Our Complete Guide to Laying New Turf

 

There’s nothing quite like the sight of a freshly laid lawn. The deep green colour, the smooth surface, and the instant transformation of a tired old garden into an uplifting space you want to enjoy—it’s a feeling many homeowners dream about. But while new turf provides instant gratification, getting it right requires proper preparation, timing, and aftercare.

In this guide, we’ll talk you through the entire process of laying new turf, from its benefits over grass seed to the garden tools and machinery that can make the job a whole lot easier.

Why Lay Turf Instead of Sowing Grass Seed?

Choosing turf over grass seed comes down to time, appearance, and reliability. With turf, you’ll see immediate results, whereas seeded lawns take weeks to germinate and months to fill out. Turf also establishes more quickly, meaning you can walk on it within a few weeks—a big advantage if you have children or pets.

While grass seed is cheaper, it’s more vulnerable to weeds, birds, and patchiness. Turf provides a ready-made carpet of grass that, with proper care, knits together into a strong and uniform lawn. If you want guaranteed results with minimal waiting time, turf is the clear winner.

The Best Time of Year to Lay Turf

When laying new turf, timing is critical to success. In this country, autumn is the prime season—September and early October being ideal. The soil is still warm from summer, there’s consistent rainfall, and grass roots can establish quickly before winter sets in. By spring, the turf will be strong and ready for use.

Spring is the second-best option, but it may require more watering if the weather turns dry. Summer is possible but risky: high temperatures mean constant irrigation, while winter should generally be avoided due to cold soil and damage from frost.

Removing Old Turf

If your lawn already has grass, weeds, or moss, you’ll likely need to strip it back before laying fresh turf. The simplest method for smaller patches is digging it out with a spade. For larger areas, a turf cutter provides invaluable assistance. These self-propelled machines slice beneath the grass and lift it in strips, leaving a bare surface ready for preparation. Not only does this save time and energy, but it also ensures an even removal, which helps when levelling the soil.

Preparing the Soil

Soil preparation is the foundation of a long-lasting lawn. Start by clearing weeds and debris, then dig or rotovate the ground to around 8-10 inches (20–25 cm). This loosens compacted earth and improves drainage. Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure will add nutrients and help retain moisture.

Level the area by treading the soil down in different directions and raking it smooth. Fill any dips with topsoil and rake again until the surface is flat and even. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser using a spreader just before laying the turf to give roots the best possible start.

Choosing and Buying New Turf

Not all turf is the same. Suppliers offer blends tailored to different needs—durable mixes with ryegrass for family gardens, fine ornamental turf for show lawns, and specialist options for shaded or damp areas.

Always measure the area carefully so you order the right amount. Turf should be laid within 24 hours of delivery, so plan the timing to avoid delays. When the rolls arrive, inspect them: the grass should be green, dense, and free from weeds or yellowing.

How to Lay Turf

Lay your turf like bricks in a wall—staggering the joins so no two seams line up. Begin from a straight edge such as a path or fence, working across the garden while standing on boards to prevent damaging the fresh grass.

Press each strip firmly against the next without leaving gaps. If adjustments are needed, cut the turf with a knife or spade. Once all the rolls are down, lightly firm the turf with a roller or tamper, then water thoroughly.

Caring for Newly Laid Turf

The first few weeks are critical. Water regularly so the turf stays moist, especially in dry weather. After about three weeks, gently tug the grass—if it resists, the roots are established. At this point, you can use your lawnmower, but keep the blade setting high to avoid stressing the young plants.

Continue mowing weekly, removing only a third of the grass height each time. Avoid heavy use until the turf has properly settled, usually after a few months. With good watering and cutting habits, your lawn will soon become strong, resilient, and ready to enjoy.

Machines That Make Turf Laying Easier

Although you can lay new turf with basic hand tools, such as a spade, fork, rake, knife, wheelbarrow, and watering can, these are the garden machines that make the process a whole lot easier…

Turf Cutter

For removing old grass quickly and evenly, a turf cutter is unmatched. It cuts beneath the roots, lifting the old lawn in neat strips that are easy to roll up and remove. This not only saves hours of manual digging but also ensures a smooth, consistent base for your new turf.

Rotavator

Compacted soil is a common problem, and turf struggles to root in dense ground. A rotavator solves this by breaking up the soil with spinning blades, improving drainage and aeration. The result is a fine, crumbly tilth—ideal for laying turf that needs strong root contact with the soil below.

Lawn Roller

Once the turf is laid, a roller helps press it firmly into place. By eliminating air pockets, it improves soil-to-root contact and speeds up establishment. It also gives the surface a clean, professional finish, helping your new lawn look its best from day one.

Spreader

Aftercare is just as important as preparation, and a spreader ensures fertilisers and lawn treatments are applied evenly. By preventing patchy feeding, it supports uniform growth and keeps your new lawn green and healthy. This level of precision also reduces waste and ensures the grass receives exactly what it needs.

Lawnmower

As soon as your turf has rooted, mowing is essential to encourage thick growth. A high-quality lawnmower allows you to cut at exactly the right height (and frequency) without damaging the grass. Sharp blades give a clean cut that protects the young turf, while adjustable settings help tailor mowing to the lawn’s stage of development.

 

Ron Smith & Co: The Home of Proper Lawncare

Laying new turf is one of the quickest ways to refresh a garden, but doing it well requires knowledge, preparation, and the right tools for the job. By using turf cutters, rotavators, lawn rollers, spreaders, and high-quality lawnmowers, you can create a lawn that not only looks fantastic immediately but thrives for years to come.

Here, at Ron Smith & Co, we offer Britain’s best range of garden machinery, carefully selected to make your work easier. Our expert staff have an in-depth knowledge of turf care and can guide you in choosing the right machines for your needs. Whether you’re renovating a small back garden or creating a large family lawn, we’re always on-hand to help.