How do I lay turf so it takes?
Preparation, laying and the watering regime in the first month, which determines whether the turf establishes.
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Time
- 4 hr
- Read
- 2 min
Short answer
Prepare and level the soil properly, lay turves in a staggered brick pattern with no gaps, and water heavily every day for the first two to three weeks. Turf dies from underwatering faster than from anything else.
Turf is a living plant with cut roots, laid on soil it has no connection to. Everything depends on getting the roots into that soil quickly, which needs good contact and a great deal of water.
What you'll need
- Turf
- Rake
- Topsoil
- Sprinkler or hose
- Plank to kneel on (optional)
- Sharp knife (optional)
Step by step
- Prepare the ground thoroughly before the turf arrives.Remove weeds, dig or rotavate to loosen, then rake level. Poor preparation cannot be fixed once turf is down.
- Firm and level the surface carefully.Tread it evenly, then rake again. Every bump and hollow will show permanently, and hollows scalp when mowed.
- Lay the turf the day it arrives.Stacked turf heats up and dies within a couple of days. If it must wait, unroll it in the shade and water it.
- Start from a straight edge and work forwards.Lay in a staggered brick pattern so joints do not line up. Kneel on a plank rather than on the new turf.
- Butt the edges tightly together.Gaps dry out, the edges die back and weeds colonise them. Push each turf firmly against the last.
- Fill any small gaps with fine soil.It stops the edges drying. Cut edges and awkward shapes with a sharp knife rather than tearing.
- Water heavily immediately and every day for two to three weeks.This is where new turf succeeds or fails. It needs to be wet through to the soil beneath, not just damp on top.
- Keep off it for three weeks, then mow high.Lift a corner to check for rooting before walking on it. The first cut should take only the very top, with a sharp blade.
Tips
- Check the water is reaching the soil beneath by lifting a corner after watering. Turf sheds water surprisingly well and can be dry underneath.
- Autumn and spring are the best times to lay turf. Summer laying needs enormous quantities of water and often fails.
- Turf that has shrunk and left gaps has dried out. Water far more heavily and fill the gaps with fine soil.
Common mistakes
- Not watering enough in the first weeks — Cut roots cannot reach water. Turf dies from drying out faster than from any other cause, and it does so within days.
- Leaving gaps between turves — The exposed edges dry out and die back, leaving permanent seams that weeds colonise.
- Skimping on ground preparation — Every bump, hollow and weed remains once the turf is down, and fixing it means lifting the lawn again.
Questions people ask
How often should I water new turf?
Every day for the first two to three weeks, heavily enough that the water reaches the soil beneath. Lift a corner to check — turf can be wet on top and dry underneath.
How long before I can walk on new turf?
About three weeks, and check by lifting a corner to see whether roots have grown into the soil. The first mow should be high and take only the very tips.