Turf cutting is the process of cutting parts of grass and soil for shifting to another place. Correct turf cutting techniques are crucial to the success of any project, whether you’re building a new lawn from scratch or merely maintaining and mending sections of an old one. You will find all the information you require to do the task of cutting grass, including how to prepare the ground, cut the turf, transport the turf, and install it, in this tutorial.
Selecting the right turf cutter
The type of machinery used for cutting turf is a mechanical turf cutter. These machines had sharp edges located at the front to neatly sever portions of grass and soil with equal sizes. There are manual push type turf cutters and the more powerful types that let you ride on it. For the small residential jobs, a push turf cutter is ideal and it also helps in avoiding fatigue as compared to digging by hand. If you are cutting large areas of turf or mowing thick grass with many roots attached, a powerful ride-on turf cutter should be used. These include weight, cutting path width, blade depth control and the ease of steering while using a particular turf cutter. Many models are available in the gasoline version which is more powerful and mobile than the electrical one.
Cleaning the area
It is important that turf is only cut after the site has been prepared properly to ensure that the underground soil is left undisturbed and can be moved as needed. Trim off any loose leaves, sticks or rocks that are on the surface as they can hinder proper cutting or blunt knives. Turf mow low for more easily defined parts and do not apply pesticide for at least 48-72 h before mowing. This minimises the chances of chemical transfer that could harm the transplanted turf. For sods that are to be transferred within 48 hours, lightly irrigate the area about 1-2 days prior to slicing through the soil and roots. For storage for longer periods, it is wise to let the turf dry a little not to end up with a rotting mess. It is much easier when marking the cutting boundaries and the widths of the turf strips if you are planning to roll it out as straight lines.
Cutting Techniques
When using the turf cutter, set the blade to a slightly lower level than that of the grass’s root system – this is usually between 1 and 3 inches, depending on the type of soil. Make the strips straight, have uniform width, and follow a consistent path in a layer until a complete cut is made across the marked surface. Change or adjust the angle, position and direction of cutting as needed to avoid ruts and torn turf. When you are making sections, please ensure that the parts you have cut have the cut side down to ensure that the soil stays and the grasses are protected during transportation. Do not stack turf one on top of the other but align in a manner that is similar to brickwork to enhance air circulation as opposed to the turf matting. As much as possible, avoid much pressure on the rolled sod and gradually off load them using loading ramps. In a situation where the newly cut area will take more than a few days before it is ready for the final re-grading, you should cover the area with straw so that there is no growth of weeds.
Hauling and putting down of turf
To increase turf survival, transport rolled sod to the new location as soon as possible, within a 24-hour timeframe. Transport sod with care so as to not cause crack or tear them using turf carts that are not suited to bending the rolls. Just like the cut site, prepare the installation area by tiling, grading and removing chocks and debris. Overlap your turf strips closely and place them in an end-to-end manner making the adjoining edges look like brickwork. The next step is to use a lawn roller filled with water or sand to tamper edges of the grass and eliminate air space. On the slop place, it is recommended to stake down rolled sods to avoid them sliding off. Make sure to water newly installed turf frequently, maintaining the moisture level for one to two and half weeks and then allow the roots to re-establish themselves again. Fertilise and add nutrients to the soil to help support the recycling after a period of one month. Now, especially trim areas that are thin, repair any low areas, and pull any weeds.
Newly laid turf requires special care
After sod has been cut and transplanted there is a period of stress, during which it has to adjust to new conditions, re-establish its root system and obtain moisture and nutrients from the new growing medium. Some of the bacterial strains under consideration are expected to die off even with appropriate care. It may take several days for grass to become green again, but it can turn bluish or yellowish depending on the type of grass in the process of root regeneration and when the leaves start working for photosynthesis again. If sowing new turf or repairing thin, bare spots, water lightly and allow the turf to dry out slightly before watering again. Fertilise the turf with an equal proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium every month for the first year after installation and mow, dethatch, and aerate the turf occasionally as it grows. Re-sow, rebuild, and re-align any areas that take more time to regain their original shape. In the second year, turf can fully develop and there is germination of seeds to grow and fill any gaps remaining. Mowing, irrigating, feeding, and overall care from this stage on will determine the health of the lawn for the coming years.
Conclusion
Understanding the procedures involved in turf cutting provides one an insight when it comes to lawn renovation/ expansion works. Everything starting from choosing the most suitable mechanical turf cutter, getting the area ready, maintaining proper work conditions while cutting sod in uniform strips, how to transport and install the rolls effectively and last but not the least, how to take proper care of the newly laid turf is crucial. If you exhibit a little patience during the initial stages of the new turf growth, it will integrate with the rest of the lawn seamlessly, providing a well-maintained, smooth expanse of greenage to relish.