New, natural turf can transform your garden but laying turf correctly is essential if you want it to establish, flourish and stand the test of time. While it may seem like a simple task, turf installation is where many lawns start to go wrong and the issues that follow can often be traced back to a handful of common mistakes.
In this article, we explore some of the most frequent problems people face when laying turf and how to avoid them. Whether you’re managing a domestic project or working on a commercial site, these practical tips will help ensure you achieve a seamless, healthy lawn from the very first roll.
Laying Turf on an Unprepared Surface
One of the most significant causes of turf failure is poor ground preparation. It’s not the most exciting part of the job, but it’s undoubtedly the most important. Think of it like building a house without strong foundations, the rest will struggle.
A well-prepared surface supports healthy turf growth by ensuring the roots can establish quickly and draw up the water and nutrients they need. If the surface is compacted, uneven or nutrient-poor, your turf is more likely to develop patchy growth, drainage issues or dieback in dry weather.
What to look for:
- Debris: Clear away large stones, rocks, roots, bricks or rubble. These can obstruct root growth and create uneven surfaces.
- Soil quality: Examine the structure of your soil. If it’s too heavy and contains clay, it may hold water and suffocate roots. If it’s dry and sandy, it may lack nutrient and struggle to retain moisture.
- Texture: The ideal soil should be crumbly, moist and dark. It should break apart easily in your hand without forming hard lumps or dry dust.
- Levelling: Uneven ground can cause water to pool in low spots or run off high points. Use fresh topsoil to level out dips or improve poor-quality soil by blending it into the existing base.
Before laying your turf, we also recommended to apply a pre-turfing fertiliser. This gives your new lawn a strong start by providing essential nutrients that encourage early root development and healthy growth. Incorporating it into the top layer of soil helps the turf establish quickly and reduces the risk of weak or patchy areas later on.
For projects using a deeper sandy rootzone (over 100mm), incorporating a soil conditioner such as our Terracottem Turf can further improve establishment and resilience. It works by enhancing moisture retention, nutrient availability, and root development, giving turf the best possible foundation in more challenging conditions.
Investing time at this stage will set the standard for everything that follows. Good and consistent preparation can make the difference between a lush, vibrant lawn and one that struggles from the start. If the ground preparation is inconsistent, you will get uneven growth habits and colour throughout the lawn.
Waiting Too Long to Lay the Turf
Once harvested, turf is on a clock. It’s a living product, and like all living things, it needs access to oxygen, moisture and light. When turf is rolled and stacked on a pallet, airflow is reduced, temperatures rise, and deterioration begins.
Leaving turf for too long can cause turf heating problems as the heat builds up inside the roll. This can cause the turf to yellow, brown or start decomposing.
To avoid this, make sure your ground is fully prepared before your turf arrives. Lay the rolls as soon as possible, ideally on the same day, and never water or cover the pallet while the turf is stacked. Watering them while rolled or wrapping them in plastic can make the damage worse.
If delays are unavoidable, try to keep the turf in a shaded, cool location and break the pallet down to let the rolls breathe. But remember nothing beats laying it straight away. Our team are on hand to help and provide flexible delivery options to plan your turf delivery around when the work is required to be completed.
When you come to laying the turf, it’s worth considering the weather conditions. Although turf can be installed all year round you ideally want a mild, overcast day. Laying during extreme heat, heavy rain, or frost can all place additional stress on newly laid turf and slow down root establishment. Once laid, lightly pressing the turf down helps ensure good contact with the soil beneath and removes any air pockets. Walking on laying boards is a great way to achieve this without damaging the surface, especially during wet or soft ground conditions. Read our article ‘Considerations when laying turf’ for more information on this.
Gaps Forming Between Turf Rolls
One of the first visible signs that something’s gone wrong with turf installation is the appearance of gaps between the rolls. This usually happens when the turf begins to shrink due to a lack of moisture. While it may look minor at first, it can quickly lead to larger issues like poor root development, weed growth and an uneven lawn surface.
Why does this happen? Newly laid turf needs to be kept consistently moist, especially in the first 28 days. Without enough water, the turf dries out and contracts, creating visible spaces that disrupt the look and health of your lawn. One problem we get is people laying the turf during a hosepipe ban and thinking they can’t water it. There is an exception allowing you to water your turf during the first 28 days after installation that’s given by water companies. We do always advise you to check with your local water company beforehand though.
To avoid this water your turf as soon as its laid and continue to water the turf daily either in the morning or evening, particularly during warmer weather. For more information on watering newly laid turf read our dedicated article to this subject. Also try to avoid walking on turf during this early stage, as it may lift or shift the roll before roots establish.
Pay particular attention to the edges of your turf, as these are often the first areas to dry out or lift. Pressing the edges down firmly during installation and giving them a little extra water during the first week can help them stay in place and knit together more effectively. Consistency is key, maintaining a steady watering routine across the whole lawn will give your turf the best chance of establishing evenly.
Getting this right early on prevents shrinkage, helps the seams close naturally, and allows the turf to knit into the soil more effectively.
Poor Aftercare and Maintenance
Laying turf is only the beginning. The care you provide in the days and weeks after installation is what determines the long-term success of your lawn. Aftercare mistakes can be just as damaging as installation errors and they’re often avoidable.
Key aftercare tips:
- Water consistently: Your new turf needs regular watering to survive. In hot weather, this could mean watering twice a day, early morning and late evening are best.
- Adapt to the conditions: If it’s raining heavily, you may not need to water. But don’t assume all rainfall penetrates the turf, light drizzle may not be enough.
- Avoid overwatering: Waterlogged turf can rot or develop fungal issues. Ensure the soil is damp but not saturated.
- Hold off mowing: Wait until the turf is well-rooted before you mow usually 2–3 weeks. When you do, just take the top third off on the first cut.
- Reducing traffic: We advise to minimising foot traffic on newly laid turf to avoid disturbing developing roots.
Routine care, patience and attention to the weather are your best tools for helping turf thrive.
Getting the Best Results for your Turf
Every beautiful, long-lasting lawn starts with planning, groundwork, quick action, and thoughtful aftercare. While there are several things that can go wrong during turf installation, most problems are entirely avoidable with the right preparation and knowledge.
At Inturf, we’ve supported everyone from homeowners to landscapers and greenkeepers with expert advice and high-quality turf for 40 years. If you’re planning a project or want tailored support, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
Visit our Turf Care section for more expert advice or get in touch with our team for more information.
