TradePoint: How to... lay turf

As the nights start to get lighter and with the promise of spring on the horizon, thoughts can turn to the garden - and what you can do to spruce it up. Here NRLA partner TradePoint shares its tips on laying turf at your property.

Prepare the ground

You’ll want to start by removing any debris that could be on your existing lawn following the winter weather.

Then, you need to dig up the old turf and recycle it if you can. Taking a rake, level the soil so it is even. Make sure you remove any solid rocks and break up any weeds so the soil is smooth.

Add a layer of top soil

Preparation done, its time to add a layer of top soil to the area you have just raked over. Wearing flat shoes, use your heel to compress the soil by stomping across it. Walk over the soil vertically and horizontally to make sure it is even.

Measure how much you need

Then, it is time to calculate how much turf you’re going to need. To do this, calculate it in meters squared, and it is recommended you add 10% on to this figure.

Time to add the new turf

It is important to note when laying turf that you should lay it the day you get it, while it is fresh.

Start from the corner and roll each section out. You can kneed the edges together with your hands and then use the edge of a rake to press down any lumps.

Taking care not to stand on the new turf, you can use a pair of cut resistant gloves and a garden knife to cut along the edges.

It is especially important to water the new grass everyday now it is layered.

Your new lawn should establish roots in around two to three weeks.

Pro tip: You can tell if it has rooted by pulling on it gently. And if you notice any gaps, you can use lawn seed.

And that’s all there is to it! A fresh lawn just in time for the warm summer months.

To watch a step-by-step video guide on how to do this, click below: