July 14, 2023 Turf Tips
Your easy step-by-step guide to laying turf rolls. Expert advice from our in-house turfing specialists.
Installing natural grass turf into your landscaping project is a fantastic way to instantly transform your outdoor space. Once you know how to lay turf grass correctly, you’ll quickly become a pro and be able to roll out gorgeous green grass again and again.
So, if you’re wondering how to lay turf, how to prepare the ground for laying turf, or how easy it is to lay turf yourself, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll be covering everything you need to install the perfect lawn, including:
As long as your soil is not frozen solid or heavily waterlogged, you can lay turf any time of year. The important part when laying new grass turf is ensuring the soil beneath is cool, moist, and has been prepared correctly. This will give the grass roots their best chance to anchor quickly.
Give your lawn the best chance of success by choosing the right type of turf that suits its surroundings. We offer a range of high-quality turf, each tailored to a specific need:
For more information, read our blog on the different types of turf or contact our team, who’ll talk you through the options.
Before you lay your first roll of turf, make sure you have the right turfing equipment for a smooth process. The tools you’ll need include:
Whether it’s a small domestic garden or a professional football pitch, you need to know the specifications of your project before you can start:
It’s poor practice to lay turf on top of turf. So, when replacing an existing lawn, it’s important to remove all remaining grass. Use a turf cutter or shovel to remove the top layer, revealing the soil underneath. If you’re replacing a drive or patio with grass, you’ll also need to remove the top layer, cement and sub-base until you expose soil.
The condition of your soil plays a vital role in the growth of your grass. Start by loosening the soil with a fork and turn over the soil to about 150mm deep. This will give your turf roots a great chance to establish a strong root system. The soil should also be free of weeds and stones larger than 10mm.
If you’re dealing with poor soil, a layer of topsoil and seasonal fertiliser can give your soil a good boost of nutrients. Topsoil can also be used to raise your lawn if required. Once the ground is prepped, rake it flat and gently compact down using a compaction plate. Alternatively, do the “Gardeners’ Walk”! Shuffle your feet along the surface to level it out and get everyone involved to save time.
Top turf tip – Avoid using weed fabric or membrane under your lawn. This is a suggested solution to stop weeds but in reality, it stops the new turf from putting its roots down into the soil.
Turf rolls are a lot heavier than you think, especially if it’s been raining and they’re saturated with water – be careful when you handle them. Ideally, you want them as close to your project as possible. At George Davies, our drivers do their utmost to deliver your turf order in a convenient place – saving you time and labour and reducing how much you handle the turf.
You’ll want to lay your turf as quickly as possible to stop it drying out and settle into its new home. If you can’t lay your turf straight away, keep the rolls covered and watered. In hot weather, the centre of a turf roll can get extremely hot, so separate the rolls if you have space.
Spread a light layer of sand onto your lawn. Sand works as a top dressing to fill small gaps and help the turf knit together.
Top turf tips:
Make sure you lay at least a quarter of a turf roll. If a piece is going to be smaller, cut it into two so each piece is larger than a quarter. This will help prevent shrinkage.
Place laying boards on the row of turf you’ve just laid; they’ll protect it from leaving footprints or creating hollows. It also helps to gently press the turf down into the soil.
New turf needs watering daily. If it’s raining, your job is done! The time of year you’re laying turf and the weather conditions will influence how much water your turf requires. A good rule of thumb is each roll of turf needs 3-5 minutes of watering per day – ideally split between the morning and evening to reduce the chance of evaporation.
Questions to ask yourself before watering your lawn:
For more advice, read our blog on how much water a new lawn needs.
For a quick refresh on how to lay turf, watch George in action! His easy-to-follow, step-by-step video shows you how to get a professional finish to your project. Expect to learn about creating instant stripes, watering fresh turf, and how to measure odd-shaped areas. Let’s face it: no one has a uniformed square garden!
You don’t need a membrane or weed fabric underneath your turf when the ground is prepped correctly. In reality, a membrane stops new turf from effectively putting its roots straight into the soil, which could impact its growth.
For larger spaces, a whole roll of turf is ideal as it covers more ground. If you have a smaller area and need to cut a roll of turf to fit, cut the roll so each piece is larger than a quarter of the entire roll. This will help prevent shrinkage.
Our guaranteed delivery slots mean you can have your lawn laid and established before the next season hits! View our range of turf to order online, or get in touch with the team today. For landscapers, check out our George Davies Trade Account to aid with future orders.
CALL US NOW ON 01234 818 253
Dedicated Two-Hour Time Slot
20+ Years In Business