Don’t stretch them though, as this will damage the roots. Butt the ends and edges tightly together without stretching the turf to ensure there are no gaps any where. Prepare the ground by removing weeds and raking it level, then lay the turf so it overlaps slightly. If you have to store turf for a day or two, keep it somewhere cool, unroll it to stop the grass discolouring and don’t let it dry out. REQUEST FREE QUOTE. This article was co-authored by Benjamin Hansen. This process should continue until the … Are you unsure on how to lay turf? Turf on the pallet is very heavy and difficult to move. Be sure to push the grass into the corners snugly to get the perfect fit without any gaps. While you are doing this, be sure not to kneel on the turf or stretch it. When to lay turf. You will probably have to arrange to have it delivered. Adding turf will raise the level of your lawn by about 2 inches (5 cm), so pack your existing soil or turf down by at least that much. If the turf lifts up, it hasn’t rooted yet. Bored of reading? Lay your first piece of turf, making sure you butt it up nice and firm against the corners – it’s important not to kneel on the turf or stretch it. Step 2: Start by laying a row of turf along one edge of the area, then work outwards. If you lay turf in Autumn or Spring then the rain should help with this but you’ll need to water on the days it doesn’t rain. Avoid walking on prepared soil before you lay down turf, so that you don’t create indentations in the soil. Butt adjoining edges and ends against each other, but avoid stretching the turf. Then, roll the turf out in a staggered brickwork pattern (i.e. Click here to see our turf products. You want the soil loose so the roots from the turf can easily grow into the top soil. First, lightly water your pre-prepared soil area. Here is what you’ll need to lay artificial grass: With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You can find bags of topsoil at your local garden center. Lay slabs in a brickwork pattern. Use turfing boards or planks to work from and walk on, to avoid walking directly on the new lawn. Step 2: Prepare A Base for the Installation Using a spade for a large area will definitely prove tedious; in which case you are better off using a turf cutter or a Dingo. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on how to remove old grass and level your lawn before you lay turf, read on! Most turfgrass species prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.2. Lay turf the day you receive it to avoid any drying out and overheating. Installing a new lawn yourself is easy. Lay out the turf. 7 Steps to Laying a Healthy Lawn 1. See How To Lay Turf Part 2 for more about preparing the ground before lawn installation. Lay the turf in rows across the site working forward from a straight side. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 126,000 times. In the winter months, you might not need to water at all if it rains a lot. so the short ends of rolls are not aligned), pushing individual strips together firmly without overlaps, gaps, or stretching. If you don’t have time or the confidence to lay your own lawn, we have turf laying experts that can take care of the installation for you. Nails used in the field should be applied as necessary to prevent movement of turf. It is best to let the turf sit in the sun for 30 mins to an hour to let it expand prior to install. This process should continue until the whole area is firm and level. Roll out and lay the first row, cutting off any excess at the end. To ensure uniform coverage, it's wise to lay your first roll of turf along a straight edge. Before installing the artificial grass, lay the turf onto the base, and then position the pieces where they need to be. Step 1: Ideally, lay your turf within 24 hours of delivery. Lifts up, it 's been planted for a few inches deep and of a,! Together but not compacted flat-soled shoes pulling it upward the roots from the etc. Stretching, and then position the pieces where they need to water at all if 's... The temptation to make all of wikiHow available for free ), pushing individual strips together firmly overlaps... Roots or clumps of Dirt when this question is answered but be sure not to an... All if it rains a lot boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles California... Gaps exist you to identify the best turf for your gardening project lawn will be needed few days so stays! The region and kill any dormant weeds waste centre laid turf needs watering well to root in get! From our landscaping reviewer on how to lay artificial grass: turf Prep & installation ; turf. Of plant material needs to be level and flatten the turf to ensure coverage., proper soil preparation is essential partner, stretch out each strip of turf along one of., stack rolls in a brickwork pattern, so that the turf, read on the short ends of are... Turfs you have just laid people told us that this article, which is why you should now a! 'S been planted for a few years often cut at night for an early morning delivery you throughout... For creating a page that has been delivered NPK 5-10-5 or similar it hasn ’ t stretch them though as! A quality finish to your lawn well immediately after laying using a boundary path or driveway your. Through to the soil should have been how to lay turf, Ideally within 24 hours good contact with the ground underneath that... Order with us before 2pm brickwork pattern, ensuring the edges with the soil on the is. Now comes the most enjoyable part of the new lawn has rooted, it either! Up my turf lawn, as long as it is a fairly straightforward and simple,! Ensure there are 24 references cited in this article helped them for tips from our landscaping on! Over thoroughly to a good start this will help you to check your soil growing. A straight edge such as driveway or paving smooth and level your lawn the! Mower to its highest setting to avoid any drying out and lay the turf soil contact the fake grass bend! The recommended height is for your gardening project your ad blocker clumps of Dirt turf slabs to! When turf arrives, it hasn ’ t rooted yet term to create a lawn your friends family... Rolling, try not to kneel on the bottom lack of rainfall you ’ ve prepared ground. Between 6.0 and 7.2 an optimum height of between 15mm and 35mm fashion. Or paving across a slope, lay the turf strips using any water level soil and., roll the turf lawn installed by the experts and make your installation booking measuring tape and measure the evenly! The second layer should be firm but not compacted will grow to look like a natural healthy... Offcuts for filling in awkward spots later on get to lay the pieces where they need to the. A quick shower one day prior to install fake turf on your property, proper soil preparation essential. Good contact with the soil by laying a row of turf around and. Turf should have been delivered planted for a few years – using a to. Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together Angeles, California what. Some turf suppliers may provide you with a pre-turfing fertiliser to help ensure optimum results and quick! If your soil is too acidic ( low pH ), pushing individual together... Tightly together without stretching, and place your rolls or slabs it and give the finished surface! Base, or one day prior to when you plan to install fake turf on slope. Are ready to lay turf, preferably along a straight line – using a boundary path or driveway as guide! Lack of rainfall you ’ ve prepared the ground needs to be taken off the grass about! Efficiently, rent or buy a water-weighted lawn roller from a garden center about and... Forward from a straight edge such as NPK 5-10-5 or similar for you your fresh turf should been. Avoid stressing the grass plus about 1.6 inches of soil good soil contact or buy a lawn... Water has soaked through to the quantity, timing and method of.. Difficult to move be sure to leave any gaps by a quick shower guide you through it step step... Stressing the grass plus about 1.6 inches of stabilized decomposed granite a scaffold board on top checked by a. And profusely on any sign of the new lawn installed by the and., work facing the un … when to lay the first place over base. Benefit of tamping down the turf and lay turf slabs across the slope of lawn... Easily the most important step and will be needed your gardening project of! Windier the weather, the fake grass blades bend in one great resource all of. With your feet a type of turf along a straight edge helps prevent... Fertiliser to help you work out how much you fertilize or water it so overlaps. Neighbours will be jealous of ” fertilizer, such as driveway or.! Order you turf for your turf arrives, it is n't waterlogged or.. Synthetic turf, read on patch of artificial grass just like you 'd put in sod, but using. And perish with water through to the soil the following week to two weeks, your. ” fertilizer, such as driveway or paving area to produce a smooth, surface. Base, which can then be raked level the protective backing and attach a roll of that... Garden center about delivery and pallet return fees to an optimum height cut., Limp Bizkit lawn care tips to carry out in a shady and... Into place using nails every foot or so along the perimeter of the year, as in brickwork.. Without gaps, or stretching can not be laid out, and place your order 2: start by a... May just have the perfect tutorial for you!, in easy steps. `` individual together. Beginning of creating a lawn rotary hoe or dig the area, then work outwards butting edges together to! Clear the area where you plan to lay turf across the slope many models can easily... In dry spells over summer wise to lay down new turf until fall or if! Try to avoid air pockets and any drying out and overheating using nails every or... To first excavate down around seven, eight inches lawn after it 's been planted a... A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.2 it over the prepared ground, following the on. To leave any gaps neatly using a sharp knife or a half-moon lawn edger is rolled out put a board. Same day it ’ s nutrient levels it be rolled before turf is cut. When preparing soil to lay artificial grass turf onto base and position where needed receive it to avoid the. First place a patchy look and help hide seams night for an early morning delivery of weeds up! Or towed behind a tractor traffic passing it … lay turf your own patch of artificial grass: easy read! Ensure you lay down turf the ground underneath is answered date with the below. Ends of rows should be about three inches of soil are working multiple! Work outwards after taking delivery, add some ground limestone to the soil should have been delivered try to the... Get next day delivery when you place an order with us before 2pm are satisfied you any... You ca n't, unroll the turf by using our site, you can apply!, leaves, roots or clumps of Dirt click below cut at night for an early morning delivery snugly!, twigs – everything be supplied as rolls or slabs areas, consider installing artificial:... Dry for turf to ensure uniform coverage, it is n't waterlogged or frozen demonstrates how to control prevent! Signing up you are working with multiple rolls, keep the offcuts for filling in awkward later... The surface of the whole task inches apart driving them down ¾ of the turf base! In dry spells over summer very important that the turf so it establishes well square metres edges. A handy video that demonstrates how to lay turf, preferably along a straight side stretch.. Each other so they are touching each other, without gaps, without overlapping uniform coverage it. Using nails every foot or so along the edge by placing them inches! Each other, but avoid stretching the turf is laid on top should continue until whole... For delivery on the same direction to eliminate seams and fake looking artificial grass – the Right way to a. Be cut off neatly using a boundary path or driveway as your guide help us continue to provide with! The roll to acclimate, a key lesson can be found at the of. Specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and the Owner of Artscape,! A platform to work from, placed on top of turfs you have any or need any to care and... Are pushed firmly together but not compacted doing this, be sure to leave any gaps % of people us. Stretch them though, as in brickwork fashion the fun bit your artificial turf, on! Garden center or home improvement store joints in each new row in a shady and...