Turf Info & Laying Guide
Garden Soil & Garden Turf Preparation
Before preparing your soil bed, weeds should be sprayed with a glyphosate based systemic herbicide (seek advice from your local garden centre)
Preparation
Before preparing your soil bed, weeds should be sprayed with a glyphosate based systemic herbicide (seek advise). Add topsoil if required to ensure a fertile, firm base for the turf. Ground should be firm and level. Rake soil bed thoroughly, tread firmly and then rake a second time. Turf should be laid on a drainage surface. Rake fertilizer into the soil bed to encourage establishment and growth of the turf, as recommended on the packaging.
Laying
Rolls should be laid tightly together to ensure they fuse quickly. Always use walking boards when laying turf as this avoids rutting and aids consolidation. Lay edges and borders first, avoid using small pieces at the edges as they may dry and perish. Once the border has been formed, lay turf in a straight line across the longest point of the garden, then lay turf either side of this in opposite directions to ensure a neat finish. When ordering turf, allow for a small amount of wastage depending on the shape of the area. Turf should ideally be laid within 24 hours of delivery – especially in hot weather.
Aftercare
Turf should be watered thoroughly (soaked) after laying. In drier weather, turf should be watered daily for upto two hours. Water the turf either in the morning or in the evening; avoid the sun scorching the lawn. Turf should be watered profusely and immediately if there are any signs of drying out occurring e.g. gaps, lifting, browning and curling turfs. Avoid mowing until turf has rooted (this can be checked easily by lifting a corner, roots should be attached to the soil below) this can take upto 2/3 weeks. The first mow should be tat the highest setting on the mower, just take off the tip of the grass, to avoid ‘Stressing’ the turf. Mow regularly, each time removing no more than one third of the grass height until the optimum grass length has been achieved (ideally between 6 – 30mm.) New lawns may be used lightly after a month. Please remember to take extra care for the first year, using a little but often approach with regards to feeding and using.
Turf and General Garden Maintenance
March
The weather tends to improve in March and gardeners are ready with their mowers. The grass will be showing signs of growth, (if we had quite a lot of frost, it is advisable to lightly mower-roller to help settle the surface.) On a good fine day, a top cut could be done. Make sure the mower is on a high blade setting, so as to avoid churning the turf. Two cuts in this month should be enough. Turf is ready and available for supply.
April
Regular mowing can be achieved in this month, still on a high setting. April is a good month for fertilizer. Add the fertilizer to dry grass and when the rain is due so the fertilizer is absorbed better. If we do not have any rain for 2/3 days water the fertilizer in. Turf is readily available.
May
Weed killer month. Be very careful, follow instructions and check the garden centres for specific weed killers for lawns. Mowing will be more often this month. Twice a week with the blade gradually being lowered, being careful the lawn is not cut too short. Great month for turfing, with the Annual bank holiday, plenty of spare time.
June
The blade on the mower should be set at a low setting. If by chance we do have a very dry June, up the blade a little so as not to harm the turf. Great month for feeds, liquid and granular. There are alot of good products on the market. If we do not have any rain for a couple of days please water the feeds. Again, twice a week cutting at this time of year.
July
Mowing down to once a week in July on utility turf and twice a week on finer lawns. The lawn should be at its best in July, keep it moist! The colour should be good, if not as good as you think, liquid fertiliser may be used.
August
Very similar to July but the grass may need a good soak, not just to the tips but right down to the roots. Good month for seeding. Contact Us for grass seed.
September
Mowing should be once a week starting this month. The growth of the turf will gradually start to slow down. When mowing the blade height can be raised a little. Start to think about maintenance this month. Any signs of disease can be treated with a fungicide. Red thread can be treated with nitrogen as long as no other disease is apparent. Think about turfing any areas before bad weather sets in. The kids back at school following the school holidays, now is when lawns need a little TLC.
October
Last mow probably takes place. It would be a good idea to rake the lawn before, to disperse any moisture. Try and keep leaves and other garden waste off the lawn, raking lightly.A good patching-up month. Any bad patches should be done this month.
November/December
Turf is still available, if we don’t have too much frost.
Laying Turf
The decision to lay turf in the garden can often make the difference between success and failure!
Ask many a seasoned gardener about the lessons they have learned from making decisions.
A lot of these decisions will revolve around timing and most importantly experience. Learning when the right times are to plant seeds, or to cut shrubs back and when to take action on your turf will all help make your gardening adventures more fun!, and keep Mr Jones next door in check as you admire your lawn on a summers day.
All weeds and rocks should be cleared from where you intend to lay the turf and allow 100mm of depth for soil under the grass.
This results in a very strong growth foundation for the grass to cement its roots.
Laying purpose grown cultivated turf is hard work but it will enable you to enjoy a lawn of instant beauty and maturity without the inconvenience, wastage or delays associated with seeding
So to make sure you are on the right path our very own mr greenfingers at greenvale has made a guide to help you along.
