Getting the most out of my veggie patch
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Getting the most out of my veggie patch

I spent so much time on my veggie patch last year and just didn't see the spectacular results I was hoping for. This year I've been doing a lot more research to try and get my plants the right nutrients so I can actually get some fresh veggies this year. There is something so tasty about vegetables that are freshly picked from the garden, compared to something you buy in a supermarket and sits in a fridge. I'm improving how I plant them, how I fertilise them and hopefully I'll reap a bumper crop. Read along to see if I do!

Getting the most out of my veggie patch

How To Lay Turf in a Sloping Garden

Alice Stewart

A lush, green lawn is something to be enjoyed and admired during the summer months, but achieving this can be challenging if you have land that slopes. However, with a little know-how, it can be done. Here's how to successfully lay turf in a sloping garden.

What you'll need

  • rolls of turf
  • prepared turf soil
  • rake
  • garden staples
  • rubber mallet
  • screwdriver

Always buy top quality turf from a turf supplier. They will also provide you with specially prepared turf soil to provide a base for your new lawn. This is important as it contains all the necessary nutrients that your new turf will need to thrive.

This guide assumes that you have already prepared and levelled the ground on which you wish to lay your turf. It's best to avoid periods of very hot weather when laying new turf.  The roots are vulnerable to dehydration at this stage and the grass will settle better if you pick a time of year when the weather is cooler and not as dry.

How to do it

  1. First of all, add the turf soil to the site of your new lawn to a depth of about 10cm on top of your existing soil. Give the soil a thorough rake over to ensure that the surface is graded, smooth and free from stones.  
  2. The most important thing to remember when laying turf on a slope is to lay the strips horizontally and lengthways across the downward aspect of the site. This is crucial if the strips are to stay in position and not slip loose. Stagger the turf strips so that the ends of one row don't line up exactly with the ends in the next. This will reduce the danger of the whole lot sliding down the slope in the event of heavy rain.  
  3. Next, fix the ends of the turf strips firmly into the ground on all the sloping areas with the garden staples and a rubber mallet. Leave a few centimetres proud of the grass so that you can find them later for removal. The staples help to keep the turf in place until it has rooted itself in, and you can then remove them without danger of the grass sliding out of place.  
  4. When all the turf is in place, water it thoroughly and on a daily basis thereafter. This encourages the grass to root and establish itself quickly. You should give just enough water to moisten the grass and dampen the soil beneath. Check that you've given enough water by pushing a screwdriver into the turf right through to the soil beneath; it should be damp when you pull it out again.  
  5. To determine when the grass has rooted completely and you can remove the staples, gently try to lift a corner of one of the turf strips. If the strip won't lift, the grass has rooted successfully. This usually takes a few weeks, depending on the type of grass you've chosen and the climate.

Laying turf on a sloping site is tricky, but success can be achieved by following the guidelines above. For further advice on laying a lawn and maintaining it afterwards, have a chat with your turf supplier.   


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