When I first looked at my patchy, tired lawn, I was tempted to take a shortcut. The idea of rolling out fresh turf over the old grass seemed quick, easy, and far less messy.

But before I made a decision, I asked myself — do I need to remove old grass before laying new turf?

As it turns out, taking that extra step made all the difference. In this post, I’ll walk you through what I learned, what happened when I tried to skip it once, and why I’ll never do that again.

Why I Asked Myself This Question?

I’ll be honest — the main reason I hesitated to remove the old grass was the effort involved.

Digging up turf is hard, sweaty work. I thought: If the new turf covers it anyway, why not just roll it on top and move on?

That was my thinking… until I actually tried it.

What I Learned from Doing It the Wrong Way Once?

A few years ago, I laid turf straight onto my existing grass in a small back section.

It looked fantastic for about two weeks — and then it started to yellow, dry out, and lift in patches. No matter how much I watered it, the roots weren’t established.

What Happens If I Don’t Remove the Old Grass?

If you’re thinking of skipping this step, here’s what’s likely to happen:

Turf Struggles to Root Through the Old Layer

New turf needs direct contact with loose, nutrient-rich soil to root. If there’s a layer of dead or living grass underneath, the roots can’t penetrate properly — they’ll sit on top, shallow and weak.

Drainage and Airflow Get Blocked

Old turf can act like a sponge. Instead of draining properly, water can sit under the new turf, leading to rot, mould, or moss in lawn— especially in the damp UK climate.

Weeds and Disease Can Linger

If your existing lawn has weeds or fungal issues, laying turf over it won’t fix anything. You’ll just trap problems underneath your fresh lawn.

How I Removed My Old Grass Before Turfing?

When I finally committed to doing it properly, I started by clearing the old grass down to the soil. It took effort — but the result was worth it.

Turf Cutter vs Manual Digging

I hired a turf cutter for the huge areas. It was a game-changer — far quicker and cleaner than using a spade alone. For tight corners and edges, I still needed my trusty shovel.

Dealing with Thick or Weedy Lawns

My backyard was infested with creeping buttercup & dandelions. Before turfing, I manually removed these weeds and applied a natural weed suppressant a week prior to cutting the grass.

How Deep I Went?

I cut roughly 25–35mm deep, just below the root level. This cleared the grass while keeping enough topsoil in place for levelling.

What’s the Right Way to Prepare the Soil?

Once the grass was gone, I moved on to prepping the base — a critical step for any successful turf installation.

Do I Need to Add Topsoil or Compost?

In most cases, yes. I added 4–6 inches of fresh topsoil, mixed with a bit of organic compost. This ensured good drainage.

How I Levelled and Firmed the Ground?

Using a landscape rake, I levelled the surface and filled in any dips. Then, I firmed the soil by walking across it with small steps and a light garden roller.

When to Water the Soil Before Turfing?

I sparsely watered the prepared area the day before laying the turf. The soil was moist but not soggy — perfect for helping turf roots take hold.

Can You Lay New Turf Over Existing Grass? (And Why I Don’t Recommend It)

As I mentioned earlier, I tried this once. It looked good for a short time — but within a month, my “shortcut” started to show its flaws.

What Happened When I Tried It?

The old grass started to decompose, creating soft patches. Turf in certain areas lifted easily, and the colour turned uneven. Worst of all, I had to rip everything up and start again.

Why Lifting the Old Lawn Was Totally Worth It?

After doing it properly, my new lawn rooted deeply, grew evenly, and stayed green far longer. The extra effort upfront gave me peace of mind and a lawn that I could actually enjoy.

Get to know more on can you lay turf on top of grass with our super guide.

What Tools and Materials Did I Use?

Task	Tool/Material
Grass removal	Turf cutter, spade
Soil enrichment	Compost, topsoil
Levelling	Landscape rake, roller
Turf laying	Sharp knife, hosepipe
Maintenance	Sprinkler, lawn feed, rake

Turf Removal vs Topsoil Shortcut: A Quick Comparison

Factor	Removing Old Grass	Laying Over with Soil
Root success	✅ High	❌ Low
Drainage	✅ Improved	❌ Often poor
Longevity	✅ Lasts longer	❌ Risk of failure
Time & labour	❌ Higher	✅ Lower upfront
Weed prevention	✅ Easier to control	❌ Old weeds survive
My choice	✔️ Remove the grass	✘ Never again

Conclusion: Was It Worth Removing My Old Grass?

Looking back, do i need to remove old grass before laying new turf?, removing my old lawn was the best decision I could’ve made for my garden.

Sure, it took extra time and a bit more effort. But the results speak for themselves: strong root growth, no patchiness, and a lawn that’s stood the test of time — through rain, barbecues, and my dog digging holes.

So if you’re asking yourself, “Do I need to remove old grass before laying new turf?” — my answer is simple:
Yes. Do it once, do it right.

FAQs: What You Might Still Be Wondering on Do I need to remove old grass before laying new turf

1. Do I have to remove weeds before turfing?

Yes — weeds can regrow through your turf. I recommend removing the weeds entirely before laying new grass.

2. Can I rotovate the grass into the soil instead?

Not really. Once rotavating the soil, you’ll end up with a spongy layer that stops turf roots from reaching the real soil.

3. Is it always necessary to remove old grass?

If you want your new turf to last more than a few months — yes it is essential to remove old grass. Especially in the UK’s wet climate.

4. How long after removing grass should I lay new turf?

You can lay turf immediately after prep — just make sure the ground is levelled, moist, and free of large clumps.