Laying turf, a users guide.

Laying turf

Getting started.
Turf can be laid all year round, however frosty conditions should be avoided and laying turf in extended periods of hot and dry weather will require additional care and attention.
Only a few tools are needed to lay turf; a wheelbarrow, a rake, a long knife, a spade, some planks, a garden hose and a sprinkler.


Your new turf will grow best when your soil is prepared in such a way as to encourage deep, rapid rooting. Turf needs just four things (in the proper proportions) to grow; sunlight, air, water and nutrients. Grass plants obtain three of these essential factors from the soil; air, water and nutrients. You must prepare your soil, the quality of the soil and its preparation will greatly affect the quality of the lawn. The correct depth of soil with the correct structure will ensure that the grass roots penetrate evenly and deeply. This will make the lawn more drought resistant, a more efficient water and nutrient user and will lead to a denser sward of grass plants which helps to crowd out weeds and gives a more visually appealing lawn. Poor soil and poor preparation will cause turf to deteriorate over time.

Calculating how much turf and topsoil you require

To calculate how much turf is required, measure the length and width of the area to be turfed, multiply one by the other to give you the amount of rolls required. Measuring in metres is easiest as each standard roll of turf covers 1m². Then add 5% for shaping etc

To calculate how much topsoil is required, measure the length, width and depth of the area to be covered, multiply these together to give you the volume required.

Remove the existing lawn using a turf cutter, which are available from all reputable hire shops or a spade and some hard work.

Preparation.
You need a minimum of 100mm (4"), ideally 150mm (6") of good soil (the deeper the better). The soil should be loosely turned over and free from surface stone, clods, other debris and perennial weeds.
Digging over or rotovating the soil before laying turf is essential. Once the soil has been loosened it should then be lightly compacted. The best way to do this is to walk over the whole area and then again at right angles to the first direction. Then rake the surface to a fine tilth and make sure that the surface is level. This may take some time, but it is worth it, as if the surface is uneven it will result in your lawn being uneven, which will have an adverse impact on the appearance of the lawn.
Ideally you should water the soil a couple of days before your turf arrives. Not only will this provide water for the roots of the turf, it can also cause the prepared soil to settle which can then be raked level again just before the turf arrives.


Laying the turf
Turf should be laid out immediately, as when it is rolled up it is effectively slowly dying as the leaves are not receiving any sunlight.
Start laying the turves, preferably along a straight edge, butting closely end to end. On subsequent rows stagger the joints brickwork fashion. Planks should be placed on newly laid turves for walking along and working from.
Lightly firm down the turves with the head of a rake or piece of wood to ensure good contact between the turves and the soil. Never use a roller on freshly laid turf.
Always push turf into a joint; never stretch the turves by pulling them. Any remaining cracks can be filled with a light soil and tamped down.
The turf can be simply cut using a long knife or hand saw cutting spade around edges and features.


Watering your new lawn is the single most important step you need to take to establish a beautiful and healthy lawn.
Always water newly laid turf immediately and for several days after laying until the turf is firmly rooted. On hot days, you may need to commence watering large lawns prior to laying all the turf.
Ensure that the new lawn is never short of water and that the water has percolated through to the underlying soil. Lift the corners of the turf to check the soil below.
Water repeatedly until the turf is well established.
If rainfall is experienced you still need to check that the lawn is receiving sufficient water.
First thing in the morning or in the evening are ideal times to water your new turf so that less water is lost evaporation.
Once established, occasional watering during dry periods should be adequate.


Be prepared to mow your new lawn within as little as 3 days, if this can be done without disturbing the turf. If turf is dislodged, replace it and allow the turf more time to establish before recommencing mowing.
Don’t delay. Mowing encourages establishment, however most people wait too long before mowing. Turf will accept light traffic almost immediately, although it is recommended that you keep off it other than for mowing for the first few weeks.
Never remove more than one third of the grass blade length.
For the first few cuts remove just the top quarter of the grass blade. Over the next few cuts gradually lower the mowing height down to 25mm (1").
Alternate the direction in which you mow your lawn.
Clippings do not have to be collected if they are minimal, provided sunlight is reaching the blades of grass. Clippings in small amounts return nutrients to the soil encouraging a healthy lawn.