FAQ

How to prepare ground for turf

Contents

What should you put down before laying turf?

Preparing to lay the perfect lawn includes the following:

  1. Clear away any plants, weeds and debris.
  2. Dig or rotovate soil to at least 15cm deep.
  3. Improve soil texture or quality if necessary.
  4. Level the area.
  5. Firm the soil.
  6. Add pre-turfing fertiliser.
  7. Rake and level again.
  8. Lay your turf.

Can you lay turf on hard ground?

Can I lay turf on a concrete or asphalt drive? Grass turf won’t live for long on a solid surface. Not even if you water it. It’s great for a temporary lawn – perhaps for a special event but if you want a forever lawn, you will need to break up the hard surface and replace it with some good quality topsoil.

Should ground be wet before laying turf?

Ideally, you should water the soil a couple of days before your turf arrives. Ensure the soil is moist to a depth of 75mm ready to provide water to the roots of the turf. This also helps the soil to settle and it will need to be raked level again just before the turf arrives.

Can you just lay turf on soil?

Turf is laid in rolls making it a relatively straightforward garden project – simply unroll it (it’s rolled up for easy handling), lay it and wait for it to take root. You can lay turf at almost any time of the year, as long as the soil isn’t waterlogged or frozen.

What month should you lay turf?

When to lay turf. Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. In spring and autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks.

Do I need topsoil before laying turf?

If your soil is poor quality and has been neglected over the years, give your turf the best start at adapting to it’s new environment by adding a layer of topsoil. Turf ideally needs around four inches of top soil to root in.

Should you put sand under turf?

Sand is great for providing drainage for a garden lawn, however, nutrient-rich topsoil is the best material to use directly under a garden lawn.

Should I put fertilizer down before laying turf?

TIPS FOR LAYING SOD | BE SURE TO FERTILIZE FIRST! Apply a Starter Fertilizer first, before laying down the sod. You would also want to include an application of Gypsum, which will loosen the existing ground and encourage a healthier root system.

How long does turf take to root?

Turf roots can take up to 6 weeks to develop a strong root system. It takes around 2 weeks for the shallow root system to form. This means that you need to stay off the grass during this time to give it enough time to form its root system. You will need to give the turf at least 6 weeks to grow before the first frost.

Can you lay turf on muddy soil?

You can lay turf at any time of the year, as long as the ground is not frozen, waterlogged, muddy or very dry. The main thing is that you prepare the ground properly so that your turf can establish itself quickly and take root.

Will weeds grow through turf?

Weed growth can be really annoying and technically weeds can still grow through your synthetic turf. Can Artificial Turf Get Weeds? 1. Although artificial grass has a higher resistance to weeds than natural turf, it’s still possible for weeds to grow around the edges or infrequently through small holes in the backing.

Can I lay turf over existing grass?

Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. New grass will grow over old turf, however, your lawn’s condition will deteriorate over time as the old grass dies. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf.

Can I lay turf in March?

Is it possible to lay turf in the spring? Yes, of course it is, and here are some top tips to ensure that your new lawn turf will not just survive but thrive! The quality of your lawn will depend on the quality of your preparation.

Can I lay turf in February?

It’s a common misconception that you cannot or should not lay turf during winter. Providing that you have properly prepared the soil and the ground isn’t frozen, there’s no reason why you can’t lay turf during the winter.

Do you roll turf after laying?

First roll the freshly laid turf with a water-filled lawn roller across the direction of laying. This avoids the turf strips shifting and prevents any joints or overlaps from occurring in the future. Be careful when rolling; take care to only tread on securely laid areas!

Is it better to lay turf or seed?

In the meantime let me just dispel one myth; grass seed does not necessarily make a better quality lawn than turf. The quality can easily be the same; however, the range or choice of types of lawn is generally far greater with grass seed allowing you to have exactly the right type of grass for your needs.

How often should I water turf?

Generally speaking, during the months of June-September – dependent on rainfall – you should water mature turf about once a week. New turf may require watering twice a day for the first week, then 2-3 times a week, then, after 3-6 weeks, once a week.

What is the best soil to put under turf?

Essentially, a sand-soil base is best for instant turf as it allows for water to flow freely underneath and throughout the turf. If your base is already sandy, look at mixing in some organics to boost the nutrients (more on this later). Comparatively, clay based soil can be quite dense and compact.

What’s the best soil for laying turf?

The Turfonline team recommend either Grade 1 screened topsoil or Enriched lawn soil to improve existing soil. If you are planning to lay wildflower turf, we recommend installing it onto low fertility soil.

Does turf grow on top of sand?

In other words, laying turf on sand is possible if you amend the structure and the composition of the soil, first. Furthermore, if you mix your sandy soil with compost or topsoil, this will raise its pH to a level that makes the soil more accommodating for growing a wider range of grass varieties.

What do you put on dirt before laying sod?

What is the best fertilizer for new turf?

Pre-Turf Fertiliser or Exceed Liquid Fertiliser Concentrate are the best fertilisers for newly laid high quality turf. The carefully balanced ratio of NPK encourages rapid development of a healthy root system as well as promotes lush new grass blade growth and disease resistance.

Can you water new turf too much?

You can most definitely overwater new turf. While newly laid grass needs plenty of water to become established, too much water can saturate the soil. With the turf sitting in water, the roots are likely to rot, as they need oxygen to breathe.

Can dogs walk on new turf?

It’s best to keep dogs off new grass for 8 weeks. Do not allow any pet traffic on your grass for the first 3–4 weeks after your lawn is newly seeded or sodded. Once the grass is established, keep pet traffic to a minimum for an additional 4 weeks. Your grass is ready for regular use after 8 weeks.

How long should you water newly laid turf?

Newly laid turf needs water to survive. Very often this requirement will be met by rainfall, but during dry spells you will need to keep it damp for the first 28 days by watering. After 28 days, your turf should be well established and will be able to fend for itself without the need for further watering.

Can you lay turf in heavy rain?

If you can work your soil into a nice friable consistency without making a soggy mess, then yes, it’s OK to lay turf in the rain. If the soil is sticky, squelchy and unworkable it’s best to postpone your turfing until things improve.

How soon after laying turf can I mow?

Start mowing should as soon as the turf sticks to the soil. This can be as soon as 10 days after laying in the summer. A good way to check is to turn back a corner of one of the turves. If it is well anchored by roots it is alright to start mowing.

Can you lay turf on top of gravel?

The good news is, if you are looking to lay artificial grass on stones, there is no need to remove them before you do so. You can actually go right ahead and lay the fake turf directly on the gravel, providing the drainage is good.

Can I lay turf in January?

It’s a common misconception that you cannot or should not lay turf during winter. Providing that you have properly prepared the soil and the ground isn’t frozen, there’s no reason why you can’t lay turf during the winter.

Do you need to Rotavate before laying turf?

Once the area where your new lawn will be is cleared, it’s now time to rotavate (or turn over) your soil. You can do this by using a garden spake, fork or a mechanical rotavator to save time and effort.

Can I cut turf after 2 weeks?

Your new lawn will probably need its first cut about 3 weeks after the turf has been laid. To test if it’s ready, tug on the grass to see if the turf lifts up. If it does lift up, wait and try again in a few day’s time. If you end up with a handful of grass clippings, then it’s the right time to bring out the mower.

Can new turf survive frost?

Is turf damaged by frost? Surprisingly, even frost isn’t damaging to the turf. Although it’s not possible to lay turf if the ground’s frozen, once it’s been laid, a sudden frost won’t have a detrimental effect. Even if the turf rolls freeze, they will keep for weeks and can be laid when the frost has thawed.

How long does it take to establish a lawn?

Most grass seed will start growing in about 10-14 days, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days. When you’re planting new grass seed in your yard, it can seem like it’s taking forever to start sprouting.

How much does turf cost?

On average, artificial turf installation costs $12.33 per square foot for labor and materials, with a typical cost range between $5.50 and $18.75 per square foot. Many factors will impact total costs, including the turf’s blade shape, brand, and quality.

How do you keep new turf alive?

There are 5 rules to caring for new turf

  1. Water regularly, never let the ground dry out.
  2. Keep off the grass until it has rooted in.
  3. Mow little and often once the grass is growing well.
  4. Top up soil nutrient levels to encourage strong root growth.
  5. Don’t allow fallen leaves or debris to accumulate on your new lawn.

Why is new turf yellow?

The rolled up turf cannot cool itself and the heat cannot escape very fast, therefore, the turf becomes hot. At first the heat will cause the grass to turn yellow or black. If the heat persists, it may kill it. This may happen within 24-48 hrs after the turf is harvested.

Can you walk on new turf water?

q. How long before you can walk on new turf. The recommended time frame is usually approximately 3 weeks before you can walk on new laid turf. If you can’t stay completely off for 3 weeks, then try to minimise usage as much as possible.

How do I level my yard for turf?

10 Tips to Level Your Backyard in 2022

  1. Create a ‘backyard leveling plan’ …
  2. Remove your old turf. …
  3. Clear the space. …
  4. Line up your string and stakes. …
  5. Have enough topsoil mixture ready. …
  6. Fill the holes. …
  7. Add some grass seed. …
  8. Even out the entire area with topsoil mixture.

How do you level ground before laying turf?

Does grass grow in 2 inches of soil?

Grass roots grow between 4 and 6 inches long, so a layer of topsoil that’s 6 inches deep provides enough room for the roots to grow.

How do you level uneven ground?

  1. STEP 1: Determine your location and remove any large rocks or debris. …
  2. STEP 2: Place 2x4s on the site and place a level on top. …
  3. STEP 3: Add or take away soil until the ground is level. …
  4. STEP 4: Repeat the process until the entire area is flat. …
  5. STEP 5: Rake any remaining rocks or debris and tamp the ground.

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