Laying turf rolls involves preparing the ground, unrolling the turf in a specific pattern, ensuring tight joints, and watering thoroughly.
Laying new turf is a rewarding way to establish a lawn quickly. The process requires careful preparation and attention to detail during installation to ensure the turf establishes successfully.
Essential Steps for Laying Turf
Successfully laying turf rolls can be broken down into a few key stages, from ground preparation to post-installation care.
1. Ground Preparation
Before your turf arrives, the ground must be properly prepared. This involves:
- Clearing the area of all weeds, stones, and debris.
- Digging or rotavating the soil to a depth of about 10-15 cm.
- Improving soil quality if necessary by incorporating organic matter like compost or topsoil.
- Levelling the area using a rake, ensuring a smooth, even surface. Avoid leaving footprints or indentations.
- Firming the soil slightly by treading lightly across the surface or using a roller, but don't compact it too much.
2. The Laying Process
Start laying your turf rolls immediately upon delivery to prevent them from drying out.
- Begin along a straight edge, like a path or fence.
- Unroll the first piece of turf carefully.
- Lay the pieces of turf so the joints are staggered, in a similar way to bricks in a wall, and push them together tightly so there are no gaps between them. This staggering pattern helps the turf knit together more effectively and prevents visible seam lines later.
- As you lay each piece, check that each piece of turf is level – keep a bucket of sandy soil at hand so you can easily add or remove soil if necessary. This ensures a smooth, even lawn surface.
- Avoid walking on the newly laid turf. Use boards to kneel or walk on if necessary.
- Trim any excess turf using a sharp knife or spade at edges or around obstacles.
3. After Laying
Immediate and ongoing care is crucial for the turf to root well.
- Water the turf thoroughly immediately after laying. Ensure the water penetrates the turf and the soil below.
- Keep the turf consistently moist for the first few weeks, especially in warm or dry weather. Watering guidelines may vary based on climate and soil type.
- Avoid heavy use of the lawn until it has fully rooted, which usually takes several weeks. You can test this by gently lifting a corner of a roll; if you feel resistance, it's starting to root.
- Your first mow should be light and only after the turf has rooted.
Tools You Might Need
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Spade/Fork | Turning/Aerating soil |
| Rake | Levelling the surface |
| Wheelbarrow | Moving soil or amendments |
| Sharp Knife | Cutting turf rolls |
| Watering Can/Hose | Watering the turf |
| Garden Roller | Optional: Firming the soil (lightly) |
| Sandy Soil | Levelling under turf (as per reference) |
| Boards | Walking/kneeling on newly laid turf |
By following these steps, paying close attention to staggering joints and ensuring each piece is level, you can successfully lay turf rolls and create a beautiful new lawn.
