TURF LAYING TIPS
Preparation
Ensure the site is well drained and any surface debris (loose stones, weeds and old turf etc) have been removed.
The lawn will ideally need over 100mm (4”) of good soil: rotavate or dig to a depth of 100-200mm (4-9”) depending on the depth of top soil.
After breaking down any lumps, firm and level soil by treading or rolling the surface (if dry enough), then rake it.
Repeat until ground is level, smooth and evenly consolidated, but not compacted. Before laying turf, rake approx 28g (1oz) of bonemeal or general purpose compound fertiliser per square yard.
Ordering
We would advise not to order turf until preparation is complete.
Your Grasslands Turf should be ordered 3-4 days ahead of laying.
Please allow a little extra turf to allow for cutting, shaping and mismeasurement.
Unless weather is cold, turf should be laid on the day of delivery.
Laying the turf
If the ground is dry, dampen thoroughly and do not walk on prepared surface.
Begin laying next to a straight edge i.e.: Patio or path
Place rolls end to end. Ensure turf not stretched but butted tightly against pieces already laid.
Pieces at the end of a line that are too long can be cut and placed at the start of next line.
Tip: the pieces of turf should look like brickwork and when laying the turf, walk on boards so as not to damage the new turf.
When lawn in place, firm new turf down by rolling lightly or tamping with a flat board nailed to a pole.
Ensure new lawn area moist and water if necessary.
Establishing your lawn
Final edge shaping should not be done until the lawn is established.
At this stage there should be no cracks, however, if the weather is very dry, cracks could appear later and should be filled with a mixture of soil, sand and peat, or good quality topsoil.
Early turf care
Water in the early morning and/or the evening, when necessary.
Ensure that the turf and top 25mm (1”) of soil remain moist so that the new roots grow quickly.
When the lawn is established, do not overwater in dry weather. Instead encourage the grass ti deep string roots by applying at least 12mm ( ½ ”)of water at a time. Tip: Use a jam jar to check the rate.
Too much water too often will encourage shallow, weak roots and can encourage weeds.
First steps in turf maintenance
Once the roots have knitted into the soil and the grass is growing well, lawn maybe lightly mowed.
Trim no shorter than 25mm (1”) in the first season.
Once the lawn is well rooted, give it a top dressing whilst the Autumn weather is still dry.
The dressing should comprise one part fine peat, three parts sharp sand and three parts good loam. Apply to closely mown lawn as evenly as possible at a rate of 3-4 kg (6-9lbs) per sq metre.
Tip: Use the flat back of a rake to draw the dressing over the surface in order to fill low areas and make the lawn really level.
Tip: Do not cover the grass completely, ensure that the tops of the grass blades are still showing.
Feeding
For the best results, apply a spring fertiliser in March or April, a summer fertiliser in June and an autumn lawn fertiliser in September or October.
Your local garden centre will be able to recommend a suitable product.
Tip: Always follow the instructions on the packet and always water fertiliser if no rain falls within 48 hours of application.
Mowing
Whether you choose a cylinder or rotary mower, ensure the blades are sharp and correctly set up.
Tip: Use a box to collect clippings and a roller to create neat stripes and a flat lawn.
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