Laying Turf Over Wood Chips: A Recipe for Failure

A small garden covered in wood chips (with membrane) asks if turf can be laid directly on top, or with compost raked in.

The expert strongly advises against it. Decomposing wood chips consume all soil nitrogen, starving grass. Buried chips decompose anaerobically, taking decades. Solution: remove all chips and membrane, add a thick layer of compost/humus and sand, water thoroughly, then lay sod. Recommends Harpin Protein (Messenger) to boost root establishment.