How to Prepare Your Garden for Turf Laying

A beautiful new lawn starts long before the turf arrives. The preparation stage is arguably the most important part of any turf laying project — skip it or rush it, and you'll be dealing with problems for years.

Clear the Area

The first step is removing everything that shouldn't be there: old grass, weeds, roots, large stones, and any debris. If there's an established lawn with weeds, it's worth treating the area well in advance so you're not laying new turf over an active weed problem.

Level the Ground

An uneven lawn is both unsightly and harder to mow. We take time to level the ground properly, filling low spots and reducing high ones. This is particularly important in older gardens where years of settlement may have created dips and bumps.

Improve the Soil

Northumberland soil can vary a lot. Sandy soils drain too quickly; heavy clay soils can become waterlogged. Before laying turf, we often work in topsoil or a sharp sand mix to improve drainage and give the turf's roots a good start.

Firm and Rake

Once the ground is level and improved, it needs to be firmed down (usually by walking across it in a methodical pattern) and then raked to a fine, level tilth. This creates the ideal seed bed for the turf to root into.

Let It Settle

Ideally, prepared ground should be left for a week or two before laying turf so that any remaining weed seeds have a chance to germinate and be removed. This isn't always possible, but it does make a difference.

After the Turf Goes Down

New turf needs watering well in its first few weeks — this is the single most important thing you can do after laying. Avoid walking on it for at least two weeks, and don't mow until it has rooted in properly.

If you're thinking about a new lawn in the Morpeth area, get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.