Step-by-Step Guide to Laying Turf and Growing a Healthy Lawn

Whether you are adding a lawn to a newly constructed property or replacing your existing lawn, laying turf is much faster than starting a lawn from grass seeds. However, you need to properly install the turf to ensure that your new lawn stays healthy.

Prepare Your Soil for the Turf

The first step in learning how to lay turf is preparing the soil. Get rid of any plants, weeds, or grass in the area where you want to lay new turf. You may need to dig down in the soil to thoroughly remove the roots of thick weeds or plants.

After clearing the yard, turn the soil with a hoe or shovel. You should have at least 12 centimetres of fresh soil. If you are worried about the quality of your soil, you can purchase fresh topsoil. Evenly distribute the topsoil and then grade the surface.

Apply fertiliser to the soil. Starter fertilisers should contain high amounts of phosphorus and should be gently raked into the topsoil. After applying the fertiliser, water the soil and allow the new surface to settle for seven days before laying the turf.

The last step in preparing the soil is to roll the surface. You can rent a roller from a local yard equipment supplier or purchase a small garden roller. Smoothing the surface will eliminate air pockets in the soil, which helps the new grass grow.

Install Your New Turf in Layers

Your turf will arrive in rolls. Start with a single roll in the farthest corner of your yard. Unroll the turf and lay it so that it is parallel to the longest side of your yard. Use your hands to unroll and position the turf and then gently press it down to keep it flat.

After you lay the first roll, unroll the second roll to continue the path created with the first roll. Repeat this process until you have laid a single path of new turf along one side of your yard. Return to your starting point for the second layer. You will install the layers in a staggered pattern as you would when laying bricks.

When laying the turf, the edges should touch but not overlap. Laying the rolls directly against each other should allow you to tuck the seams together for a tight fit. However, avoid stretching the turf.

You may need to cut smaller patches of the roll to get around objects or structures around your lawn, such as trees or sheds. Deal with these areas after you have covered your yard as much as possible with the staggered layers of turf.

Thoroughly Water Your New Lawn

When you finish laying the new turf, you should give it plenty of water. Thoroughly water your entire yard and then check one or two sections of turf. The water should soak through the turf and to the soil below. If the soil is not wet, you have not applied enough water.

Continue to thoroughly water your yard every day for the first seven to ten days. Avoid adding so much water that you create pools of water in the soil. You may also want to water in the morning, allowing the grass to soak in the water throughout the day.

These are the basic steps for laying turf. While it is not an overly complicated process, you should take the time to ensure that you do it properly. This will increase your chances of growing a healthy new lawn.

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Matthew Okafor