On Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:27:23 -0000, Charlie Pridham
wrote:

In article ,
says...
I have a raised border that is about 4ft high, the depth of this
border is about 16ft.

I want to grass the whole area.

Whats the best way of going about it. Obviously the shrubs have got to
be dug out.

But then the soil will be soft.

What do I do ???

Clear the area, rake it level, walk over it with your heals in several
directions, re rake it level, when you have it compacted its ready for
seed or turf, takes more time and effort than you think its going to but
its worth the time to get something flat to mow!
Give some thought as to how you are going to get the mower up onto it for
cutting, 4 feet is quite a height to lift one.
I presume you want the grass for recreational reasons not to reduce
maintainance? I say this because a mulched shrubbery is a lot less work
than grass.

My only concern is how compacted should I make the soil. Some people
say I should roller it. But its too high to get a roller onto it.

I've seen some grass that the soil has been walked on, and it is very
soft and spongy when the turf has been laid.

As I use an electric mower, I had thought for the first cut or 2 to
borrow a rollered petrol mower.