How to Lay Turf

Preparation is key! Before your turf is delivered it is best to ensure that you are ready for it and are able to lay it straight away – so prepping the area first is essential. Order your turf in advance and aim to have it delivered the day you are ready to lay it.

Ground Preparation

1. Remove any old grass and clear the site. You can slice under the existing grass with a spade to remove it easily. For larger areas you may want to hire a turf cutter. Clear the ground of any other debris like twigs, stones and weeds.
2. Rotovate or dig the ground over, removing any dips and hollows. We recommend adding turf base to level the area out and to provide a good, nutritious base for the turf.
3. Firm up the freshly turned soil using your feet or a light roller. It should be firm enough to not leave heavy foot prints, but be careful not to compact it too much.

Laying Turf

1. Start at a straight edge of your site perimeter and your first row of turf carefully and butt the edges of the rolls tight together. Gently press the turf onto the ground to ensure contact between the roots and the soil.
2. Avoid walking on the turf. Use planks on top of the freshly laid turf and work from there if required to distribute the weight.
3. Lay the turf like brickwork by staggering the joints. Carefully cut any overlapping edges and avoid stretching the turf to fit as this will damage the root system and hinder growth.
4. Water the new turf immediately after it has been laid. Keep it watered thoroughly until it has been fully established.

After Care

1. Wait until the turf has fully rooted before mowing it for the first time. Set the mower to a high setting for the first cut to avoid going too low and stressing the grass. Ideally you want to only cut the new growth from when it was first laid.
2. Gradually lower the mower height with each subsequent cut. The optimum height is between 15 and 35 mm.
3. Establish a regular maintenance routine for your new lawn including frequent cuts and fertilising.