If your lawn is at a stage where even the best maintenance and upkeep isn’t making things better, then perhaps it’s time you replace it altogether. Replacing your existing lawn allows you to start fresh and eliminate problems that made it difficult to thrive. It’s a common scenario that the lawn type is either wrong, the ground was poorly prepared in the beginning, or drainage issues that contributed to an unhealthy lawn.
As pleasant as it is to have your own patch of perfectly cropped green grass, maintaining it is very time-consuming, costly, and water-intensive. But before you go ahead and start replacing your lawn, you want to make sure that the new lawn will be better and healthier than the old one. These 4 expert tips will help guarantee excellent results out of your newly laid lawn.
- 1. Don’t cheap out
We get it. Replacing your old lawn is quite expensive and you may be tempted to seek out some cheaper alternatives. While you may save a bit of coin initially, it may not always produce the most desired results. This is especially true when it comes to the health and longevity of the lawn in general. So it’s no surprise that we recommend you don’t cheap out on your lawn replacement. If you’re unsure about which lawn type to choose, it’s best to contact a lawn care professional to help you pick one that best fits your needs and budget as there are many options available like Hybrid Bermuda, Sir Walter, and Sir Grange Zoysia.
These grasses all make for an excellent lawn. But one thing to note is that each of them has different qualities when it comes to drought tolerance, shade, and the like. Getting the right lawn type can make a huge difference in terms of the overall look and feel of your new lawn so make sure to do your own research and buy the best lawn type your budget allows.
- 2. Do it right
Lawn replacement requires a bit of knowledge and expertise to do things right. Again, a little expert advice will go a long way towards nailing down the basics. You can always hire a lawn care service if you don’t feel comfortable doing it by yourself. If you do decide to tackle the job, look at the levels and falls. Try to spot any drainage issues and consider thinning out/replacing trees or shrubs. If you’re looking at getting machinery in then it’s a perfect time to remedy any of these issues. Garden beds, edging and of course, replacing any poor soil is important when it comes to lawn replacement. Speak to your local soil supplier to find out the best soil to use for your lawn.
- 3. Cover all the aspects
Before you start your project, it’s important to take all aspects of the lawn replacement into account. Locate any phone, electrical, sewer, water, gas or irrigation lines and fittings that you may possibly disturb whilst replacing your lawn. Spray out the old grass and vegetation to kill them. Even if you’re are removing a large chunk of soil, it’s worth using a non-selective herbicide like glyphosate (Roundup) to kill as much of the remaining grass as possible. Start from scratch by getting the subsoil right. Consider irrigation at this stage and then lightly break-up any clay subsoil by cultivating and adding some lime and gypsum. From there, consider adding in a good amount of quality sandy-loam topsoil for your new turf bed.
The next step is to get your topsoil levels right with garden beds and paths. Lightly roll the turf leave enough depth for it to lay flush with the fixtures. Make sure to discuss with your turf grower about the delivery and installation to ensure that you’ve got adequate water for establishment – enough for a daily watering for four to six weeks. Once your new lawn has been laid out, you can now start using lawn care products to keep it in peak condition.
- 4. Talk to an expert
You may be thinking that lawn replacement is a lot of work and indeed it is. If you truly want your lawn to look as perfect as can be, then having it installed by a professional is the way to go. Do some research on the various lawn replacement services around your location and try to compare the different quotes to get the best prices. In most cases, their network of experienced landscapers can tackle your lawn replacement without any issues.
Replacing your lawn is a great way to breathe life into your front yard as new turf will look infinitely better than the old one. Plus, it doesn’t come with the issues that your previous lawn had. That said, lawn replacement is not the easiest of tasks and outsourcing it to a professional lawn care company is likely the better choice.