How to lay turf where concrete tiles were?

owen2

Hey guys,

I want to turf an area which currently has concrete tiles on it.

Its north facing, gets some solid sun especially in the middle of the day. Sloping ground.

I pulled up a couple of tiles, and underneath is a sand mix, with a plastic layer.

My questions are:

- should i remove the plastic layer?

-how much soil /sand under the turf when i lay it?

- what kind of turf to lay? I would like a hardy option that is pet friendly.

   

JacobZ

Hi @owen2,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Yes, you should absolutely remove the plastic layer. Plastic blocks drainage and stops roots from penetrating deeply. If you leave it in place, your lawn will end up with shallow, weak roots and will struggle in summer heat.

When preparing the base, aim for a layer of turf underlay soil between fifty and one hundred millimetres thick over the sand. One hundred millimetres is ideal if your levels allow it, since it gives the turf a deeper, richer layer to root into.

Since your area gets strong sun, and you want something hardy and pet-friendly, I'd say kikuyu or buffalo are the best choices. Kikuyu suits high wear and active dogs, while buffalo gives a softer, more premium look and feel, while still maintaining good durability and resilience in hotter environments.

You might like to have a look at What Is The Best Lawn Type For Your Home and How To Lay Turf for some further guidance.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob