Ultimate Guide To Laying Your New Lawn With Turf

How to Lay Turf – Your Ultimate (and Fun!) Guide from SAVERSTREET

Ready to roll out a carpet of lush, green grass?

Whether you’re upgrading your garden, replacing a tired old lawn, or creating a play area for kids and pets, laying turf is the ultimate instant garden glow-up. The best part? With the right know-how, anyone can do it – and we’re here to walk you through it step by step.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the best time to lay turf to top tips, tools you’ll need, and aftercare – all sprinkled with a few turfing secrets from the pros. By the end, you’ll be rolling turf like a seasoned landscaper (minus the muddy boots).

---

When’s the Best Time to Lay Turf?

Simple answer: whenever your soil isn’t frozen solid or waterlogged.
Better answer: spring and autumn are perfect – cool, moist soil helps those roots settle in quickly.

Think of turf like a new houseplant. You wouldn’t stick it in a blazing desert or icy freezer, right? Same rules apply here.

---

Choosing the Right Turf for Your Lawn Personality

Every garden has its own vibe – and the grass  you choose should match. A quick cheat sheet:

• Trident Grass – The showstopper: resilient, colourful, and top of the class.
• Wildflower Grass – A meadow in your backyard. Low effort, maximum charm.
• Clover Grass – Stays green, barely needs mowing, practically indestructible.
• RTF Grass – The tough guy: perfect for heavy foot traffic and dry patches.
• Shade Tolerant Grass – If your garden’s more “cosy shade” than “full sun,” this one’s for you.

---

Quick Guide to Laying Turf (the Speedy Version)

1. Plan it out – measure your lawn, order your new lawn.
2. Strip the old stuff – bye-bye weeds, stones, and old grass.
3. Prep the soil – mix in topsoil if needed, rake smooth.
4. Roll it out – stagger turf rolls like bricks, cut neatly at the edges.
5. Water – give it a good drink and let it settle.
6. A handy guide for turf calculations can be found here Turf Calculator

Job done (almost).

---

New Lawn Toolkit – What You’ll Need

Before you dive in, grab your gear:

• Garden fork or rotavator
• Rake (the unsung hero of laying a new lawn)
• Laying boards (to stop footprints ruining your masterpiece)
• Garden knife (for trimming edges)
• Hose or sprinkler
• Topsoil & sand
• Flat-soled shoes (ditch the stilettos!)

---

Step-By-Step: Laying Turf Like a Pro

1. Plan your project – measure up, schedule delivery, and make sure you’re ready to roll when the new lawn arrives.
2. Clear the ground – turf-on-turf is a no-go. Strip out the old lawn or patio base to reveal fresh soil.
3. Prep the soil – loosen, weed, add topsoil and fertiliser if needed, then rake flat. Pro tip: do the Gardeners’ Shuffle – walking heel-to-toe across the soil to gently compact it.
4. Lay the edges first – like a puzzle, start with the border.
5. 
6. Next, pick the centre focal point – of the lawn from its main viewpoint (i.e., patio doors or steps), and lay a line of new lawn away from this centre point.
7. 
8. Once you reach the end – turn around and lay the next row of new lawn in the opposite direction.  Stagger the pieces like a brick wall to avoid gaps – this will also minimise weak spots and strengthen your lawn.
9. 
10. Finish strong – Have some sand or topsoil nearby to keep your new lawn level. 
11. Place laying boards – on the row of turf you’ve just laid; they’ll protect it from leaving footprints or creating hollows.
12. It also helps - to gently press the rolls down into the soil.  Repeat this process until the area is covered to achieve the perfect striped lawn. 
13. 

By now, your lawn should look like something straight off a gardening show.

---

Aftercare – Keeping That Lawn Fresh

Your new lawn is alive and thirsty – daily watering is a must until it roots in. Morning and evening is best.

Ask yourself:

• Can you still lift a corner of the new lawn? If yes, check the soil underneath – damp is good, dry needs water.
• Seeing gaps or shrinking lines? Water more.
• Browning at the edges? Yep, more water again.

---

❌ Turf Myths Busted

• Do I need a membrane under my new grass? Nope! It stops roots from reaching the soil. Prep your ground properly and skip it.
• Do I have to use a whole roll? Not always. Just make sure pieces are no smaller than a quarter roll to avoid shrinkage.

---

Final Turf Tip

Laying grass is sweaty work, but the instant transformation is worth it. From muddy patch to lush green lawn in a day – it’s like magic (but with more raking).

---

Why Shop at Saverstreet?

At Saverstreet.co.uk, we’re committed to offering high-quality products at prices that won’t break the bank. Our curated selection includes products for all aspects of modern life.

Plus, with fast UK delivery and expert customer support, we make it easy to get the products you need, when you need them.

Get Started with Saverstreet Today

Ready to take your projects to the next level? Browse our extensive range of products at Saverstreet.co.uk and find the perfect products for your needs.

Whether you’re tackling a home renovation or a professional build, or just treating your pets we’ve got you covered with top brands, competitive prices, and expert advice.