevent lifting along a common edge.

 

[Old Salt]

It was staggered I think your seeing a line across alternate turfs. Rooted now so I shall give it a cut in a couple of weeks and brush in some top dressing.