Today there are an ever growing range of synethetic grass manufacturers introducing new grades onto the British market for varied budgets and needs. If you’re looking for turf or artificial grass in Oxford this post will outline the options available to you by reviewing: 

Maintenance

Cost

Environmental Factors

Feel free to contact us at the conclusion of this article with any questions you have. We’re happy to visit with an in person quote and samples if needed. 

Maintenance

Perhaps the primary selling point of artificial grass is its low maintenance. While fake grass will benefit from brushing and specialized cleaning solutions, it doesn’t require the tlc a natural lawn needs. Patching, knowledge of turf diseases, mowing and watering are lawn care issues you’ll need to acquaint yourself with. This is particularly true for clients with pets and children.  

Cost

Homeowners who employ a gardener to maintain their lawn, may find a synthetic lawn is the long term, economical option. However, short-term is a natural lawn is certainly cheaper. Depending on the grade and preparation needed, turf can be up to 10 x less than artificial options. 

Environmental

Experts argue opting for natural grass benefits the environment. Much like trees, turf absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen into the atmosphere. Many consumers believe a traditional garden enhances well being and promotes flora, fauna and wildlife.

If you’re unsure about which option is best for you, our team of experienced landscapers can help. We work through Oxfordshire and offer a variety of turf seed mixes and artificial brands. Contact us for your quote today. 

When the team at Oxfordshire Turf aren’t landscaping, we dine out and enjoy group meetings in various restaurants in the Oxfordshire region. This post is dedicated to the finest restos in Bicester. 

For the uninitiated, Bicester is among the most rapidly growing towns in the UK. In 2014 Bicester was chosen as a garden city, with up to 13,000 homes set to be built. The small market town is based just a throw from Oxford and The Cotswolds.

Denis Restaurant

Denis is a Turkish restaurant and is widely regarded as the towns finest. Reviews on TripAdvisor and Google Business celebrate the businesses cuisine and service. Based in Sheep St, Denis offers Turkish and Mediterranean food served with Italian, French and Turkish wine. A review on TripAdvisor noted:

‘I love this place, I’ve been there a few times over the years after being introduced by a work colleague! He wasn’t wrong, the staff are friendly, the service is great, its not expensive and the food is really tasty! ‘– TripAdvisor

Nut Tree Inn

Established by Mike and Imogen North, the cuisine of The Nut Tree Inn in Murcot has drawn national attention. A traditional village pub, The Nut Tree has been bestowed the honour of a Michelin Star for 8 years running. The menu features Risotto of Mushrooms and Salad of Griddled Asparagus. 

Suwanna Thai

The popularity of Thai cuisine has soared across the UK in recent years. Suwanna Thai, based in the town center, this restaurant is a fine proponent the trend. The beauty of the food is evidence by a series of branches opening in Caversham, Witney and at the Greyhound Inn.

Future posts will features our landscaping exploits and the sites and sounds of other Oxfordshire towns. Feel free to make your own suggestions. In the meantime, if you want restaurant tips or turf in Bicester contact our team on the number above. 

 

In previous posts we’ve outlined things to do and places to dine in Bicester. This post will bullet point the towns history and rapid expansion. If you’ve clicked on this page hoping to learn more about our landscaping services, follow this link.

643 — Bicester was founded 643 under the name Berencester. It was later referenced in the Domesday book of 1086.

1547 — In 1547 Bicester witnessed a rapid growth in population as up to 600 people, primarily from Lancashire, arrived in the town.

1557 – 1707 — In these years the people of Bicester experienced the so-called Sweating Sickness and Smallpox. Sweating Sickness, also known as ‘English Sweating Sickness’, was a mysterious illness that struck down its victims within hours of contagion. Meanwhile Smallpox lay 42 townspeople to rest in the year of 1707. 

1745 — This was the year of free education for children of the ages 7-14 in the town. Children in attendance learned the art of spinning and received free items of clothing. 

The Oxford Canal, Wagons & Trains

1790 — Was the year Oxford Canal opened. The canal would almost 80 miles to the borough of Coventry. 

1831-32 — In 1831 Bicester’s population breached the 3000 mark. Records revealed 3022 residents. In 1832 the town would be struck by a Cholera outbreak, claiming 64 people. 

1830’s — It was also over the 1830’s the town the development of transport links to London. A twice daily wagon journey transporting produce between Bicester and the capital was established. 

1850 — This was followed in 1850 with the establishment of the Bletchley – Oxford railroad. The line included Winslow, Banbury and Verney junctions. 

1928 — In this year the Prince of Wales, who would later go onto become Edward VIII, visited the town for Hunt Steeple Chases. Video of the event can be found below:

2001 — In this year census records reveal Bicester’s population reached 28,672.

Oxfordshire’s Garden City

2014 — In 2014 the government declared Bicester as a new ‘Garden City’ for the UK with an extra 13,000 homes built in the town.

We hope you’ve found this article informative. This was a brief history of Bicester sourcing records from a number of sites including the Bicester Local History Society. While the future is uncertain, the towns rapid expansion and the influx of tourists over recent years mean Bicester’s tradition as a sleepy Oxfordshire town is most certainly history.

Oxfordshire Turf supplies a budget laying service with selected orders. However, there are occasions when clients opt to do the heavy lifting themselves. Here’s a step by step guide on laying natures carpet.

Before we proceed, it may be worth noting that our team of landscapers offer a lay turf in Oxfordshire. For a relatively modest price, we can supply, prepare and lay your new lawn before your eyes. Whether you live in Oxford, Banbury, Witney, Abingdon, Didcot or beyond, contact us today for your quote.

Prepare The Foundation

If your garden’s a proverbial jungle, you’ll need to apply weed killer before the turf arrives.  First ensure you rake the ground, clearing any debris or loose stones in the process. They have the potential to undermine the turf’s appearance and its ability to become established. Depending on your garden, your turf will also benefit from topsoil. Turf (or sod as our American cousin’s say …) and plants require between 2-6 inches of topsoil as a healthy base to grow. Use a rake to evenly distribute topsoil before moving on to the next step.

When The Turf Arrives …

If you’ve measured the garden, allow room for error and order a few extra rolls — A good rule of thumb is 5%. Again, with selected orders we’ll offer you a free estimate. Lay the turf as soon as it arrives. This will ensure your turf becomes established. Use a sprinkler system or hose to keep your lawn hydrated 7 days after it’s set. Failure to heed this step could result in a lawn that suffers from a discoloured and unhealthy appearance.

Laying The Turf

Lay the first rolls of turf along a straight boundary when possible. Use this as a guideline as you begin to roll natures carpet out across your garden. During those early weeks avoid walking on the turf. Once the turf has become established, you’ll be able to mow it for the first time — We’d recommend waiting for at least 10 to 14 days. Applying selected fertilizers to the lawn will improve it’s appearance. We’ll cover this in future posts.

Oxford Turf Supplies have been working through the region for over 2 decades. Contact us or subscribe to our feed if you require further advice on lawn care.

Water logging generally occurs when water starts to sit on the surface of the soil and either drains too slowly or does not drain at all. Once the water starts to settle around the roots, it can take air away which is crucial to the growing process.

Let Your Lawn Breathe

To help the grass breathe, you can be sure that you work to aerate the lawn. This can often be done by spiking, slitting or pricking the soil where you notice that the problem is starting to occur. There are various hand spiking tools that you can use to aerate your lawn as well as spiked shoes that you can strap onto your feet as you walk around that will help get the air into the right places.

The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Once the lawn starts to drain, you can look into more long term options that will keep your lawn from getting water logged in the future. Think about having a drainage system installed that will keep the water evenly distributed where it needs to go in order to keep the grass nice and healthy. Sometimes, simply removing old turf and replacing it with new topsoil can work wonders to help even out the surface area where you had once had water logging issues with your lawn.

No measures can absolutely safeguard your lawn against a deluge. However, with forward planning you can significantly reduce the damage caused by heavy rainfall. 

Tall Fescue

Tall fescue is very durable grass, able to survive in moist and extremely dry environments. It thrives in clay soils with a large amount of organic matter. It’s ideal for areas that experience hot, humid summers and very cold winters. Just to remember to water your tall fescue properly. In the hot summer sun, blades can become thin without the right amount of water.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is at the very top of the drought resistant grass. For homes that are located in dry, humid areas, this turf is the first one to consider. It can also endure extensive periods of zero precipitation while surviving in tropical climates that receive heavy rainfall. Under what drought tolerant turf to get, you’ll find a picture of Bermuda grass.

Zoysia Grass

Another type of grass suitable for hot locales is Zoysia grass. It’s known for its medium dark-green color that will persist in most hot conditions though it may turn straw-colored in extreme drought. Its deep root system extracts water from lower depths of the soil, making it more resilient than most turf.

When choosing the right turf to buy, consider the climate in your region. Is it hot all year around? Are there periods of cold winters and hot summers? Does your lawn need to survive heavy rainfall? These questions will help you decide the right drought tolerant grass to purchase.

You can learn more about us at №1 Oxford Company