Are you looking to install a new lawn at your home, or replace an old one but you are not really sure about the best way to lay turf? If so, don’t worry. In this blog post we will take an indepth look at how you lay turf enabling you to get that green oasis that you desire.
Laying turf is a relatively straightforward process as long as you follow a few simple steps which we will outline in the body of this article.
Measure the Site
To ensure you order the correct amount of turf it is essential that you take accurate measurements of your site. Getting this wrong can either leave you short or end up costing you money if you order far too much turf. There are some things you can do to help ensure you get the correct measurements for your site starting with;
- Sketch out Your Site – All you need is to do is use a pen and paper to sketch out your site as a basic line drawing. The purpose of this is to give you the opportunity to make a note of the measurements you will need to take.
- Divide the site Into Areas – If the site you are working on has a number of different sections such as bends and curves, you should divide them into easy to manage sections, such as rectangles.
- Take Accurate Measurements – Take accurate measurements of each section recording the length and width of each making us of your original sketch.
- Calculate – Determine the area in square metres for each section by multiplying its length by its width. Then, add up the areas of all the sections to find the total area in square metres.
So, lets take a look at the difference between laying a new lawn and replacing an existing one.
New Lawn
There are a number of things it is important to do when you are laying a new lawn and that starts with:
Clearing the Site: It’s not unusual for you to find things such as rocks, weeds and other debris on the site especially if you are laying a lawn in a new house or after a renovation project. All these items must be completely removed otherwise they can disrupt growth and have a negative effect on the overall quality of your lawn.
You should always apply a glyphosate herbicide to your site. This ensures that any weeds that are present in the soil will be killed off creating an excellent base for your new lawn.
Put Down Topsoil: For it to grow properly a new lawn is reliant on certain vital nutrients which are present in a quality top soil or sandy loam. When applying top soil you need to ensure coverage across the entire area is between 50 – 100mm deep. Dependent on the size of the area you are covering you can use a spade or mini digger like a bobcat.
Soil Compaction: Gently compact your new layer of premium topsoil. You can do this using a lightweight lawn roller or the back of a spade, making sure the surface is smooth and evenly compacted.
Additionally, we suggest using a lawn starter fertiliser on your site. This will supply extra nutrients, creating an ideal environment for your new lawn to establish and flourish.
Replacement Lawns
Unsurprisingly when laying a replacement lawn you follow the same steps as outlined above, however with a number of small adjustments.
Blank Canvas: Remove all existing debris rocks and stones and old grass then use a glyphosate herbicide to stop weeds growing through your new lawn.
Recycle or Replace Existing Soil: If the area contains hard, rocky, low quality soil and you believe this is one of the reasons you had problems with your old lawn it might be prudent to replace the whole area with a new higher quality topsoil.
Prepare the Topsoil: Our recommendation is that you put down a minimum of 50-100mm of high grade topsoil across the whole area. Before putting down the turf make sure the area is smooth, compacted and level with no hollows. You should make sure there is at least 35mm from the top of your soil to the bottom of any paths or garden edges.
We hope that the information contained in this blog post will have given you a greater insight into turf laying. However, if you are still not convinced you have the skills needed to undertake the job, contact our team at A1 Turf Supplies and they will be able to help!