Useful information on how to lay turf

Preparation
Preparation is vital to the future of your new lawn. Inadequately prepared and unfertilised ground will never give satisfactory results.

Existing turf should be removed by cutting under the grass with a spade or by hiring a turf stripper from a hire shops. Soil needs to be turned over to a depth of 15 cm; this can be achieved by digging over the area or by using a rotovator. The area should be free of any debris, stones, weeds or old turf.

Fertilizer
A pre-turfing fertiliser should now be applied and raked into the soil. The manufacturers application rate should be followed for the best results.

Raking
The ground should be raked over to produce a smooth surface. At this stage the ground may be lightly rolled or firmed to reveal any soft areas which can then be raked level. This process should be carried out until the ground is evenly firm and smooth. A wide rake makes this job much easier. The ground should be firm but not compact.

Ordering
Measure the proposed lawn area accurately in square metres or square yards. Turf is supplied in compact rolls for easy handling and laying. Our turf is harvested to order, so please give us as much notice as possible of the required delivery date.

Turf must be laid as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of delivery. In hot weather, keep delivered turf in the shade. It is advisable to prepare the ground in advance of the turf arriving to avoid hold-ups due to bad weather.

Laying
Start by laying one strip around the outside of the lawn. Avoid using small strips at the edges as these will dry out and perish. Our turf can be easily shaped to follow curved borders. Lay the first row along the longest straight line and work across the lawn staggering the joints in each row - as in a brick. Butt and push the edges and ends against each other but do not stretch the turf. Use a sharp knife or half moon spade to cut and trim the turf.

Avoid walking on newly laid turf - boards should be placed down for working on, or walking along. Ensure that the turf has full contact with the soil.

Watering
Newly laid turf must be watered within half an hour of installation. Give the turf a really good soaking and check that the water has seeped through the turf and into the soil below. (Turn up a corner to check that this has happened). This watering must be repeated until the turf has established. Weather conditions will dictate the frequency of watering required. Ensure that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive in hot, dry or windy weather.

If laid during a hot dry period, watering must be repeated at least three times a day; otherwise twice daily. If there are any signs of the turf drying out, or signs of shrinkage; water it immediately.

Mowing
We recommend that you do not mow your new lawn until it has rooted. This can be checked by lifting up a corner of turf to see if the roots are attached to the soil beneath. Your lawn mower should be set at the highest setting; it is important that your lawn is not scalped during early mowing. Mow your new lawn often, each time removing no more than one third of the grass height.

Once established the grass height can be reduced gradually to your ideal level. Optimum heights are normally between 15 and 35mm

Feeding
Feeding your lawn in the first 8 weeks will not be necessary, as a pre-turf fertiliser has been applied. There are many lawn feeds available we are happy to recommend or discuss which would be most suitable for your lawn. Manufacturers instructions for lawn feed should always be carefully followed.