Start you project on the best foot -soil preparation
Before placing your order, proper preparation is essential! The more work you put into the ground, the better your turf will establish and the more longevity you will achieve. Here's what you need to do first:
Remove any existing turf, vegetation or weeds: Slice beneath the existing turf with a spade or, for larger areas, consider a turf cutter. Discard any vegetation, do not simply turn it over.
Turn over the soil: Once you are left with bare soil, it’s time to dig it over – up to 15 cm in depth. Use a spade or a powered cultivator, such as a rotavator, breaking the soil as you go. This will ensure air is put into the soil and improve drainage – both will help the turf establish.
Remove stones and debris: By removing stones and debris you will maximise a more even and consistent lawn.
Create the optimal surface with raking
Before you begin to lay your turf, the ground should be raked to produce a smooth level surface. If you need to build up levels or add topsoil, now is the time.
Lightly roll or tread the surface by foot to reveal any soft patches which can be raked level.
Continue the process until the whole area is evenly firm and level. Note, the surface should be firm but not compacted.
Once you've prepared the ground, place your order
Measure the proposed lawn area accurately in square meters, where possible. Some areas are odd shapes and can be tricky to calculate so if you need any help, be sure to use our online turf calculator or give us a call.
Turf is best laid within 24hours of its delivery, so make sure all your preparation is complete and you have the time available to get it down as soon as it arrives.
To ensure you get the turf the day you want it, please plan to get your order placed in plenty of time. We recommend 2-3 days before you require your order, to assure you get the date you require.
Laying your new turf
You shouldn’t walk directly on the prepared soil or newly laid turf – use boards or planks to work from and walk on. You will also need a sharp knife to cut edges of the turf.
The longer turf stays rolled up, the quicker it can perish. If you can, always store in the shade but do not cover.
Start by unrolling one strip of turf around the perimeter of the lawn. Avoid using small pieces at the edge as these can dry and perish more easily.
Lay the next strip along the longest straight run and continue to work across the lawn strip by strip, staggering the joints (like bricks)
Butt up all joints well without overlapping. Trim off any overlapping or end of rows with a sharp knife.
Tamp down each roll with a board, especially along joints. This will ensure roots are in contact with the soil and there are no air pockets.
Encourage growth with watering
Watering new turf and keeping it moist is critical until its roots are established properly (approximately 10 days but this can be longer depending on the time of year). If you do not use enough water, you will get shrinking in the rolls, creating unsightly tracks between them. Water immediately and profusely where signs of drying are present, such as gaps, lifting, browning and curling.
Once your new turf has been laid, it will need watering straight away. The amount of watering will depend on the time of year and weather conditions.
As a general rule, you should water turf at least once (if required, twice) daily. A way of checking that your turf has had enough water is to turn up a roll and make sure that the ground beneath the turf is wet. This will encourage the turf roots to work downwards into the soil.
Make sure you give the whole area a good water. It is easy to leave the sprinkler in one spot and think that’s enough. Especially with oddly shaped lawns, sufficient watering is essential.
Feeding your new turf
When it comes to feeding, a policy of “little and often” will help maintain your lawn in peak condition.
If you have used a pre-turfing fertiliser, you should have a good two months grace on any requirements. As a general rule, a fertiliser should contain a balanced amount of Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), and Potash (K).
Application should be every four to six weeks during the growing season. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation with regards to the quantity, timing, and method of application.
Keep your lawn looking its best with mowing
Resist the temptation to mow your new turf until it has fully rooted (10 days to 2 weeks depending on the time of year and weather conditions). You can check how your turf is getting on by turning up a corner of a roll to see how the roots are coming through. Once you can no longer turn up the roll, you know that the turf is ready to mow. Check more than one roll as the establishment may not be even throughout, especially if you have a large area.
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For the first mow, set the lawnmower to its highest setting to avoid stressing the grass. Mow regularly, each time removing no more than one-third of the grass height. When the lawn is fully established, the height of the cut can be reduced gradually to an optimum height of between 15mm and 35mm. Take care to avoid scalping.