How To Lay Turf

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How To Lay Turf

Buckley Turf Contractors • January 10, 2025

Whether you're renovating an existing garden or starting from scratch, knowing how to properly lay turf can make all the difference.

This guide on how to lay new turf will walk you through the necessary tools, preparation steps and techniques for laying your turf effectively.

Garden Tools Required

First off you’ll need to ensure you have the following garden tools to complete the job:

1 Sturdy spade

2 Garden fork

3 A wide rake

4 Knife

5 A few planks or wooden boards

6 Rotovator (for large lawns) – typically available from Tool Hire Shops

7 Garden hose and a sprinkler

Step 1: Prepping the Ground before Laying the Turf

Before you can lay your new turf, it’s essential to prepare the ground properly. Proper preparation ensures that your turf has the best possible environment to establish roots and thrive. This step involves clearing the area of any debris, loosening the soil and making necessary amendments to create a healthy foundation for your lawn.

Follow these steps below to get your ground ready for laying turf:

1 Rough dig or rotovate the soil, not too deep about 5cms-10cms

2 Remove large stones, weeds, old grass and other debris

3 If needed rotovate or dig over the soil again

4 Level and firm it by treading and raking until it is smooth and firm but not compact.

5 If the soil is heavy or poor add sand and possibly compost to improve it

Laying the turf onto your lawn

Once your ground is prepared, it's then time to lay your rolls of turf by following these step-by-step instructions:

1 Lay the turf along the outside edges of your lawn first (like a jigsaw puzzle)

2 Next choose the longest and straightest side of the area and lay your next row.

3 Having laid the first row of turf place planks or boards on this row of turf (make sure you stagger the joins in a brickwork pattern)

4 Lay the second row of turf by standing on the boards or planks so that you do not leave your footprints in the nicely levelled new turf

5 Eventually you will come to the end of a row. If the turf is too long to fit simply cut the turf with a knife to fit the end of the row and use the cut off turf to start the next row

6 Continue until you reach the point where a whole width of turf does not fit the row left and as in step 5 simply cut the turf to fit with a knife

Watering your newly laid turf

Turf that’s been newly laid takes approximately 2-3 weeks to root into the existing soil. Until that time the turf and soil will need to be kept wet by watering with a garden hose and sprinkler. If allowed to dry out the lawn turf can shrink and possible die. Do not walk on the turf at this point.

First Mow

After approximately 2-3 weeks the turf will have rooted/taken and should now be firm enough to walk on and mow. Make sure you lightly clip the new lawn on its first mow and lower the mowers height on subsequent cuts until the correct height is achieved.

Get in Touch for more Help

If you are still unsure on how to lay your turf and you would prefer to look for skilled help then give us a call on 01454 228877 or contact us to supply and lay high-quality turf for you. Our experienced team ensures that your lawn is perfectly established with professional care from start to finish.

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Weed and Fertiliser Treatment for your Lawn

Fertilisers and Weed Treatments

By Buckley Turf Contractors • January 10, 2025

From time to time your lawn will need feeding and treating for weeds and to keep it healthy. Here is a quick guide on fertilisers and weed treatments suitable for your lawn. Why do we feed/fertilise lawns? Feeding your lawn can help it look greener and thicker; it can also help prevent it from becoming weak, patchy and thin, which can make it more susceptible to disease. Most lawn fertilisers contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (also known as N,P,K) in varying quantities: N - Nitrogen - the building block for grass as it helps promote a healthy green growth P - Phosphorous - this is used to develop a strong root system for greater resilience against drought conditions K - Potassium - Helps your grass deal with disease and gives durability and better hydration Fertilising your lawn in spring or early summer with a higher nitrogen content fertiliser can help to encourage growth and recovery from the winter whilst in autumn we recommend using a lower nitrogen content fertiliser to help your lawn get through the winter. Removing Weeds and Moss From experience we strongly recommend that your lawn is fertilised or fed before treating for weeds or moss . This strengthens the grass and encourages any weeds to take in more chemical effectively killing them quicker. Use a selective weed killer to either spot treat or completely treat the lawn. Weed and feed treatments are fine but we still would recommend feeding your lawn a few weeks previous to adding them. Moss commonly grows in damp and shady areas and many people assume it is difficult to treat when in fact it is straight forward. Use iron sulphate in dry or liquid form or you can use lawn sand too; once the moss has died off it will have turned black and you can simply rake it out. Please note we ALWAYS recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any chemical treatment on your lawn. If you’re not sure on how to treat your lawn please call our lawn turf experts on 01454 228877 or contact us here.

Plastic Mesh in Turf

By Buckley Turf Contractors • January 10, 2025

Some turf growers use plastic mesh in their turf production. Why? Well, this is purely for them so that they can harvest the turf earlier and quicker. In order to harvest turf a strong root system is needed to hold the soil structure together so the turf can be cut and rolled up. This takes between 12/18 months. Laying plastic mesh on the turf fields during sowing helps some growers harvest the turf in 6 months saving on maintenance etc. This is then unknowingly bought by yourselves and transplanted to your garden. Once laid you will end up with the area just below your lawn covered with plastic mesh that we have found does not easily degrade leaving micro plastics in your lawn. Not very environmentally friendly I’m sure you agree! PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT USE PLASTIC MESH IN OUR TURF! If you’re uncertain on the type of turf you need and would prefer to talk to a turf expert then call us on 01454 228877 today! Plastic mesh in turf production is a controversial practice that has gained attention due to its environmental impact and long-term effects on lawn maintenance. Here's an expanded look at this issue: Why Plastic Mesh is Used in Laying New Lawns Turf growers use plastic mesh primarily to accelerate their production process. Faster harvesting: The mesh allows growers to harvest turf in about 6 months, compared to the typical 12-18 months required for natural root development. Improved structural integrity: The mesh holds the soil and grass together, making it easier to cut and roll the turf. Cost reduction: Quicker production cycles mean reduced maintenance costs for growers. Environmental Concerns The use of plastic mesh in turf raises several environmental issues including: Microplastic pollution: As the mesh degrades, it releases microplastics into the soil and potentially into water systems too. Wildlife hazards: The netting, when exposed to air, can entangle or harm birds or mammals and to burrowing animals if still under the lawn. Non-biodegradable waste: The plastic mesh is often labeled as "degradable," but this doesn't mean it's biodegradable. It simply breaks down into smaller plastic pieces. Impact on Lawn Maintenance Plastic mesh in turf can create long-term problems for homeowners: Mowing difficulties: The mesh can get caught in lawnmowers, causing damage to equipment2. Scarification issues: The process of removing thatch becomes more challenging with embedded mesh. Planting obstacles: Adding bulbs or other plants to the lawn becomes more difficult. Future landscaping complications: If lawn edges are changed, the mesh can end up in borders or other garden areas. Disposal Problems When it's time to remove or replace the turf: Composting issues: Turf with plastic mesh cannot be composted or disposed of as green waste. Landfill contribution: The non-biodegradable mesh often ends up in landfills. Alternatives and Solutions To avoid these issues you’ll need to choose a mesh-free turf supplier (such as us) who explicitly states they don’t use plastic mesh to hold their turf together. Opt for seeding: Starting a lawn using grass seed avoids the plastic mesh problem completely however it is much slower than replacing with fresh turf. Ask suppliers: Always inquire about the use of plastic mesh before purchasing any rolls of turf and take a look when it is delivered to ensure any promises of mesh-free are adhered to. By being aware of this issue and making informed choices, homeowners can contribute to more environmentally friendly landscaping practices and avoid long-term lawn maintenance problems. Give us a call on 01454 228877 or contact us for more information today.