total refurb

hi folks,
new to the forum and i know absolutely nothin about gardening. ive recently moved into a new house with a large back garden, it consisted of all weeds about 4 foot high and a couple of trees, ive managed to get the trees dug out and the weeds cut down and cleared. im now left with a large area of soil and some old grass that looks a little like hay, ive also unearthed an area of paving slabs. im trying to remove the last of the grass but the roots, weeds, dried out grass keeps catching on the spade and its making things tiresome and difficult, any ideas how to combat this? also the soil im guessing wont be in very good nick as the garden looks like it has been neglected for years. my plan is to lay lawn, have an area sealed by railway sleepers that i can plant in, and have another little area where i put stones down, what will i have to do to the soil before i can put down the roll down lawn turf? any hints, tips or info will be gratly appreciated as im a complete novice

 

hi,
thats the pics up, ignore the dog lol. the fencing is being taken down at the back and new wooden fencing is going up.

 

Hiya pearse! Welcome to GC!.

 

when i started the whole garden was covered in 4 foot weeds, there was a tree like knotweed that engulfed the whole flagstone area, before someone asks no im not sleeping out there the mattress was there when i moved in lol theres bags and rubbish right through the soil. seeking any ideas

 

Get some black DPM (damp proofing membrane) any DIY or builders merchants (cheaper) will do it, roll it over the grass peg/weigh it down, leave for a good few months, or weed killer, nuke it which chemicals (faster) if you dont want to do it by hand, get a Rotavator, and dig/turn it with that, level it out, hose it down, put a dressing on it, seed/turf it... good luck

 

what exactly is a dressing? im going to get a rotavator this week and turn it, rake out all the stones and junk. the soil seems to be in really bad nick, what will i need to do in order to lay the turf?

 

right been doing some research and i think im learning a little bit, this is what im going to do, if its completely wrong please tell me. right so first im going to dig up the rest of the grass clearing any rubbish, weeds and stones, rake the left over soil, then use a garden fork to put in garden compost turning it over about half a wheelbarrow of compost per square metre, then put in fertiliser like bone meal a handful per metre, rake it again, will i need to add soil improver or will the compost and fertiliser be adequate? then im hoping that ill be able to put down turf, am i at least heading in the right direction?

 

Sounds like you are on the right track. Anything you do to improve the soil will be a bonus. Just take your time with it and you will get it right the first time. Research is always a good idea and the more you learn the easier the job will be and the better it will look.

 

I'm no expert on laying lawns, but clearing and improving the soil is a good start

That's a very high corrugated fence at the back! Is it hiding something (ie does the replacement fence have to be that high)?

Love the dog

PS : That wooden fencing with the gaps would look lovely with some nice fragrant climbers

 

lol no the corrugated fence you see is whats called a peaceline, many of these high corrugated fences run through belfast separating the catholic and protestant populations. these fences are about 30 foot tall lol im going to put some nice wooden fencing along the back to seal the garden off. just need to get digging now

 

will i need to put down sand at any time? what is the benefits of putting down sand?

 

That's interesting about the fence Pearse, do you think they will ever be taken down?

 

i dont think the fences will ever be taken down tbh, well not in my lifetime anyway