How to Lay Turf: The Ultimate Guide

If you're not sure how to lay turf, don’t worry - it’s easy. Just follow the step-by-step guide below.

Laying good-quality turf gives you an instant green lawn without the hassle, waste, or long wait of growing grass from seed. But the benefits don’t stop there. A healthy lawn helps stop soil from eroding, keeps weeds down, cools the air, and improves air quality. It can also improve your home’s value, create a great place to relax, and even help reduce noise. Plus, a lush green lawn looks great and makes your garden feel welcoming.

To make sure that the turf you buy is of the highest quality, always insist on turf produced by a member of the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA).

Remember, turf is made up of many living plants. With the right care, your new lawn will grow strong and healthy, giving you years of enjoyment.

Prefer a more visual way to digest information?

Why not take a look at our Turf Laying Guide Infographic? It's a step by step guide taking you through:

Ground preparation
Raking
Ordering your turf
Laying the turf
Watering
Mowing

You can lay turf at any time of the year, as long as the weather and soil conditions are right. The soil shouldn’t be too dry or waterlogged, and the temperature should be warm enough to stop the ground from freezing. If the soil is frozen, grass roots won’t be able to grow into the ground properly, which will stop the turf from establishing. It is also best to avoid laying turf in extreme heat, such as during a heatwave. Hot weather can cause the turf to dry out quickly, both before and after it is laid.

But why is dry turf a problem? Like any plant, turf needs water to survive. When it is harvested, some of its roots are cut, so it has a smaller root system to absorb water and nutrients. If it dries out, the roots may not grow properly, making the turf weaker. This can also affect its appearance, leaving it yellow or patchy. If this happens, make sure to water it straight away.

For these reasons, many people choose to lay turf in spring or autumn. At these times, the soil is cool and soft, and regular rainfall helps keep the new grass hydrated. This helps the roots establish in time for summer growth or before winter frost sets in.

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need for a smooth turf-laying process. Ideally, turf should be laid on the same day it is delivered or within 24 hours at the latest, as it can dry out and lose its colour. Following this timeline will help the turf stay healthy and grow.

Here is what you will need:

Gardening Gloves - To protect your hands from scratches, cuts, and dirt.

Rake - To prepare and level the soil.

Topsoil- In case the existing soil is less than 15 cm deep.

Wheelbarrow - To carry heavy turf rolls.

Long Knife or Lawn Edger - To cut turf around edges, curves, or obstacles like flower beds.

Scaffolding Planks - To avoid walking directly on fresh turf. Planks spread your weight evenly, preventing soil from getting too compact and damaging the grass roots.

Spade or Turf Cutter - To remove an old lawn (if applicable) and turn the soil.

Hose Pipe or Watering Can - To water the turf once it’s laid.

Preparing your soil is key to helping your new lawn grow strong and healthy. If the ground is not prepared properly, you will not get the best results, so it is worth spending some extra time on this step.

• If applicable, remove existing lawn by cutting under it with a spade. For large areas, you may want to hire a turf cutter from a local tool hire shop.

• Turn over the soil to a depth of 15cm using a spade or a powered cultivator.

• Remove any stones, weeds, old grass, and other debris.

• Rake the soil until it is smooth and level.

• Lightly walk over the area to spot any soft patches, then rake them level. Keep doing this until the soil feels firm but not compacted.

Now that your ground is prepared, it is time to buy turf. If you have not done so already, click here to see our turf products.

• Measure your lawn area accurately in square metres. If you need help, see our lawn measuring guide or use our turf calculator. Most turf suppliers cut each roll to 1 square metre, so make sure you measure in metres or convert your measurements before ordering.

• Choose the right turf for your garden and place your order

• Turf should be laid as soon as possible after delivery, ideally within 24 hours. Order your turf to arrive on the same day or one day before you plan to lay it.

• If you can’t lay it straight away, keep the turf in the shade (especially in hot weather) and remove any film wrapping from the pallet.

Now that the hard work of preparing the ground is done, it is time to lay turf. Use turfing boards or planks to walk on and work from to avoid stepping directly on the new lawn.

• Some turf suppliers provide a pre-turfing fertiliser to help the turf establish. If you have one, sprinkle it onto the prepared soil, following the instructions on the pack. Please note we no longer provide this with our orders. Instead, we apply a liquid based fertiliser to all turf before the harvesting process.

• Start by unrolling one strip of turf around the edge of the lawn. Avoid using small pieces at the edges, as they can dry out and die. Make sure the turf is in full contact with the soil below.

• Lay the next strip along the longest straight edge, then continue working across the lawn, laying strips in a pattern similar to brickwork.

•Place the turf strips close together, making sure the edges and ends touch, but don’t stretch the turf.

• Overlapping pieces and ends of rows should be cut off neatly using a sharp knife or a half-moon lawn edger.

Newly laid turf needs watering well to root in and get off to a good start. The amount of watering will be dependent on the time of year that you lay the turf, with much more water needed during the summer months.

• Water your new lawn well immediately after laying using a hose pipe or sprinkler. Continue until the water has soaked through to the soil beneath the turf layer.

• For the following week to two weeks, water your lawn well every evening (unless the rain does it for you!). The hotter, drier and windier the weather, the more water will be needed.

• Water immediately and profusely on any sign of the turf drying out for example gaps, lifting, browning, or curling.

A healthy lawn is a well-fed lawn!

• Use a balanced fertiliser with similar amounts of Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), and Potassium (K) every four to six weeks during the growing season.

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how much to use, when to apply it, and how to spread it. Feeding little but often will help keep your lawn in top condition.

• For more advice on lawn feeding throughout the year, see our fertilising guide.

Depending on the time of year that you lay your lawn, the time of the first mow can vary. Generally, the turf should be ready for its first mow around two weeks following laying.

• Wait until your new lawn has rooted before mowing. You can check this by gently lifting a corner of the turf to see if the roots are attached to the soil.

• For the first mow, set your lawn mower to the highest setting to avoid putting too much stress on the grass.

• Mow regularly, but never remove more than one-third of the grass height in one go.

• Once the lawn is fully established, gradually reduce the cutting height to between 15mm and 35mm. Do this slowly to avoid cutting too much, which can damage the grass.

• For more mowing advice, see our mowing guide to help care for your lawn throughout the year.

We have prepared a handy video that demonstrates how to prepare your ground and lay turf. Watch it here to get your new lawn off to a great start or click below!

Ready To Order?

Did you know you could qualify for next day delivery when you place an order with us before 2pm? We offer three types of turf, as well as a variety of topsoil and compost products.

Rye Gold Turf:
Our flagship turf. Rye gold has the perfect balance of ryegrasses and fescues for a stunning lawn with an ornamental look and feel. Weed-free guarantee on delivery.

Stadium Turf:
Beautiful and durable, it is perfect for handling the wear and tear of family life. Weed-free guarantee on delivery.

Budget Turf:
The ideal choice for a family lawn when you are on a budget.