LAYING TURF TO CREATE A LAWN
A quick way to create an instant lawn without having to sow grass seed and enduring the agony of waiting and wondering whether it will germinate … and when … and if it’s patchy … and what do I do if it is?
​
Laying turf may be a bit more expensive than growing your lawn from seed, but the benefits outweigh the cost: an instant lawn to walk on – and free from weeds.
​
The best time of year to lay turf is Autumn and Spring while the ground is still warm and there is more than a good chance of rain, giving the roots time to establish before a frost or a drought.
​
Like most things – preparation is key. Fork over the area of your garden to be turfed, making sure perennial weeds, such as dandelions, are removed. Dig deep. Dandelions, in particular, have a tap root that can go down as much as 10 inches. Leave any part of the root and a new plant will find its way back to the surface and through your new lawn.
​
Once the area is forked over, rake over and level, removing any large stones. If you have poor soil it may be that you require some topsoil. Barrow it on the lawn area, filling any dips and rake to level off.
​
Walk over and tamp down, compressing the prepared soil surface with your boots using small tight steps, feet close together, back and forth in rows across the whole area, and then give the soil a final rake over. This gets rid of any air pockets and lets you see if there are any dips and mounds before laying the turf.
​
To calculate the amount of turf required, multiply the area length by its width and add five percent for trimmings and cutting in. Turves come in rolls, earth side-up. Lay any turf as soon as possible after it’s been delivered to you. The longer it is left rolled up the quicker it deteriorates.
​
Lay your first roll along a straight edge if possible. Butt the next roll adjoining the first and unroll, following your straight edge, making sure there is no gaps where the two rolls meet, continuing to the end of the area and cutting excess turf with a sharp knife or (an old) handsaw. Do not walk on the newly laid turfed area, always work from the unturfed side. Work back and forth (i.e. left to right, then right to left) across the area laying the turves, staggering the joints (like brickwork). Firmly tamp down the turves with the palm of your hand or the flat edge of a rake.
​
Water well in using a hose and sprinkler system. It is essential the newly laid turves do not dry out before the roots can penetrate your prepared soil so water well if there is a continued dry spell. Avoid walking on your new lawn at this time – usually two weeks.
​
Start mowing when the grass is between 3cm-5cm high. Keep the mower settings high for the first cuts until your lawn is established.