Whether you are installing a new lawn, or you need to top-dress an existing lawn, which is the best soil for turf?
Turf Underlay
Turf underlay is the foundation or bed for your turf to grow on, you only get one chance to get this right as once your turf is down it’s too late. This is generally a mix of the following;
- Washed river sand, medium to course particles – some % of clay is present which helps to compact and form a base.
- Some heavier soil is generally added which helps to hold moisture and mixed with the sand. This creates a free-flowing profile for water movement.
- A composted material is then added. This can be green waste, chicken or animal manure and some natural nutrients to help balance your PH levels.
Once this is all mixed together it will form the turf underlay you require. A firm base that allows water movement downwards and allows for water retention. This allows the turf roots system can develop and establish. The aim is to promote a healthy root system that will protect the turf from weather conditions such as droughts and winter frost.
When you put in your turf underlay, it is recommended to apply to a depth of 100mm as a minimum. Sometimes more is necessary dependent on the base you are working with. Prior to spreading your turf underlay spray out all existing weeds and grasses. Once you spread your turf underlay ensure it is leveled, rolled and watered prior to installing your new turf.
Top dressing
For a top-dressing material, we always like to use Plasterers Sand. It doesn’t compact quite as hard as brickie’s sand. It is generally easier to screed and level due to the lower clay and silt content and reduces the likelihood of the surface crusting and become hydrophobic.
Top-dressing your lawn allows you the opportunity to fill in any unevenness and should only be applied at no more than 5-10mm in thickness at a time. The sand should be rubbed in evenly using a lawn level bar, working the sand down into the turf thatch layer. When preparing your turf for topdressing apply a general-purpose fertiliser, wetting agent. Water this in well a couple of days prior to top-dressing. This will give your turf the growth required to surge through the topdressing sand.
