Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Mar 21, 2011 3:22 pm Well... We have the prep work done for our grass but I need to make a phone call to get their boss out to check that it's ok. It's not level in some spots and when I mentioned this all I got was "it's the best I could do!" So.. The best I can do is not pay until it is fixed. I don't know much about laying grass and didn't think i'd need to, knowing I had the professionals out to do it. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ This bottom retaining wall is straight and the dirt they've put down isn't. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I am now freaking out that we are paying this money for something that is eventually going to DIE and not be level... They scraped the dirt that we had then put on this dirt/sandy stuff. Should it be darker soil? Should they be compacting it? I know there is a TURF LAYING thread and I have read through it but I also need Questions to ask these guys when they come back tomorrow.. LIKE.. what should I be specifically asking them before they lay that turf? Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 2Mar 22, 2011 2:10 pm Hey Cooped - don't pay until your happy that the work is up to the standard promised What grass are you getting? What work do they still have to (do if any) before laying your turf? Are they charging you for topsoil, because that doesn't look like any decent loam topsoil to me! Looks like they've put down very (very) sandy soil (ooh, BK will have something to say about that!) ready to lay the turf on. This is something that is done to aid the root development of the turf as it establishes, making it easier for the roots to grow into, proving better aeration and is free draining to stop the roots and turf from rotting and developing fungal problems as it establishes. However, it has very little nutrients and, if they're not adding any loam topsoil, then you may expect to spend extra time fertilising and watering your lawn than you might wish (not necessarily with artificial chemicals mind!!) Plus, it's going to fell quite hard when you walk on it. The ideal situation, would be at least 20cm of good loam topsoil under the turf, but that would cost you. You're right to question them. I'm sure someone will think of more questions, but you should ask what other soil prep they plan on doing before laying the turf? Are they going to be adding soil amendments (see the turf thread for references re: zeolite, spongolite, perlite etc - this is not standard practice so unlikely)? What after care do they expect in the establishment period? Do they guarantee their work? The slope doesn't look like too big a deal though and, as long as it's not sloping towards any buildings, you could consider letting that one go. The level of the 'topsoil' needs to be lower than the surrounding paths to leave room for the turf. Oh, and it doesn't need to be compacted. Alternatively, if that's the extent of their prep and you're unhappy with their responses, then you could try to better level and flatten the area yourself. Then go get some organic compost, zeolite (spongolite and perlite too if you want it) and liberally cover their 'topsoil' with it then rake it through. Give it all a good soaking the day before they lay the turf HOWEVER, you may invalidate any guarantees that they give you by doing work yourself so check your contract carefully. You could supply it to them and ask them to rake it through before laying I guess. Personally, I would be being as friendly as possible and educating them on the use of organic composts and soil amendments - get some of Fu's turf stuff up on the pc ready to show them. You not only have an opportunity to improve their installation of your lawn, but also to broaden their knowledge and improve their existing practices! Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 3Mar 22, 2011 2:24 pm Thanks Kerry... They have been and gone. I don't think they did a perfect job but better than what I could have done. I think now I am just going to give it heaps of love. They came back and did more work before laying the lawn. It looks good but they have overlapped bits and then not put bits close enough together. I am thinking I may need to go move bits around. Our retaining walls at the back of our house are like optical illusions and NOTHING looks straight or level which doesn't help! THank you very much for your response! Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 4Mar 23, 2011 9:27 am Just a thought - perhaps they laid the 'top soil' at a gentle slope away form what look like a slab in the pictures, so that any water wouldn't pool next the slab and would instead drain away from the building. That's just a guess though and I can certainly empathise with the feeling of paying for halfhearted work. At least there's a wealth of great info here to get the soil healthy and give the turf the best chance it can have. Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 5Apr 05, 2011 2:43 am How deep is the soil prep and it needs much more certified organic compost rather than sandy lawn mixes. Otherwise when the heat and dry hits (and it will happen again) your lawn will go to rubbish. Layering of soils is a very poor practice and results in stunted and shallow root growth that may do well when there is water round but not when there isn't. Lots of zeolite, perlite or spongolite also There is a tonne of lawn prep info in the stickies. What I am trying to get out to you guys is not commonly understood by even season turf people who learnt what was taught years ago or just do it because that is what has always been done. Do my stuff and throw away the book Dead level matters not. It will all sort out fine Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 6Apr 05, 2011 1:14 pm Thanks Fu, they only put down the sandy loam and that was it.. So I guess I will have to do some water maintaining when the hot hits! Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 7Apr 05, 2011 10:13 pm You can but there will still be the common problems people encounter. A lawn that goes up and down in appearance like a yoyo. My turf prep info will help prevent that and future proof your lawn. Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 8May 02, 2011 9:27 pm Munns Buffalo Booster??? We have been advised to fertilize with this now since laying the turf.. Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 9May 02, 2011 10:42 pm ????? That should be a rich dark compost. That just looks like lawn sand. Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 10May 02, 2011 10:43 pm and I have written down what you need Re: Help me with questions to ask!!! *turf prep* 11May 02, 2011 10:44 pm Dig into one section and see if that is mixed through with the native soil Just with your hands in one little spot. I don't see clays or loams mixed through that. Does it stink a bit? It shouldn't Ardo That is so funny! I wonder how many people know who Larry Haun is these days. I have a couple of young guys we call Mo 1 & Mo 2 who run a crew of 6 boys and… 9 15420 I work with owner, he/she is my man on the ground and I instruct them when to visit the site and take photos and I have other tools in the bag. 4 15019 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5800 |