There are also good reasons to lay turf in autumn and even in winter:
- Less watering is required (as long as overnight temperatures stay above freezing).
- Less mowing is required, so newly laid turf can stay undisturbed for weeks or months.
- Less traffic using the garden means the lawn can bed in before the first barbecues of spring.
When is the best time of year to lay turf?
This article has been viewed 134,258 times. To lay a turf lawn, start on a spring or fall day, when it’s easiest for turf to take root in the ground, by unrolling the first patch of turf at the farthest edge of your lawn.
How do you lay a turf lawn for beginners?
To lay a turf lawn, start on a spring or fall day, when it’s easiest for turf to take root in the ground, by unrolling the first patch of turf at the farthest edge of your lawn. Unroll it so the longest side of the turf is parallel with the longest edge of your lawn, and press it into the ground with your hands as you go.
Should you lay down turf in your yard?
If you’ve ever envied your neighbor's lush green lawn, you might be thinking about laying down some turf in your yard. Turf is an easy way to replace a patchy lawn with bright, even grass, but only if you do it the right way.
When should I test my soil before laying turf grass?
Test your soil a few months in advance of when you plan to lay down the turf, because it may take some time for any necessary amendments to take effect. Most turfgrass species prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.2.
Can you lay turf all year round?
Can You Lay Turf all Year Round? Turf can be laid all year round providing the ground conditions are appropriate. Turf can't be laid during frosty weather as this can slow down thawing and act as a barrier. It does not damage your new turf if the ground becomes frosty once it has been laid.
When should you not lay turf?
Turf can be laid any time of year except on to frozen ground, however ideal times to lay turf are in early-mid autumn and early spring, when the ground is relatively warm – which will promote new root growth – and increased rainfall may reduce the need for manual watering.
What should you put down before laying turf?
Lightly firm down the turves with the head of a rake or piece of wood to ensure good contact between the underside of the turf and the soil. Any remaining cracks can be filled with a light soil (Turf & Lawn Seeding Topsoil is ideal) and tamped down.
Can you lay turf in winter UK?
Yes you can. The winter is often one of the best times of the year to lay your turf as the turf can settle, root and establish before the summer months.
Can I lay turf in winter?
Generally the cold weather won't affect laying turf either. Winter is actually a great time to lay turf as it gives the turf time to settle and root before the summer months when you'll be wanting to use the lawn more often.
How do I prepare my lawn for turf?
How to prepare your soil for turfingClear away any plants, weeds and debris.Dig or rotovate soil to at least 15cm deep.Improve soil texture or quality if necessary.Level the area.Firm the soil.Add pre-turfing fertiliser.Rake and level again.Lay your turf.
Do I need topsoil before laying turf?
For best results, we would recommend that turf needs to be laid onto good quality, prepared topsoil at least 15cm (6 inches) deep. If the topsoil in your garden is either too shallow or is poor quality, it is wise to bring in more soil before you lay turf.
How long does turf take to root?
Turf roots can take up to 6 weeks to develop a strong root system. It takes around 2 weeks for the shallow root system to form. This means that you need to stay off the grass during this time to give it enough time to form its root system. You will need to give the turf at least 6 weeks to grow before the first frost.
Can you lay turf on top of old grass?
It is possible to lay new turf on top of old grass; however, you're not going to achieve the best possible result. Therefore, we highly recommend you never lay fresh turf on top of old turf; otherwise, your lawn's condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies.
Can I plant turf in January?
It's a common misconception that you cannot or should not lay turf during winter. Providing that you have properly prepared the soil and the ground isn't frozen, there's no reason why you can't lay turf during the winter.
What is the best month to lay new turf?
Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. In spring and autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks.
Can new turf survive frost?
Is turf damaged by frost? Surprisingly, even frost isn't damaging to the turf. Although it's not possible to lay turf if the ground's frozen, once it's been laid, a sudden frost won't have a detrimental effect. Even if the turf rolls freeze, they will keep for weeks and can be laid when the frost has thawed.
Is it OK to lay turf in summer?
Is it ok to lay instant lawn during hot summer weather? It sure is! In fact, it can be a perfect time because your lawn will establish quickly. During summer, a new instant lawn can establish in two to three weeks, which is half the average establishment time of six weeks.
Can you lay turf in summer UK?
You can lay turf at any time of the year, as long as the ground is not frozen, waterlogged, muddy or very dry.
Will frost damage newly laid turf?
Is turf damaged by frost? Surprisingly, even frost isn't damaging to the turf. Although it's not possible to lay turf if the ground's frozen, once it's been laid, a sudden frost won't have a detrimental effect. Even if the turf rolls freeze, they will keep for weeks and can be laid when the frost has thawed.
Is it OK to lay turf in May?
In May, it's not uncommon for the soil to be damp but not soggy, well drained but not dry. And that's exactly what you want when laying turf. Turf can be laid at any time of year.
Tips
Try to lay down turf the same day it’s delivered. If you can't, unroll the turf and water it so it stays fresh.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen and by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Hall. Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California.
How to lay turf
The best time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, when rain will help the new grass establish roots in time for summer sun or winter frosts. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. Water it well and keep watering every few days so it establishes well.
Step 1
Spread a general-purpose fertiliser over the ground one week before laying the turf. Prepare the area, levelling the ground and removing big stones. If the surface is uneven, wheelbarrow in some topsoil, pour it on top and even it out with a rake.
Step 2
Firm the soil surface by walking up and down on it taking small, heavy steps. Fill any freshly-created dips with topsoil and compress again with your feet. Give the surface a final rake over.
Step 3
Lay the turves on the soil, staggering the joints like brickwork and overlapping them slightly. If it’s a big area, work off a plank of wood to avoid walking on the turf.
Step 4
To create a clean edge, cut off any excess turf with a spade or sharp knife. Bang the turves all over with the back of the rake to ensure they make contact with the soil before giving the whole area a good water.
Step 5
It will take a few weeks for your lawn to establish and in that time it’s essential you don’t let the turves dry out; so water them regularly. Start mowing when the grass is 2.5cm – 5cm high, never removing more than one third of the total height of the grass at a time.
How long does it take to lay lawn turf?
Ensure you give full details of the amount of lawnturf required, your name, address, telephone number and the date required. Turf should be laid within 12 – 24 hours of delivery, therefore the preparation work should be carried out in advance of the turf arriving. 6. Laying the turf grass. Start by laying the first row along ...
How to check if grass roots are attached to soil?
This can be easily checked by lifting a corner of the turf to see if the roots have attached to the soil. Your lawn mower should be set at a high setting – It is important that the lawn is not scalped during early mowings. Mow your new lawn often, each time removing a third of the grass height.
What is cultivated grass?
Cultivated turf grass allows you to enjoy a lawn of instant beauty and maturity without the inconvenience and time consuming problems of seeding . To ensure the best results and a quality finish to your new lawn the following steps should be carried out. Ground preparation is vital to the future of your new lawn.
Why do you rake the ground?
The ground should be raked over to produce a smooth surface. At this stage the ground may be lightly rolled or firmed by foot to reveal any soft areas which then can be raked level. This process should be carried out until the ground is evenly firm and smooth. A wide rake makes levelling easier.
Is it necessary to prepare ground for a new lawn?
Ground preparation is vital to the future of your new lawn. Inadequately prepared and unfertilised ground will not give satisfactory results. Please remember that turf is a mass of living plants and a certain amount of care and maintenance will be required to ensure it grows to its full potential. 1.
6 simple steps for how to lay turf
Installing a lawn is simpler than you might expect. And, once you've learned how to lay turf, don't forget to check out our guide to the best lawn mower so you can keep it looking its best.
1. Assemble your kit
The first step in learning how to lay turf for your new lawn ideas is getting all the right tools together.
2. Prepare the lawn area
It is preferable to prepare the site before buying (or getting a delivery of) turf. Remove perennial weeds by hand or use the best weed killer if necessary. If the latter, be sure to use a non-residual product: a residual weedkiller will prevent the lawn from establishing.
3. Lay the turf
Start from the edges of the area, and work inwards to lay the turf. It's easiest to begin from a straight line, such as a path, driveway, or fence line. If you need to, you can use a builder's line, then pegs and string to mark the boundaries.
4. Flatten the turf and fill in the gaps
When you've finished, use a garden roller to firm the turf and ensure it has good contact with the soil. If you don’t have a roller, you can use a plank of wood to apply pressure across the area. For a small lawn, it's also possible to bang each turf all over with the back of a rake.
5. Water your new lawn
Water the newly laid lawn. Using our choice of the best garden sprinkler is ideal for even coverage, but you can use a hose with a spray attachment or a watering can for smaller areas.
6. Maintain it properly
You should mow when the grass is about 2in (5cm) high. The first time you mow, the blades should be on the highest setting. Don't remove more than one-third of the total height of the grass at any one time.
When should I start preparing the ground for my new lawn?
I like to give myself a good 8 weeks to prepare the ground so if you plan on creating your new lawn in September, start preparing the ground in July. Even if you don’t create your new lawn until October, the hard work will have already been done.
When is the best time to plant grass seed?
Generally, Autumn is the best time for laying turf or sowing grass seed. The soil is warm from the Summer’s sun, there are very few weed seeds in the air and the rain comes to help water the area and encourage quick establishment and growth. So, September and October are always good months.
What to do if your soil is heavy?
If your soil is heavy and clay-like, add some fine gravel to improve drainage and add compost or well-rotted organic matter to add nutrients which your soil might be deficient in .
How to firm up soil after leveling?
Once you’ve levelled the soil, it’s time to tread it, or ‘heel it’ as some people say. This involves treading the soil with very small steps with your weight over your heels to firm up the soil. Do this a few times in different directions. Treading is really the only way to firm up the soil and you need to be thorough.
How long does it take to prepare the ground for grass seed?
Preparing the ground for grass seed or turf is fairly straight forward although it can be hard work. You should take your time and be as thorough as possible. For best results, give yourself a couple of months to do it. You can do it quicker but the results won’t be nearly as good.
Does it matter if you lay grass seed or sow it?
It doesn’t matter if you’re laying turf, or sowing grass seed, the ground preparation is exactly the same. The secret to creating a beautiful lawn is thorough preparation. As such, it’s worth taking the time to do it properly. If you rush and make a mess of the preparation, even the best grass seed or the best turf won’t help.
Can you use a rake to level the soil?
However, using a rake to level the soil will only get you so far. The video below shows you how to level soil before laying turf or sowing seed with a tool called a ‘Lute’ made with a few bits of wood. It’s very simple but very effective: This will create a surface which is as flat as possible.
How long does turf last after purchase?
Always attempt to lay your turf immediately after purchase. Turf expires pretty fast if not stored in a cool place (no more than 3 days). To ensure that you’ve irrigated well your fresh-laid turf, you can lift the edges and check the moisture level of the soil underneath. Allow the turf to dry before rolling your lawn.
What is the best soil pH for laying turf?
In that respect, count yourself lucky if your garden is mostly made of sandy loam with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0, because this type of soil is perfect for maintaining a healthy and green lawn. To sum up, it’s a green light for laying turf on sandy loam with hardly any soil preparation.
What is the soil in my yard?
Commonly, the soil in your yard will contain a mixture of sand, clay, silt, loam or chalk in different proportions. In that sense, you may have sandy soil, loamy sand, sandy clay, sandy silt, clay, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, lime-rich soil, etc. The list goes on. Well, our new post will focus on laying sod over soil that is predominantly sandy.
What does it mean when you can't make a clay ball?
Failure to make a ball will mean that the soil is mostly sand. The soil will easily break down through your fingers. The soil on the silty side, if dampened, will feel somewhat soapy-slippery. You’ll notice that some of the dirt has transferred onto your hands. A wet clay ball is unmistakably pliable like plasticine.
Can you lay turf on sand?
In other words, laying turf on sand is possible if you amend the structure and the composition of the soil, first.
Is clay soil better than sandy soil?
They are cold and don’t drain well, as the water stays in the tiny pore spaces between the minute clay particles. This type of soil is generally more fertile than sandy soil, but it will always need amendment of some sort if you want to grass the area. Clay compacts easily, when both wet or dry, which is the last thing you want if you’re planning to lay turf on top. On that note, folks erroneously try to improve drainage and soil structure with sand alone, but even sharp sand won’t suffice, unless mulch or compost has been added, as well. Why? The reason lies in the difference of particle sizes – sand alone will clog up the tiny spaces between the clay particles, and thus remove all air that is so needed for roots growth and soil life. Naturally, all paths for water to drain will be clogged up, too.