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  Andrew Smith February 4, 2014 at 9:35am

  Looking at the infestation of Ranunculus repens which is suggestive of wet ground, I would be looking at what the root cause of that is first. It may be poor drainage, or just compaction on the existing ground, which could be easily rectified when prepping the ground and before laying the turf. Reference the weeds, a hit of a glyphosate based weed killer would be useful before working the ground and propagating further runners which could pose a problem after the turf is laid. Creeping buttercup is quite a pernicious weed, but I did have success last year on a vegetable bed by merely hoeing on a regular basis, this method however, may be a bit more problematic on a new lawn if they start popping up again. Good luck lawn, it will transform that glum spot, I bet the owners will be made up, it will be great advert for your business.
• PRO

  Darren Walters February 4, 2014 at 4:27pm

  Thank you Andrew.

  I perhaps should of mentioned that it used to be a veg plot but fell into disuse about 3 years ago due to the previous owners age and health. Unfortunately he would only let us come for 2 hours a fortnight and it takes 1 1/2 hrs to cut and edge the lawns without weeding all the other beds. So this area always got left. The customer who wants the turfing doing is the new owner of the property.

  My main concern with spraying this time of year is the time it will take to have an effect and dodging the rain.

  Its also full of Forget-me-nots seeds!
  
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  Colin Hunt February 4, 2014 at 5:04pm

  Why would you 'ideally' carry out the work in February? As Andrew says, the area needs a hit(or 2) with a Glyphosate based weedkiller and at this time of year it will be slow to act and again as Andrew says the ground looks wet and it will be a beast to prepare. Personally I would try and persuade the client to wait until the spring, when the ground is more suitable to cultivate and you will by then have cleaned it up.
  Time-wise and assuming you have 2 men on site I would say 3 days to prepare, lay, complete and tidy up. But that would assume that the ground is workable - doing it in February add another day or two.
  I like it with the forget-me-nots by the way!
• PRO

  Darren Walters February 4, 2014 at 5:56pm

  
  
  Colin Hunt said:

  Why would you 'ideally' carry out the work in February?
  I like it with the forget-me-nots by the way!

  Colin, only February because we will struggle with the time in the Spring but as you say it may be a pain to prepare now and I only want to do the job once! So, I'll see what capacity I can make late March/Early April.

  p.s Here's one with the buttercups in flower
  
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  Gareth Main @ Newick Landscapes February 4, 2014 at 9:24pm

  I'd agree with Colin, in good dry weather 3 days for 2 men to complete. Apply glyphosate a month in advance. Check for drainage issues first and allow for a new layer of topsoil.
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  John Baker February 4, 2014 at 9:30pm

  6 man days? Are you planning to use a trowel for the cultivating it?
  
  Gareth Main @ Newick Landscapes said:

  I'd agree with Colin, in good dry weather 3 days for 2 men to complete. Apply glyphosate a month in advance. Check for drainage issues first and allow for a new layer of topsoil.
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  Chris Auld February 4, 2014 at 10:17pm

  This is how I would tackle it if it had to be done now (rotavating not an option as its too wet):

  1. Use a strimmer/brushcutter to cut everything down as low as possible. Rake up and remove waste.
  2. Use a digger with grading bucket to remove top 2"-3" of soil, level it out as best as possible.
  3. Apply 2"-3" 50/50 mix of sieved top soil and sharp sand (easy to level out in wet weather and improves drainage). Level out and firm with roller.
  4. Lay turf

  Costs (assuming good access, etc.):

  120m2 turf: £360
  RoRo skip: £240
  5 tons sieved soil delivered: £150
  5 tons sharp sand delivered: £100
  Digger use/hire: £70
  Labour: £900 (2 days with 3 man team)
  Total: £1820
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  Brendan McHale February 4, 2014 at 11:13pm

  if your going to pull the top 50-75mm off the soil with a mini digger you may as well save time and not strim it down
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  David Benson February 4, 2014 at 11:16pm

  hit with a strong mix of glyphosate when its not going to rain for a day dig out the woody stuff if there is a derange problem scatter a tone of sharp sand or pea gravel then rotavate rake up the rubbish level off (use a lute) it will save you the digger hire, in port and export of soil, skip etc don't forget to do the gardeners dance on the soil before you lay the turf and final level up if you kill the weeds now it will be another three weeks before you start the job and hopefully it will have dried up a bit unless the job is in Somerset
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  John Baker February 4, 2014 at 11:42pm

  £15 a metre! Please pass on any customers who would only pay £14 per sqm to me please!
  
  Chris Auld said:

  This is how I would tackle it if it had to be done now (rotavating not an option as its too wet):

  1. Use a strimmer/brushcutter to cut everything down as low as possible. Rake up and remove waste.
  2. Use a digger with grading bucket to remove top 2"-3" of soil, level it out as best as possible.
  3. Apply 2"-3" 50/50 mix of sieved top soil and sharp sand (easy to level out in wet weather and improves drainage). Level out and firm with roller.
  4. Lay turf

  Costs (assuming good access, etc.):

  120m2 turf: £360
  RoRo skip: £240
  5 tons sieved soil delivered: £150
  5 tons sharp sand delivered: £100
  Digger use/hire: £70
  Labour: £900 (2 days with 3 man team)
  Total: £1820