On Tuesday, July 8, 2014 12:25:02 AM UTC-4, Bob F wrote:
OldWasp wrote:

My question is about using a weed barrier to stop any roots/seeds

from





I have never grown grass before so would appreciate some advice.







When I moved in, my garden was an absolute jungle due to it being



untouched for around 10 years. I have now cleared one side and want

to



get grass growing.







My question is about using a weed barrier to stop any roots/seeds

from



coming back up.



-



Using a weed barrier where? I'm not a big fan of weed barriers, but

if they are going to be used, they are used in landscaped beds,

around trees, etc, not where you have turf. How would grass grow if

you have a weed barrier?







-



Would this work do you think? Obviously, I would use a weed barrier

that



allows water to drain through and I would probably have around 3

inches



of top soil/compost on top for my seeds.



-



And the weeds will grow just like the grass grows.





-



Also, is it best to use compost on the top to level it all off, or do

I



need to use top soil? I am not really sure what the difference

between



the two is.

-



You want topsoil. Compost can be mixed in. Topsoil is the top layer

of

the soil, extending from a few inches to maybe a foot or so,

depending on

the area. Compost is decayed organic matter. Topsoil consists of

some compost, which occurs naturally from decaying vegetation, plus

other soil

components like sand, clay, etc. If the topsoil is good, you don't

need

to add compost. For growing new turf in most areas, you don't need

to add compost in, but it can help. What you use depends on what is

available

locally and how much it costs.



I'd google for lawn renovation or seeding a new lawn. Also, don't

know where you are, climate, etc. But if it's a cool season grass

area and it's summer now, it's the worst time to try to establish a

new lawn. Fall, ie Sept is best time. Then you have cooler temps.

Now you'd have

to water the lawn many times a day to keep it wet. And even once it

starts

to grow, you have to keep putting water on it if it's 85F. You also

have huge competition from weeds. In Sept, nature is on your side.

And

then the lawn has a long time to establish good roots, before it hits

it's first summer stress. If you want a lawn now, I'd consider

buying sod,

depending on area, budget, etc.



Thanks for the advice.



I meant put the weed barrier on top of the soil, then add more soil on

top (e.g. 3 inches) for the grass to grow on.



I am going to have to top up the soil area so that it is level, so I

was just wondering whether there is any advantage from putting a weed

barrier down before I put fresh top soil on top to level it.



I am in Scotland so I was thinking to do it about now when the sun is

still out. My box of seeds says September is the latest time of year

you can sow them.



Don't have money to spend on turf but it's not urgent either so I can

wait for the seeds to grow.



Using weed barrier as you suggest would just limit the depth that grass can grow

its roots, making it less drought tolerant.



If you want to start it now, you will have to be serious about watering. When

you first plant the seed, you want to water very lightly until the grass is well

sprouted. This means running a sprinkler for maybe 5 minutes morning, noon, and

mid afternoon. You don't want to soak it, but you don't want the seed to dry out

and die.

Running it 5 mins 3 times a day in the peak of summer, most places, it
will still dry out. There isn't any downside to watering it more than necessary,
you just can't let it dry out. When it's 85 and full sun, I'd say 10 mins
is minimum. And I'd do it at 11AM, 2PM, 5PM, 9PM. The last watering is
important because it will leave it wet for a long time, long enough for the
seed to soak it up.