Laying new turf can transform your garden, giving you a lush, green lawn to enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned landscaper or a homeowner venturing into turf laying for the first time, there are several key factors to consider to ensure success. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps and provide tips to help you achieve a beautiful, healthy lawn.
PREPARING THE AREA
Before laying your new turf, good ground preparation is essential. Start by clearing the site of any debris, large stones and weeds. Persistent weeds may require treatment with herbicide. Once cleared, firm the area ideally using a garden roller. Aim for a surface that leaves a light impression of your footprint without sinking. Level and grade the soil to the desired contours and rake to a fine tilth, approximately 20mm deep.
It’s crucial to complete all preparation before the turf arrives on site. Turf is a live product so needs to be laid straight away to maintain that quality. This is why we offer flexibility with our deliveries and always ask when you are ready to lay the turf before booking delivery.
When preparing your area, you have two main options – laying new turf over the existing lawn or removing the existing turf entirely.
Option 1: Laying over existing lawn
For those who prefer to retain the existing lawn, start by strimming or mowing the area very closely, almost to the point of scalping. Remove all debris and clippings from the area. You then want to use a quality topsoil over the lawn, like Inturf Melcourt Topsoil, and spread this evenly with a rake to a depth of approximately 15-20mm.
Option 2: Removing existing turf
If you choose to remove the existing turf, use a sharp spade for small lawns to cut the turf to a minimal depth, minimising disposal costs. For larger areas, a mechanical turf cutter is recommended. Roll up the old turf or use a wheelbarrow if it is too weak to roll, and dispose of it in a skip or compost heap. Ensure the removal process is smooth and precise to avoid unevenness.
Alternatively, you may opt to hire a professional landscaper to handle the entire process, ensuring a smooth and accurate preparation.
IMPORTANCE OF TOPSOIL
The quality of soil preparation cannot be overstated. Well-prepared soil provides an optimal environment for roots to establish and penetrate the ground. Topsoil serves as the ideal base for turf, facilitating a level surface and firm foundation necessary for successful establishment.
Here at Inturf we supply Melcourt’s Premium Topsoil that is fully compliant with British Standards. The topsoil is enriched with essential nutrients and has the optimal blend of materials to help retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Laying turf can be physically demanding and people often underestimated the work and effort required. Consider whether you have the capacity to complete the task yourself or if assistance is needed. We do advise to lay the turf straight away on delivery to prevent it from drying out. So, completing a full lawn in one go can require a lot of effort and heavy lifting. Our turf rolls weigh approximately 15-20kg each.
DELIVERIES
At Inturf, we offer deliveries from Tuesday through Friday, with arrival times between 9am and 5pm. To ensure smooth delivery, the driver will call you when they are an hour away from your property. The turf will arrive on a pallet and must be placed on a flat surface, either on your driveway or kerbside. Please note, we cannot unload onto a gravel drive or on a hill. If you have any concerns about delivery restrictions, please speak to our team ahead of time.
TIMING AND AFTERCARE
Proper timing and aftercare is crucial for turf rooting. Keep the turf consistently moist during the initial weeks to encourage root growth. We have a dedicated blog on Watering Newly Laid Turf with all the information you might need here.
We advise minimising foot traffic on newly laid turf to avoid disturbing developing roots. We know you want to get straight out and enjoy your new lawn however, allowing sufficient time for the turf to establish a strong and healthy root system will ensure the long-term health of your lawn.
TURF HEATING
During hot and humid weather, turf heating can pose a significant risk to newly laid turf. Symptoms such as yellowing, blackening, or a ‘greasy’ appearance indicate heat stress. Turf rolls act as insulation, trapping heat and creating a conducive environment for microorganisms that generate additional heat. We do advise to move the turf to a shaded area immediately and prompt unrolling of the turf is essential to prevent heat buildup and potential turf damage.
Read our Turf Heating blog post for more information on this subject.
Turf is a natural product and we do say our turf rolls are 1.64m long by 0.61m wide, however the turf can be susceptible to some shrinkage once harvested. Occasionally, a turf roll may arrive with a slight tear. This is perfectly fine and nothing to worry about. When laid, the pieces will knit back together as the grass grows and establishes itself in your garden.
LAYING YOUR NEW TURF
Laying your new turf is a rewarding job that can enhance the appearance and value of your property. By following these guidelines and understanding the challenges associated with turf laying, you can set yourself up for success and enjoy a vibrant, healthy lawn for years to come. You may also want to check out our Turf Calendar which provides practical advice on laying turf all year round.
Always speak to your turf provider if you have any questions about the arrival of your new turf or laying the turf. Our dedicated team at Inturf are very knowledgeable and are happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have.
If you’re looking for more information on laying turf then why not take a look at our YouTube channel, the below video looks at how to prepare the ground before laying turf.
Common Questions When Laying a New Lawn
Should you compact topsoil before laying turf?
Preparing a stable and level surface is an important part of getting a new lawn to establish well. Once you’ve cleared the area of debris and weeds, and added any necessary topsoil such as Inturf Premium Topsoil, lightly firm the soil so it holds a gentle footprint without sinking. You don’t want a hard, over-compacted surface as this can restrict root penetration. A firm but receptive surface helps ensure good contact between the turf and the soil beneath, supporting strong root development after laying.
When should I lay new turf?
Ideally, new turf is laid when the soil is workable, not waterlogged, frozen or excessively dry. Many people choose spring or autumn as these seasons typically offer moderate temperatures and natural rainfall to help new turf establish. However, with good preparation and aftercare, turf can be laid at other times of year just be aware that very hot, dry or frozen ground can slow rooting and may require additional watering or care.
Can you lay turf straight onto soil?
Yes but only if that soil has been properly prepared. Simply laying turf onto hard, compacted or weedy soil can make it difficult for roots to penetrate and establish. Before laying, clear the area, remove weeds, level the surface and work in a layer of quality topsoil if needed to create an even base. This helps the turf knit into the ground quickly, promoting a healthier, longer-lasting lawn.
Do you need to wet soil before laying turf?
It’s good practice to lightly dampen the prepared soil before laying turf so it isn’t powder-dry. This helps the turf make immediate contact with moisture and encourages early root growth. The soil should be moist, not muddy, at the time of laying. After installation, watering newly laid turf thoroughly and consistently for the first few weeks is key to supporting strong rooting and establishment.
