Turfing exeter ⋅ turfing exmouth ⋅ turfing topsham ⋅ turfing sidmouth

• Turfing your garden
• Shady gardens
• Thin patch grass
• Poor drainage
• Heavy clay soils
• Further ideas ⋅ inspirations

TURFING GUIDE • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM

Here’s Exeter Landscapes’ guide to achieving a great lawn.  Exeter landscapes provide turfing services throughout Exeter, Topsham, Exmouth and Devon.  Here are our top tips for turfing in Exeter and Exmouth. 

Turfing Exeter • Turfing Your Garden • Shady Gardens • Thin Patchy Grass • Poor Drainage • Heavy Clay Soils 

TURFING YOUR GARDEN⋅ EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH

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GETTING STARTED • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH

OLD LAWNS • TURFING EXETER

Your lawn has seen better days. Maybe is tired, thin, and patchy.  It might be bumpy or may dip in the middle.  It’s time for a lawn makeover.

NEW BUILDS • EXTENSIONS •   RE-LANDSCAPING 

Maybe you got a new build.  You may not have a lawn yet.  The developer’s work is not up to standard.  You may be making good after on extension.  Or simply thinking about re-landscaping your entire garden.

TURFING • VERSUS • RE-TURFING • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM SIDMOUTH

Sometimes is better to replace your lawn. Compared to the cost and effort of ongoing lawn care.  It will give you that lush lawn you have always dreamed of. Seeding a large is cost-effective.  But it will rely on constant watering.  And deterring those pesky birds!

Turfing will give you an ‘instant’ lawn.  Which will establish more quickly.  Transforming your garden!

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REMOVING YOUR LAWN • TURFING • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Removing a lawn can be a time-consuming process. And can get generate alot of waste.  Traditionally it was achieved using a sharp spade.  And a lot of elbow grease. 

And this method was usually employed when you wanted to reuse the turf. Other methods involve killing the lawn and motivating.  Turf cutters and mini diggers.

REMOVING TURF BY HAND • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Not for the faint heart.  It’s really suited for small lawn areas.  Make sure the ground is relatively moist.  If it’s rock hard.  Give the lawn a soaking with the hose.  The night before.

KILLING THE LAWN & ROTIVATING • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

It is possible to weed kill the lawn.  By applying a strong weed killer.  Over the entire lawn area.  Leave the lawn for two to three weeds. Rake off the thatch.  Rotivate the compacted topsoil.  Add a little extra topsoil.  And returf.

LESS WASTE · MORE CHEMICALS

The advantages include less waste.  The downside is that you are introducing some pretty nasty chemicals into your garden. It’s not a method we use.  Due to the potential toxicity to pets, children, adults and ourselves!

USING A TURF CUTTER • TURFING • EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Why not hire a turf cutter?  Great for removing a large amount of turf.  Works well if the lawn is moist.  Give the lawn a good soaking the night before you are hiring the turf cutter. 

SET THE BLADE HEIGHT

You can set the height of the cutting blade.  To determine the thickness of the cut turf.  It is potentially possible to reuse the turf.  This would require you to cut a thick turf.

If you are just looking to replace the lawn.  Set the blade as thin as possible.  This will mean the turf is easier to move.  It will generate less waste. And preserves as much topsoil as possible.

REMOVING TURF USING A MINI DIGGER • EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Sometimes you need a bit of extra horsepower.  For large lawns is a good idea to hire a mini digger.  Design to fit through a standard doorway or gate. 

A mini digger will certainly make the whole process a lot quicker.  And pleasurable.    Be care full not to remove too much topsoil.  As this will cost you more to move it.  And get rid of the waste.   And of course, you will have to bring in more topsoil.  Increasing the cost of your project, significantly!

GETTING RID OF THE WASTE • EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

For a large garden, this can be time-consuming and costly.  For the smaller garden, it’s possible to lose the waste turf around the garden!

CREATE A SOIL PILE • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Great for a  smaller project.  Find an area out of the way to create a soil pile.  Behind the shed or greenhouse.  Somewhere out of site. 

Either create a compost-type bin.  Or simply stack the sods of turf upside.  And let nature take over.  The turf will rot down over time.  Producing some great topsoil to use in your garden!

ADD TURFS TO BEDS • TURFING  EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

For a small amount of turf.  Simply add the upside turf to the back of your beds.  The turf will rot down to topsoil over time!

SKIPS • EXETER • TURFING  TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Most large projects will require a skip.  Always tell the skip company that you will be filling the skip will soil and turf.  As there are weight limits on some of the skip sizes!

GRAB HIRE • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

Some grab hire will take turf.  Others won’t!

LEVELING YOUR LAWN • TURFING EXETER • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH • EXMOUTH

The first task is to grade and level your garden.  Using turfing rake. Removing any large rocks and stones. 

RAKE THE AREA

Level the garden by raking and moving soil where necessary.  Add plenty of good quality topsoil, rake, and level.  min topsoil  4″inch ⋅ 100mm. 

ROLL THE LAWN

Roll the area using a bomag pedestrian roller.  Available from hire shops.

ADD THE TURF

Once you are happy with your levels – add your turf.  For instant carpet of grass.  Remember to always water your new lawn. 

WATER · KEEP OFF · MOWING

Water well for at least a couple of weeks or until the lawn has become well established.  Try to keep off your new lawn as long as possible. 

Avoid the kids playing football long as possible.  Give the lawn light and careful cut after a week or so.   Make sure the ground is not too wet and the turf has rooted.  Try lifting one of the turf’s corners.

SHADY GARDENS ⋅ LAWN CARE • TURF EXETER

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DEALING WITH SHADE

Shady gardens can be problematic.  Parts of your lawn may be overshadowed by high hedgings such as Leylandii or buildings. 

Too much shade can lead to thin lacklustre grass, which over time can become mossy.  Try introducing as much sunlight into your garden by pruning vegetation back.

Where this is not possible or the grass is still thin:

Rolawn Medallion turf ⋅ consider replacing the lawn with shade-tolerant grass

Artificial turf ⋅ a great way of eradicating the problem.  Your garden will look great all year round and your lawn will require minimal maintenance.  Check out our artificial grass page for design ideas.

Ideas ⋅ plants shade ⋅ artificial grass ⋅ rolawn medallion^® turf

THIN PATCHY GRASS ⋅ TURFING EXETER

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Over time lawns can become thin and patchy.  Minimal lawn care and extensive wear by pets and children are usually the cause of the problem.  Depending on the extent  of the lawn damage we recommend:

RE-SEED ⋅ REPAIR • TURFING EXETER

September is the ideal month.  Rake the lawn to remove any dead grass thatch and moss.  Add a top layer of a good quality lawn sand, such as Rowland Land Sand.  Overseed the area with a good quality lawn seed, such are Rowlawn Medallion Premium.  Water well until the grass becomes established.  Especially in dry hot weather.

POOR DRAINAGE ⋅ LAWN CARE  

Some lawns can become waterlogged, especially in winter.  This may be due to:

COMPACTED SOIL ⋅ TURFING EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH

Preventing water from draining through the lawn’s top layer. Your best bet is to aerate the affected area.  This can be back-breaking with a fork!  Consider Hiring a mechanical aerator from your local Hire Company.  Once aerated, why not brush in lawn sand to help maintain those drainage holes over time.

NOT ENOUGH TOPSOIL UNDER YOUR TURF ⋅ EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH

When laying turf, it’s important to add sufficient topsoil under your turf.  This helps maintain the health of your lawn and promotes good drainage.

IMPROVING DRAINAGE ⋅ TURFING EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH

Rake out any thatch in your lawn.  You may want to aerate the soil if it feels compacted.  Try adding lawn sand on top of the grass and brush in well.  If this doesn’t work consider re-turfing the affected area.  When turfing, make sure you add a sufficient layer of good quality top soil (min: 4″inch | 100mm).

HEAVY CLAY SOILS ⋅ TURFING EXMOUTH • EXETER

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Dig down in your garden and at some point, you will probably hit clay. 

Some gardens are worse than others.  An excessive clay layer can cause poor drainage.  The water sits on the clay layer usually with nowhere to go, causing excessive waterlogging.

ADD A  DRAINAGE CHANNEL ⋅ TURFING EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH

Digging channels laid with a suitable drainage pipe & shingle,  leading to a suitable soakaway. 

This may help to alleviate some of the drainage problems.   Always seek expert advice. As this can be a messy and expensive project. Great for your turfing project, Exeter.

REPLACE WITH ARTIFICIAL GRASS ⋅ TURFING EXETER ⋅ EXMOUTH • TOPSHAM • SIDMOUTH

You may consider replacing your lawn with artificial grass.  Artificial grass is laid on a compacted layer of Type 1 MOT (crushed concrete) and granite chips.  Both have excellent drainage properties.  Waterlogging should no longer be a problem.

BENEFITS OF TURFING EXETER

Traps Carbon Dioxide ⋅ Cooling Effect ⋅ Traps Dust And Dirt

Great For The Environment ⋅ Soaks Up Heavy Rain

Reduce Soil Erosion ⋅ Great Sports Surface

 Noise Reduction

GROUND PREPARATION

Remove any weeds.  Plant debris or large roots. Make sure you have good drainage.  And make sure you have a good layer of topsoil 15-20cm.

POOR SOIL · TURFING EXETER

If you have poor soil.  Add compost, slow-release fertiliser or blood fish or bone.

LAYING YOUR TURF · TURFING EXETER

Prepare the soil.  By raking and levelling your area. Try to lay your turf as soon as possible.  Especially in hot weather.  Water well.

WHEN CAN I WALK ON THE TURF

Wait until the turf’s roots have formed.  Check but lifting a turf.  And see if the roots have developed.  You can then use your lawn.  And start mowing it!

WHAT DO MOLES EAT?

Digging around under your lawn.  Mole feed on insects and larvae.  Their preference is worms and white grubs.

SOIL CONDITIONS FOR MOLES

Moles prefer moist loam soil conditions. Rather than dry clay soils.  And they live underground all year round.

HOW TO TREAT MOLES · TURFING EXETER

ADD MOLE NETTING

Mole netting prevents the moles from coming to the surface.  Of your lawn and creating molehills.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES · TURFING EXETER

Electronic devices create high a high-pitched buzzing sound that drives away moles.

LEATHER JACKET PROBLEMS

The larvae of the crane fly.  Or daddy long legs.  Will chew through your lawn’s roots.  Creating a patchy lawn.  With dead bare areas.  The leather jackets have grey, and brown colour.  With a leathery skin.

CHAFER GRUBS · TURFING EXETER

Chafer grubs are the larval stage.  Of the chafer beetle.  Again, they feed on your lawns roots.  They also create burrows.  And can cause your lawn to become.  Spongy and soft.  They have a white burrow an orange heads.  And are usually curled up!

WHAT TO LOOK FOR · TURFING EXETER

Watch out for adult crane flies or daddy long legs. And adult chafer beetles.  Keep a look out for yellow and black spots appearing on your lawn.

HOW TO SPOT THE LARVA

This is a good method.  Before a period of wet weather.  Put a sheet of polyethene (2m x2m approx.).  On the surface of your lawn.   Leave in place for 25 hrs.  Lift the sheet and look for signs of the larva.  On top of the grass.

WHAT DO THEY EAT · LEATHER JACKETS · CHAFER GRUB

They both feed on the root of lawns.  And can damage the health of your lawn.

TREATING · LEATHER JACKETS · CHAFER GRUB

This pest can be treated by nematode worms.  A microscopic predator of the larvae.  Which are natural and environmentally friendly.

HOW TO REMOVE THEM · TURFING EXETER

You can first off remove the grubs manually.  By picking the grubs out of your lawn.

TREAT WITH NEMATODES

Keep your nematodes in a cool place. Such as your fridge.   Apply them to your lawn as soon as possible.  Using a sprayer and a watering can.   Follow the instructions.

The nematodes are specie specific.  Nematodes for leather jackets won’t work on the chafer grubs!

STONE EDGING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Stone edging is a great way to create a defined lawn.  Great for creating beds for planting.  Or a mowing strip.  Sandstone or granite setts work well.  Haunch in a concrete bed.  And Point.

The curves look great in a contemporary setting.  Straight formal lines suit a more traditional fee.

ADD SOME SHAPES ∙ TURFING EXETER

Add some shapes to create an over all structure to your planting scheme.  Phormiums, Box balls and tufted grasses, all work well.  Evergreen shrubs will create all year interest in your garden design.  Pittosporum, bay standards and olives.

ADD COLOR ∙ TURFING EXETER

Colour will add summer interest to your garden design. Key players include: crocosmia, agapanthus and verbena.  Lavender is good value.  It looks great, it’s low maintenance, scented and great for wildlife.

ADD SOME FILLERS ∙ TURFING EXETER

Time to bulk out the planting with some cheap fillers.  Shrubs always work well in any design.  Spirea, choisya, fatsia and euonymus.  Work well.

SLEEPER RAISED BEDS ∙ TURFING EXETER

Quickest and most economical way of creating a raised bed. Options include softwood, reclaimed or new oak sleepers.   Softwood sleepers are great value.  New oak sleepers will last longer.  Sleepers can be set horizontally or vertically.  

BLOCK AND RENDER RAISED BEDS ∙ TURFING EXETER

More expensive in construction.  You will need a footing for the block wall.  Looks great in any contemporary garden design.  Add lighting and lush planting.  Phormiums, verbena, Pennisetum, and Hebbes.

TIMBER  EDGING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Define your lawn by adding an edging strip.  Cut-down gravel boards can be used to create a quick timber edge.  Creating straight and curved lines. 

METAL EDGING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Ever Edge is a premium metal edging.  That is quick and easy to use. Great for creating curves in your garden design.  It’s available in a variety of colours and finishes.

EDGING SETTS ∙ TURFING EXETER

Granite or sandstone edging setts are a great way to add definition to your lawn.  Great for contemporary curves or formal straight lines. Haunch in motor and point.

DECKING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Why not add a deck to your garden design? Decks are great for creating seating areas. For relaxing and entertaining.  Options include Softwood, Hardwood and composite decking.  

Softwood decking is great value and easy to work with.  It’s available in both smooth and ridge boards. Softwood decking is pre-treated to offer protection against water damage and insect attack. 

Hardwood decking is rich in colour and lush in appearance.  Smooth boards, fixed with stainless steel screws give you that boardwalk feel.

Composite Decking is a man-made product.  It’s extremely durable against water damage and insect attack.  It’s available in a variety of colours and finishes.  Including faux timber.

PAVING ∙ PATHS ∙ TURFING EXETER

Paving is a great way of adding a seating area to your garden design.  Why not add a path to link key areas in your garden design

SANDSTONE PAVING ∙ TURFING EXETER

The sandstone path looks great.  It’s great value for money.  And works well in both contemporary and traditional garden designs.  Lay in a single-sized pattern 900 x 600mm for a contemporary feel.  Kandula grey works well for a contemporary garden design.  Choose autumn brown for a more traditional feel.

GRANITE PAVING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Hardwearing and tough. Modern in feel, with a slight sparkle.   Looks great in modern gardens and works well for pathways.  Laying in a single-sized pattern using 600 x 600mm stones.  Always opt for a slightly textured stone.  Offering add grip in those wet, winter conditions.

SLATE PAVING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Rich in colour and appearance.  Looks great in pathways.  Front of the house.  Creating a porch.  Naturally pretty stain resistance. And easy to work with.

PORCELAIN PAVING ∙ TURFING EXETER

Porcelain paving is the new kid on the block.  Porcelain is a man-made product.  It’s extremely stain resistant and durable.  And easy to clean.  It’s available in a variety of colours and finishes.

CREATE AN ENCLOSED LAWN ∙ TURFING EXETER

Why not add some privacy and intimacy to your garden design?  By creating an enclosed lawn area.  Hedging is an obvious addition to any garden.  Creating privacy and reducing noise from neighbouring gardens.

HEDGING OPTIONS ∙ TURFING EXETER

Laurel Hedging ∙ laurel hedging is fast growing.  And great value for money.  It can be planted as whips, root balls or pot-grown plants. It’s only evergreen and so will add colour throughout the year.  It does grow fast and so does require annual maintenance.

Photinia Hedge ∙ One of my favourites.  It leaves a bright red.  Creating a red glow in those autumn moves.  It’s easy to grow and needs an annual light trim.  It’s not as woody as laurel.  Once established it grows very quickly.

Yew Hedge ∙ The ‘king’ of hedges.  Yew looks great, particularly the front of the house.  It’s slow growing.  So if you want some height.  It’s a good idea to plant mature plants. 

It needs a light prune.  Hard pruning will create holes in the hedge.  Which can be permanent.  Make sure to water in those long hot summer months!

Box Hedge ∙ Used more as a topiary hedge.  Than a large hedge. Great for edging a bed or creating a feature in your lawn.  Its needs to be planted thickly.  As the plants are slow growing.  Clip the hedge into shape.  Once or twice a year.  Box hedging does benefit from a Buxus feed!

BAMBO SCREEN ∙ Although not a hedge bamboo.  Can be used to create a level of privacy.  And adds movement and interest to any garden border.  Bamboo does need a fair amount of watering in those long hot summer months.

CREATING DIFFERENT LEVELS • TURFING EXETER

Why not create a platform for your lawn?  For lounging in the summer sun.  The vertical effect will add interest to your garden design.  Soften with planting beds.  Creating vertical greenery.   Box balls, agapanthus, crocosmia and phormiums.

CREATE A SMALLER LAWN • TURFING EXETER

Does your lawn take up the entire garden?  Maybe your want to add a patio.  For entertaining.  The smaller lawn is good for prioritizing sheds, summer houses and dining areas.  

FRAMING THE LAWN • TURFING EXETER

Why not frame your lawn?  Lavender works well.  Great for the bees.

ZONE YOUR LAWN AREA

Why not create zones in your lawned area?   Add zones to your garden for different activities.

 BBQ AREAS

Why no create a BBQ in your garden design?  BBQ options include Charcoal, gas, or electric.

OUTDOOR KITCHENS

Why you are at it why not create an outdoor kitchen in your garden design?  Modular kitchens are available in easy to clean.  Stainless steel finishes.  Units include outdoor ovens, fridges, storage, and sinks.

Remember to budget for a power supply.  And to connect a waste pipe for the sink!

SEATING AREA

No garden isn’t complete without a seating area.  The decking looks great.  And great for uneven gardens. Paving looks great.  Natural stone is great value and ages well. Compared to concrete pavers. 

HOT TUBS

Why not add a hot tub?  For those warm summer nights.   Decking works well.  Creating a sun terrace.  Or why not sink the hot tub.  And surround with paving. 

STEPPING STONES • TURFING EXETER

Why not add stepping stones to your lawned area?  Or use a turfed area as a path.  Creating a bed between your flower beds.

PLANT BULBS IN YOUR LAWN • TURFING EXETER

Try planting daffodils or crocuses.  Tulips don’t tend to grow well.  Don’t mow the flowers for around 6 weeks.  After flowering.  This gives time for the leaves to return the nutrients to the bulbs.

ADD CLEVER STORAGE • TURFING EXETER

Space is particularly precious in a small garden.  Select a mower that will fold.  And so is easily stored.  Push mowers are light.  And can be easily hung on a wall.

ADD A TREE FOR DAPPLED SHADE • TURFING EXETER

Some gardens, just get too hot in the summer.  Add a specimen tree to create a dappled shade.

CREATE AREAS FOR WILD MEADOW FLOWERS • TURFING EXTER

Why not create a wild meadow garden?  Great for the local wildlife.  And great for the environment.

MAKE A SPLASH ∙ ADD A WATER FEATURE • TURFING EXTER

Options range from a simple Corten steel bowl. To a KOI carp pool.

COMPLIMENT WITH ORNAMENTAL GRASSES AND WILDLIFE

Thinks of the lawns as a haven for wildlife.

LEAVE A SECTION OF LAWN WILD • TURFING 

Leave a section of the lawn.  Wild, for the wildlife.  Bumble bees forage in clover.  And are happy in lawns that are allowed to flower.

SHORT GRASS GREAT FOR WOODPECKERS & BEES

Short grass enables woodpeckers to forage insects.  And solitary bees to find nesting spots.

LONG GRASS FOR INVERTEBRATES • TURFING EXETER

Long grass creates a mini jungle for invertebrates.

MINI MEADOWS 

A mini meadow offers a bounty of seed heads to finches.