Lawn Returf Question ?

I had some conifers removed in November , and now want to returf part of my lawn about 25 sq metres . The old lawn area will be rotovated and fresh top soil added to this before laying the turf . Now is it best to kill the old grass first with glypho , two weeks before rotovating ?

TIA

 

You could apply the herbicide or remove the turf. If you use a herbicide it may take longer if temps drop again and you may have to apply a second spray.

 

Have you got somewhere to store the turf? ( after lifting) it makes fab compost.
Or you could give it away, freecycle, gumtree etc ?
It seems a shame to kill the turf, my garden is crying out for patching
If you really want to go ahead with your plan my advice would be no chemicals, cut as short as possible and then rotivate.
I don't see the need to kill it, unless you're going for a different grass type? Having said that, a neighbour removed a few large conifers and a path from around her garden boundary and turfed over it, it looked odd for the first year but soon matched up

 

Thanks LTP , Loki
A local garden company are doing the returfing. I don't want to carry 2 tonnes of top soil and turf round the back of the house ! And we don't want to move 25 sq metres of old turf . The plan was to rotovate the old turf and mix topsoil in with it . Question is do I need to kill the old grass first ?

 

Yes Harry, I would kill off the old grass first
However, I always trench in the old turf ......lowest cut on the mower, skim off the turf and bury face down about 20 - 30 cm deep. Firm and level well then add top soil

 

Cheers Verdun , the grass is now officially on death row I'll book the lawn turfers on Monday . Rain rain rain for the next two weeks though ....

 

Assuming you’re using Glyphosate Harry? As I understand it, it only works when there is active growth. Our grass is still a bit dormant.

 

The herbicide will work but if temps are low it will take longer to do the job and may need a second application.
Normally you would apply when plants are in full growth but as grass is active in our climate the herbicide will work. Grass never stops or goes dormant, it’s why it’s green all year round but it’s growth is reduced when temperatures drop.
Our grass type is cool season which does not go dormant in the winter hence the green colour, warm season grasses do go dormant and they turn brown as the plant system shuts down.

 

Fortunately the temp over the next two weeks is around 10°c so would be fine for a herbicide. Problem it is also very wet for the next two weeks , which is not good for applying the glypho !
If they can start it mid March that will be fine

 

A dry spell ...5 hours or so....will be enough for glyphosate to work.
Doing it now, if possible, will hasten the whole process of turf preparation

 

Just getting another price in . They are going to remove the old turf. This may be a better option. Just waiting for the quote.

 

That would be best, saves using a herbicide and would allow a nice fresh application of top soil.