Laying a lawn is not your average gardening task, doing it correctly takes careful planning, preparation and patience. If you are interested in laying a lawn in your garden, why not contact the professionals? Here at Lawn & Weed Expert, we can supply and lay your new lawn stress-free! Enquire today about our turf laying service.
However, if you want to learn how to lay a lawn all by yourself, this blog is here to help! Here, we talk you through the important steps of how to lay a lawn so that you're not left stuck in the mud.
Before you start...
Before we get into how to lay a lawn, there's one thing to remember, timing is everything! Choosing to lay your turf at the right time of year makes a huge difference to the finished lawn. While springtime seems like an appealing time to lay your lawn, it might struggle during the summer months if it hasn't established properly (especially if we encounter another hosepipe ban). Ideally, your new lawn should be laid on warm, wet soil at a time when it isn't likely to dry out. Therefore, the best time of year to lay your lawn is in early autumn.
READ MORE: What's the Best Time to Lay Turf?
When your new turf arrives...
When your new turf arrives, you should think carefully about where you intend to store it. The best place to keep your turf until you lay it is in a shaded area of the garden - somewhere where the turf isn't in direct sunlight and will remain relatively damp.
Ideally, you want to try and lay your lawn within 1-2 days of delivery. If you need longer, make sure the rolls of turf are watered to keep them healthy in the meantime!
How to lay the lawn
Now comes the tricky part: actually laying the lawn. There's a lot to be said for well-prepared soil, so get your preparation right and your new lawn should establish quickly with very few problems.
- Start by skimming off any old grass, removing debris and weeding the existing patch of land.
- Level out the land by filling any dips with soil and flatten any pronounced lumps and bumps.
- Using a rake, spread some fertiliser over the surface of the soil and water the soil well using a hosepipe.
- Starting at the edges, lay your first piece of turf. Unroll the turf gently and complete the first 'row'.
- Lay your second row next to the first, ensuring the seams of the turf are completely flush and compacted together.
- Repeat until the entire lawn is complete and trim any excess using a sharp cutting tool.
Initial lawn care
Once you have laid your lawn, the hardest part of the job is over. Now you just need to keep the turf lawn happy while it establishes its roots. Soak the lawn with water regularly, it's better to apply lots of water to the lawn less frequently to help the roots establish deeper in the soil rather than near to the surface.
Note: It's best to avoid walking on your lawn until it has had a chance to establish. This may take several weeks!
And there you have it, the simple steps on how to lay your lawn. Be sure to follow each step carefully and avoid moving onto the next stage before you are happy and certain with the previous stage.
Of course, you never have to lay your lawn by yourself. If you would like help with installing your new turf or some more information on how to lay your lawn from the experts, be sure to get in touch with the professionals here at Lawn & Weed Expert. We have years of experience in laying turf and will get the job done quickly and efficiently!
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