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Friday, 30 July 2010

Your Questions Answered

As Europe's largest producer of cultivated turf and Britain's leading supplier of high quality soil, we are often asked for advice on all aspects of laying, seeding and maintaining a beautiful lawn. The most frequently asked questions are detailed below. You can subscribe to this information through our RSS feed. Click here to learn more about this service, or contact us to ask any questions we haven't covered.

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21. How do I improve the soil in my garden?

Clay or sandy soil can be improved by adding organic matter to improve the soil structure.

Rolawn Soil Improver is a natural soil improver/conditioner combining shredded straw compost with iron minerals. It is an ideal peat free source of organic matter to improve soil structure and fertility.

Soil Improver can be applied anytime, but if it is to be dug in, care must be taken to avoid digging/forking wet soil, as it may damage the soil structure.

Rates of application will vary, depending on the type of soil you have and the existing organic content etc. As a guide, typical application rates for digging into soils with low levels of organic matter, are as follows:

Heavy clay soil - a layer, 75mm deep, should be incorporated to a depth of 200mm
Light sandy soil - a layer, 30mm deep, should be incorporated to a depth of 200mm,

Dig over the area to be improved, taking care not to disturb existing plants or their roots. Spread the soil improver over the area to the required depth and then work in using a fork.

Rolawn Soil Improver can also be used as a mulch to improve the general appearance of beds and borders and reduce the amount of weeding required. Apply a 50mm layer over the soil surface and over time, earthworms and microbial actions will work the soil improver into the soil below.

Common lawn care questions

  1. When is the best time of year to lay turf?
  2. How long after delivery can I leave my turf rolled up before laying?
  3. How much soil do I need to lay my turf onto?
  4. Is Rolawn turf suitable for shady areas?
  5. How do I grow a lawn from seed and when is the best time to do this?
  6. How do I overseed my lawn?
  7. How do I calculate the amount of turf required for a circular lawn?
  8. How do I remove my old lawn before laying new turf or seeding?
  9. What depth of play grade bark do you recommend?
  10. How soon after laying turf can I walk on my lawn?
  11. How soon after laying turf should I mow my lawn?
  12. How soon after laying turf can I apply Rolawn Lawn Food?
  13. Will my turf contain Annual Meadow Grass?
  14. How should I remove toadstools from my turf?
  15. Is Rolawn topsoil free of Japanese Knotweed?
  16. During the winter my lawn has become sparse and died back, resulting in bare patches. What should I do?
  17. My lawn needs feeding and overseeding. Which should I do first?
  18. My lawn is covered in worm casts. Is there anything I can do?
  19. My dog is urinating on my lawn and it is discolouring the grass, what can I do to stop this and how can I repair the damage?
  20. My lawn has developed patches of white cotton-wool or cobweb-like mould?
  21. How do I improve the soil in my garden?
  22. I will be laying turf next to a path or mowing strip and need to bring the soil up to the correct level. What is the thickness of a roll of Rolawn turf?
  23. My new lawn is very spongy. Should I use a roller on it?
  24. Can Rolawn biological pest control products be used on a vegetable patch?