Laying turf: when and how do you do it?
Laying a new lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. With turf, you can have a fresh green lawn in your garden in just a few hours. For a few euros per roll, you can buy strong, hard-wearing turf, often with varieties such as English ryegrass, which are resistant to intensive use. Do you want to know how and when you can lay turf yourself, and what the best preparation is for this? Then read on quickly.
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Laying new turf is best done in spring (March-April) or autumn (September-October). During these periods of the year, temperatures are mild and there is usually enough rain, which is ideal for young grass. The combination of moisture and moderate temperatures allows the turf to adhere well and take firm root in the soil. In short: avoid the extremes of summer heat or winter frost and choose a time when nature gives you a helping hand. This way, you give your new lawn the best start!
Yes, even without a roller you can lay turf yourself. This is the material you need:
- Turf (incl. 10% cutting loss)
A smooth lawn starts with a good preparation of the subsoil. It must be firm and nice and flat, otherwise holes can appear when the earth later settles and that looks messy.
About a week before laying the turf, sprinkle an organic fertilizer over the soil. Then prepare the soil well: level the surface and remove any large stones. Are there still uneven spots? Then fill these with garden soil, spread it evenly and rake it nicely flat.
Turf is usually delivered in rolls. Get started quickly, otherwise the rolled up grass will not catch enough light. It is best to lay turf within 24 hours, otherwise it is useful to roll out the turf. Are you ready for the job? Then take this simple step-by-step plan with you.
Start by preparing the ground: remove weeds and stones, and level the surface neatly with a rake. This ensures that the turf will fit perfectly on the ground surface: there should not be a single air gap.
Walk in small steps over the ground to press it firmly. Do you see a hole? Fill it with garden soil, press it down again and rake the whole thing smooth again.
Roll out the turf tightly against each other, with a little overlap. Stagger the seams so that they are no longer visible. Work the turf firmly against the ground by hand. For this job, it is best to put down a wooden plank to stand or kneel on, so that you do not damage the fresh grass.
Tip! Is there a small piece left? Do not put it on the edge but in the middle between two longer pieces. A thin piece will dry out faster on the edge.
Tip
Cut off the excess grass with a sharp knife or spade. Then gently tap the back of a rake over the grass mat. This will make good contact with the subsoil.
Water the newly laid grass immediately and continue to do so every few days. It takes a few weeks for it to adhere and take root, so do not let it dry out.
Wait to mow the grass until it is about 2.5 – 5 cm high. Then do not mow more than a third of the length at a time.
If you have just laid turf, watering is super important. The seams between the turf in particular dry out faster, so give them some extra attention. Grass can take a beating, but with prolonged drought it becomes thin, dull in color and grows less well.
Do you still notice damage, despite regular watering? Then it can help to aerate the grass: poke holes in the turf with a rake or special spike roller. Sometimes the mat is not pressed firmly enough, so that water does not reach the roots properly. With a little help, your lawn will recover!
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