If you’ve been dreaming of having a lush and green lawn in your garden, laying turf is the perfect way to make it happen. It’s not just a great way to add colour and beauty to your outdoor space - it also provides a practical and durable solution for keeping your garden looking great all year round. With the right preparation, knowledge and tools, laying turf can be a relatively easy DIY project. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to lay turf in your garden, so you can transform your outdoor area into a beautiful, vibrant space. From choosing the right turf and preparing the ground, to watering and maintaining the lawn, you’ll learn all the tips and tricks you need to get the job done. So, let’s get started!
Why lay turf in your garden
Laying turf in your garden is a great way to instantly transform and beautify your outdoor space. Turf has become very popular in recent years, with many homeowners choosing to use it instead of natural grass in their gardens. It’s a great choice if you don’t have the time, resources, or space to grow your own grass. Turf is synthetic grass that is often used to create sports pitches and lawn areas. It’s made from a combination of materials like sand, rubber, and organic materials. If you’re looking to add a vibrant and colourful addition to your garden, turf is a great option. It comes in many different textures and colours, so you can choose a design that complements your outdoor space. It’s also a great option if you want to avoid regular maintenance, such as mowing, that comes with natural grass.
Choosing the right turf
When you’re choosing the turf for your garden, it’s important to get the right type for your particular needs. The first thing you’ll want to consider is the type of soil you’re planting your turf in. You’ll want to choose a type of turf that is appropriate for the soil type in your garden. If your soil is on the heavy or clay side, you’ll want turf that will allow for good drainage. If your soil is sandy and drains quickly, you’ll want to select a turf that will help retain some of the moisture. While you can plant your turf in any type of soil, choosing a type that will work well with your soil will help to ensure the long-term health and appearance of your lawn.
Preparing the ground
Before you start laying the turf, you’ll want to prepare the ground to give the roots of your lawn something to hold onto. The best way to do this is to mix good soil with sand, creating a loose and porous mix that will provide a great growing medium for your turf. You’ll also want to make sure the ground is level and free of any debris. Rake out any rocks or other obstacles that might disrupt the root system of your new lawn. It’s also a great idea to add some additional nutrients and minerals to the soil to help the roots grow strong and healthy. You can purchase organic soil amendments at your local gardening store. Before laying your turf, be sure to remove any weeds, stones and other debris from the roots and underside of the mat. This will help prevent the growth of new weeds, giving your lawn a clean and healthy start.
Laying the turf
Raking the ground and then sprinkling a light layer of sand over the top can help create a level surface for laying your turf. Excessive sand will weigh down the mat, which can cause it to become distorted and poorly laid. The best way to make sure your turf is laid as level and smooth as possible is to use a turf mat. A turf mat is a long, thin piece of synthetic grass that you lay down on top of the soil before placing your turf. This helps keep the roots in place and prevents the turf from shifting and moving once it’s on the ground. When placing your turf, it’s important to make sure you avoid creating any hills or valleys. It’s also important to avoid placing your turf in a spot where it will get a lot of foot traffic. Although synthetic turf is designed to be durable and long-lasting, it’s not meant to be walked on. If possible, it’s best to choose an area that won’t get a lot of foot traffic.
Watering and fertilizing the lawn
The soil in your new lawn will need time to become fully established. To help speed up the growth process, you’ll want to water the soil in your new lawn regularly. The best way to water your new lawn is to create a watering schedule. Experts recommend watering your lawn every two to three days for about 15 to 20 minutes. It’s important to water slowly and thoroughly to help keep the soil loose and porous. It’s also a good idea to water your new lawn at night when the temperatures are cooler. This will help to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly and wasting water. To prevent your new lawn from becoming too nitrogen-rich and dying off, you’ll need to fertilize regularly. It’s best to choose a slow-release fertilizer that is designed for use on lawns. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to determine how much fertilizer you’ll need to add to your lawn.
Maintaining the turf
As your lawn grows and becomes established, there are a few things you’ll want to do to keep it healthy and thriving. During the first year, you’ll want to keep your lawn mowed at a height of around 3 to 4 inches. If you notice your lawn getting too tall, you can use a weed stripper to cut the lawn at ground level. It’s also important to keep your lawn free of weeds. You can spray your lawn with a herbicide once per month to kill any weeds growing in your lawn. If you notice any bare or brown spots in your lawn, you can use either a fertilizer granule or compost to help them recover. If the bare spots are due to weeds, you can spray the weeds with a herbicide to kill them off.
Tools you'll need for laying turf
While the process of laying turf can be a DIY project, make sure to enlist the help of a few friends. It will be much easier to lay the turf if you have some help moving the heavy mats and positioning them on the ground. You’ll also want to make sure you have the right tools on hand before you begin. Here are some of the tools you’ll need to get the job done:
Rake - A coarse rake will help remove any rocks or debris from the soil before you lay the turf.
Sprinkler - A sprinkler is a great way to evenly water the soil in your new lawn.
Shovel - If you need to amend the soil in any way, a shovel will be a great tool to have on hand.
Weed Killer - A weed killer is a good tool to have on hand if you notice any weeds growing in your lawn.
Weed Extractor - A weed extractor can be a great tool to get rid of stubborn weeds from the roots.
Troubleshooting tips
If your turf gets too wet, you may notice that it begins to smell like mould. If this happens, turn the sprinkler off and let the lawn dry out a bit.
If your turf is too dry, it’s possible the roots may begin to die off if they don’t receive enough water. If this happens, apply water to the soil until it’s moist again.
If the top of your lawn begins to look patchy or brown, it may be too dry. Try watering your lawn more often until the issue is resolved.
If your lawn is too green and growing too quickly, it may need less water. Try watering your lawn less frequently until the growth slows down.
If your lawn is full of weeds, it may need more fertilizer. Try applying fertilizer to the soil until the weeds disappear.
If your lawn has bare patches, it may need more nutrients or minerals. You can try adding compost or fertilizer to the soil to help the grass grow back.