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Making a new lawn from TURF

Turf is considerably more expensive than seed and there is not as much selection. It does have the advantage though, of producing an instant visual effect.

This does not mean that the lawn can be used straight away. It is 2 months before it can be used, but this is still sooner than a seed sown lawn. It can also be laid at any time of the year, providing the ground is not frozen.

When ordering check the quality of the turf, because it can vary considerably. If you intend to buy cheaper turf, which has usually been grown in a farm field that has been cut and fed for a year, try to see it first. Sometimes the cheaper turf is full of weeds. A cultivated turf, which will be more expensive, will have been sown with a better quality seed, cultivated, rolled and weed treated will be a much better quality product.

Specify a delivery date and arrange to be there so that you can lay it immediately. Turf left rolled up for more than a couple of days will go yellow.

Mark out the shape of your lawn and start laying the turves along the longest straight edge. If no side is straight, lay a long strip just in from the curve and fill in the rest later. Unroll the turf and using the back of a rake, tap it down. If the ground has been leveled well, you should only need to tap it lightly to ensure that the roots are in contact with the soil underneath. Place a plank or board on the first row to walk on and avoid damaging the new grass. Lay the next piece making sure that it butts up to the first piece. Continue laying each row, working from the board or plank. If any of the turves need cutting at the, use an old kitchen knife.

Fill in any gaps on the curves and trim to fit with the knife. Ensure that all edges are butted up tightly to prevent unsightly gaps that will need filling later.

Once all the turf has been laid give it a really good watering, preferably with a sprinkler and ensure that it does not dry out until rooted. If the turf is allowed to dry out it will shrink and you will end up with 'tram lines' in your new lawn that will require filling. When the turf has rooted the watering can be reduced.

Mow as for a seed sown lawn.