Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the only time when it is not possible is when the ground is frozen. We do not harvest when there is frost in the ground and do not advise laying turf when the temperature is below 2 degrees.
Be careful when comparing products and be sure to get a comparative price, which is for a m2. Some growers still supply turf by the yd2, which is 20% smaller than a m2. Few suppliers will be offering ‘meadow turf' which is less common today but generally a vastly inferior product. Buying QLawn turf, you are assured of a high quality product grown to a recognised standard and one that represents good value for money.
And remember dealing with a local supplier makes it easier to pop in to pick up an extra couple of rolls to finish the job!
The turf is 610mm wide, 1640mm long , 15-20mm thick and covers 1m2. As a rule of thumb, when preparing for turf, rake the soil level with the surface you are matching up to. This will allow for the soil to settle and the turf will be flush… easier for mowing!
QLawn turf is grown on the rich lowlands in Norfolk on the Fens. The very dark, organic, stone free soil gives the turf a good start and when harvested the resulting root structure is very strong; essential for giving the turf its handling strength.
Not at all, turf is a mat of living grass plants; the soil is only the carrier in the same way as soil from a pot plant is. The resulting lawn will take on the characteristics of the soil in your garden. It may be that if your soil is poor, then you will need to feed it more often. This applies whichever turf you lay.
It is a premium grade, Ryegrass and Fescue mix, which is ideal for most applications.
Yes, it also has smooth stalk grasses, which give the lawn an element of self-repair.
Be careful here, plants need sunshine to photosynthesise, it depends on how much shade you have. To see if grass will grow in your shady area, only buy one or two square metres of turf and try it before you buy enough to do the whole garden.
What the trade call a fescue bent mix - is used for bowling and putting greens. It requires a high input of management and not commonly used for domestic lawns. We can source this specialist turf for you if you are sure it is what you need.
In short.. No, due to the variables that can happen to a living product from when it is delivered to you. However if things go wrong and we are notified early of a problem , we will aim to offer advice where appropriate.
Grass is quite difficult to kill, once the turf has rooted, when it becomes a lawn. You must remember that when turf is harvested, most of its root system is chopped off; it is also rolled up and deprived of daylight. Turf in this state, starved of its vital life support system, soon becomes stressed and is prone to ill health. Most problems stem from leaving turf rolled up too long or not giving the new lawn enough water in the first two weeks. Happily though 99.9% of turf establishes into lawns to be proud of.
Fungal disease and insect attack can also cause problems with any lawn .
Most certainly YES, failure to lay and water turf immediately will result in the turf going yellow and over-heating , putting un-necessary stress on the plant.
Depends on your garden size, turf must be kept moist, but not saturated. Any signs of shrinkage, water immediately. We advise using hosepipe and an oscillating sprinkler to apply water. If you are considering a using a watering can, think again. Obviously turf laid in autumn, winter and early spring will generally be far easier to manage with natural rainfall and residual moisture.
Enviromat
Enviromat call be installed at any time of year and in any weather except frost and snow. Points to bear in mind though to get the best out of your Enviromat are:
- If you are buying in rolls, they must be unfurled within 8 hours of delivery (sooner in hot weather!) otherwise the plants will start to die.
- For the plants to settle themselves properly in their new home, Enviromat will need to be watered every day for at least 2 weeks after installation. In high summer, they will probably appreciate being watered twice a day.
- Enviromat is mown on the production fields to speed up growth and to minimise damage to the plants when they are in transit. You will increase the chances of your Enviromat flowering in its first season if you install it in September/October, let it overwinter and then apply a slow-release fertilizer in late March or early April.
You can walk on Enviromat, but only very occasionally. It certainly won't stand up to a game of football or a garden party. If you are considering using Enviromat as groundcover, perhaps as an ornamental “lawn”, including stepping stones or a path in your design will help save wear and tear on the plants.
Unfortunately, no. Sedum plants are specially adapted to live in exposed sites – mountainsides, moors, seashores etc; to avoid losing water from their leaves, they have developed a biological system for themselves that we call CAM (Crassulacean Acidic Metabolism). For CAM to work properly the plants need to feel a distinctive temperature difference between night and day – that doesn't happen in the shade and so the plants struggle to survive.
All of the sedum species in Enviromat are frost hardy in the British Isles ; Quite often frost will stimulate the leaves to take on an attractive burgundy red colour – another aspect to Enviromat's all year round interest, and a white haw frost accentuates the different shapes, sizes and textures of the leaves and looks absolutely delightful.
Enviromat certainly seems to tolerate the salty air at the seaside and it doesn't mind being in exposed situations so yes, Enviromat sedum matting is suitable for a seaside garden.
No, sedums are totally non-toxic; in fact our ancestors often used sedums to make medicines. The leaves and stems of sedum plants taste bitter too, so there's no need to worry about children or animals eating them, they're just not appetizing enough!
Lawn Feed
The principal ingredients of good lawn fertilisers are a combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These are the essential nutrients which the grass uses up quickly and which need replenishing. But what do they actually do?
Nitrogen helps to promote sturdy plants, giving strong shoots and leaves and dense growth which helps to reduce competition from weeds
Phosphorus helps the grass to establish and grow strong root systems.
Potassium reduces the impact of stress on the plant by giving it resistance to drought, disease, wear and tear and cold weather.
- Pre-Turfing Fertiliser: To help your Q Lawns turf to put down roots, establish speedily and grow on to become a strong, healthy lawn
- Spring and Summer Lawn Feed: For use on established lawns, Spring and Summer Lawn Feed contains all the nutrients your lawn needs while the roots and leaves are growing fast. Applying Spring and Summer Lawn Feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season as part of your lawncare programme, will help your lawn recover from the wear and tear of everyday use, resist drought and disease, and generally be something to be proud of.
- Autumn and Winter Feed: Low in Nitrogen but high in phosphates, Autumn and Winter Feed helps the plants to build the strong and healthy roots, which will encourage healthy growth through the spring and summer.
No, not unless you use too much at once. Never exceed the recommended application rate. Plants don't need huge amounts of fertilizer and they only use what they need. Applying too much will not only risk damaging your lawn – it will waste your money! If you do spill an excess of fertiliser in one place make every effort to sweep up the surplus.