Laying lawn turf can be an excellent way to achieve that lush green lawn you’ve always wanted just in time for summer! With instant results, and no wastage more gardeners are choosing this option to create lovely green spaces in their garden.

However, while it’s not a complicated task, it’s also not just as simple as rolling it out and hoping for the best. Making sure that you prepare the ground, the turf, and then care for your newly laid lawn will ensure that you help it to flourish and thrive.

Our top tips for turfing your lawn

Laying your lawn turf takes some preparation, and there are several stages to complete to ensure that you give your lawn turf the best chance of taking, providing you with a beautiful, even, lush lawn to enjoy.

Prepare the ground

Inadequately prepared ground could make it difficult for your lawn turf to root properly. To start, you need to remove existing lawn turf to clear the area, and then work the soil, turning it over to a depth of 15cm. You can do this using a spade or, to make life easier, a powered cultivator will also do the job and might be better if you have a larger area to cover. While doing so, make sure that you clear the area of stones and debris which could get in the way of the roots.

Rake the soil

The key to a perfect lawn is to ensure that the ground is as even as possible before you lay your lawn turf. To make the ground even, you need to rake the lawn to help level out the surface while still keeping the soil loose and crumbly rather than compacted. You can tread over the area to reveal any uneven patches, which can then be raked over to even them out. Repeat the process until the ground is even all over.

Ordering your lawn turf

Before ordering your lawn turf, you need to measure your lawn space in square meters so you can buy as close to the exact amount of turf as you need. Most suppliers sell to the nearest meter squared, so make sure you round up to ensure you have enough to cover the entire area.

Ideally, turfing your lawn should occur as soon as possible after it is delivered so make sure you order so that it arrives the same day or within 24 hours of when you plan to lay your lawn. If this isn’t possible, try to keep the turf in a shaded area and water it if necessary.

All the preparation and care in the world won’t be able to save poor-quality turf. So make sure that you do your research and find a reputable seller before you buy. At Bury Hill, we are proud to offer superb ornamental lawn turf for domestic and semi-professional use.

Turf laying

Sprinkle turfing fertiliser onto the prepared ground to give your lawn the very best start. You can now roll out your lawn turf. It’s a good idea to use turfing boards to avoid walking on the newly laid lawn as you do so. You should try to start at the perimeter and work in. Using bigger pieces where possible will avoid the turf drying out, particularly at the edges. As you lay your turf keep checking to ensure it is in full contact with the soil underneath. You can cut off any overlapping pieces with a lawn edger or knife.

Caring for your lawn turf

Now that you have laid your lawn turf, you need to ensure that you take good care of it. Turf care for newly laid turf needs plenty of water, particularly in the summer months. Keeping the lawn moist will avoid it drying out and the warmer and drier the weather, the more vigilant you need to be. In hot weather the grass may scorch and turn brown but also the turf could shrink leaving gaps and unsightly curled edges.

Feeding your lawn with a balanced fertiliser will ensure that it remains healthy. Try to feed your lawn every four to six weeks and follow the given instructions to make sure you get the quantities right for your lawn.

Don’t cut the grass until it has rooted. You can check this by lifting the turf at the edges to see whether the roots are attached to the soil below. If they aren’t, allow the grass to keep growing as cutting it could place unnecessary stress on it and prohibit the roots from taking. Initially, when mowing just take off around one-third of the grass height. This can be reduced over time when the lawn is well established.

By following the tips above, you can make sure that you lay your lawn turf the right way and enjoy a beautiful lawn throughout summer and for many years to come!

If you have any questions or need any more advice about laying a lawn, get in touch with the customer service team at Bury Hill today – we’d be more than happy to help!