Soft Landscaping & Turfing
MCH Landscaping lays new lawns, plants borders and hedges, and prepares ground for gardens in Lowestoft and across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Lawns, planting and hedges
Soft landscaping is often something that is overlooked in a garden but is just as important for creating that gorgeous garden.
From turfing to planting we are able to offer our customers a variety of soft landscaping services.
Whether it be preparing and laying a new lawn or seeding a large open space we are able to cater for all your needs.
We prepare ground, lay turf, sow seed, plant borders, draw up planting plans and plant hedges, and we build the timber sleeper beds and retaining walls that often hold the planting in place.
What our soft landscaping covers
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Ground preparation
Clearing, levelling and preparing the soil so lawns and plants have a good start.
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Turfing
Laying new turf for an instant lawn, cut neatly to the edges.
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Seeding
Sowing grass seed, including over large open spaces.
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Planting
Planting borders, beds and containers.
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Planting plans
Plans that put the right plants in the right places for the light, the soil and the look you want.
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Hedging
Planting new hedges for boundaries, screening and wildlife.
What to plan before a new lawn or planting
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Turf or seed
Turf gives an instant lawn and can be laid for much of the year; seed costs less and suits large areas but takes longer to establish and is best sown in spring or early autumn.
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The soil underneath
Most lawn and border problems start below ground. Compacted or poor soil may need breaking up, improving or replacing before anything is planted.
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Water
A new lawn needs plenty of water until it roots. Make sure there is an outside tap or water butt within reach.
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Bare-root hedging season
Bare-root hedging plants are lifted and sold from late autumn to early spring, and are the most economical way to plant a long hedge.
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Light and aspect
Note which parts of the garden are in sun or shade for most of the day. It decides which plants will thrive where.
Good to know
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Keep off new turf at first
Water new turf well and keep foot traffic off it until the roots have taken hold. Lift a corner gently: if it resists, it is rooting.
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The first mow
Wait until the grass has grown and rooted, then mow with the blades set high, lowering them gradually over the following cuts.
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Plants grow into their space
New borders are planted with room for each plant to grow. They look sparse at first and fill out over the next seasons.
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Nesting birds
Clearing and cutting hedges is best done outside the main nesting season, roughly March to August. Active nests are protected by law.
How a soft landscaping job works
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Consultation and planning
We visit, look at the ground and the light, and talk through the look you want and your budget.
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Design and plant selection
We agree the lawn, the planting plan or the hedge, and the plants and turf to use.
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Preparing and planting
We prepare the ground, then lay the turf, sow the seed or plant.
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Finishing touches and aftercare
We tidy the site and tell you how to water and look after the new lawn or plants.
Questions customers ask
Should I have turf or seed?
Turf gives you an instant lawn and can be used fairly quickly; seed costs less and suits large open spaces but takes longer to establish. We can talk through which suits your garden.
When can new turf be laid?
For much of the year, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged and the turf can be watered well in dry weather.
How soon can I walk on a new lawn?
Keep off it until the roots have taken hold. Gently lift a corner: when it resists, the turf is rooting and light use can start.
Can you draw up a planting plan?
Yes. Planting plans are one of our soft landscaping services, matched to your light, soil and the look you want.
When is the best time to plant a hedge?
Bare-root hedging is planted from late autumn to early spring. Pot-grown hedging can go in at other times of year with more watering.
Do you build raised beds and retaining walls?
Yes. Timber sleeper beds and retaining walls are part of our hard landscaping work and are often built alongside new lawns and planting.
