McHale GardensA new lawn where the old one has given up, or new borders where there's bare soil or tired planting. Most of the work is in preparing the ground first, so the results last.
Turfing and new lawns
- The area cleared, and the old lawn or weeds lifted
- Compacted ground dug over and broken up
- Levelled, raked and firmed, with topsoil added where it's needed
- Fresh turf laid with tight joins, then watered in
- Simple aftercare advice on watering and the first mow
A new lawn can also be sown from seed. It costs less than turf but takes longer to thicken up, so it's best sown in early autumn or spring.
Autumn is one of the best times for a new lawn: the soil is still warm and there's usually enough rain to help it root. We don't lay turf on frozen or waterlogged ground.
Planting and new borders
- New beds and borders marked out and dug
- Weeds and roots cleared, and the soil improved with compost
- Shrubs, perennials and bulbs planted
- Finished with bark or mulch to keep weeds down and moisture in
- Watering and aftercare advice so everything settles in
You choose the plants, or tell us what you like and we'll suggest some reliable ones for your soil and how much sun the spot gets. Autumn is a great time to plant: roots keep growing while the soil is warm, so plants are ready to go in spring.
Patios, paths, fencing, raised beds or other building work. We stick to lawns, soil and plants.
Turf, soil and plants
Turf, topsoil, compost, bark and plants are charged at cost with no markup, and paid before the job so they can be ordered in time. Your estimate lists them separately from the labour, so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Old turf and waste
Weeds, roots and cuttings from our work can be chipped, bagged for your garden waste bin, or taken away at £20 per tip run plus the disposal site's fees. We can't take away soil or rubble, so lifted turf is usually stacked grass-side down in a corner of the garden, where it rots down into good topsoil. If you'd rather it went, it will need removing separately, and your estimate will say so.
How it's priced
- Labour at £28 per person per hour, the same rate as all our work. We're not VAT registered, so there's no VAT to add.
- Turf, soil, plants and other materials at cost, with no markup, paid before the job.
- Bookings start at 4 hours.
- You'll get a free estimate first: we measure up, then list the hours, materials and any tip runs.
What affects the time
- The size of the area.
- What's there now: an old lawn, weeds or brambles to clear first.
- The ground: heavy clay, stones, roots or slopes take longer to prepare.
- How far turf, soil and plants have to be barrowed from the drive.
- How many plants are going in.
Turfing and planting questions
When's the best time for a new lawn?
Autumn and spring, when the soil is warm and moist. Turf can go down in summer too if it's watered well, but not on frozen or waterlogged ground.
How soon can we use a new lawn?
Keep off new turf for two to three weeks while it roots, and water it if it's dry. Give it a first light mow once it's growing and firmly rooted. We'll talk you through the aftercare.
Can you clear the area first?
Yes. If it's overgrown, a garden clearance gets it ready, often on the same visit.
Do you build patios, paths or fences?
No. We stick to lawns, soil and plants: no patios, paths, fencing, raised beds or other building work.