The Easy Guide to Laying Turf

Thinking about turfing your yard? Laying turf can be a quick and easy process if done correctly, and we're here to help. In this post, we're going to take you through the step-by-step process of preparing and laying turf plus giving you our tips on which equipment will make your job easy!

Preparing the Soil

Before you begin laying turf, you need to make sure you're starting with a level and fertile soil base. To do this, you'll need a rotary hoe. The rotary hoe is a powerful piece of equipment that breaks up the soil, making it easier to remove any weeds and level the surface. The rotary hoe is great for clay based soils, but for softer soils or smaller areas you can use a rotary tiller.

First off, you need to remove any large rocks, weeds or other debris with a rake or shovel. Then you can start with the rotary hoe and go over the entire area once then go back the opposite way. This should break up the soil nicely and prepare it for the next step.

 

Preparing the underlay

Next, you'll need a mini loader to bring in and spread the turf underlay. You want to create a layer of around 5-10cm thick across the entire area. The underlay should help to keep the soil structure healthy and allows for good drainage.

Once you have spread out the underlay, go over the entire area a few times with the mini-loader. This will help even out the layer and ensure good moisture retention. You can also use an easy level rake to finish off the area.

The last step is to compact the soil and get it nice and smooth. Using a lawn roller, you can easily run through this task. By rolling, you’ll easily be able to see any high or low spots, which can be fixed with the easy level rake and then rolled again.

Laying the Turf

Now, you're ready to lay out the turf! First up, wear some flat sole shoes to prevent making any divots in the soil and moisten the soil. Avoid making any muddy patches! Install the turf along one side of the area, making sure to press the edges together to create a tight fit. Then move along the line, laying each piece down in the same manner, pressing the edges together as you go.

It's important to work quickly when laying turf, as it can dry out and become difficult to work with. You can use a hose to occasionally water down the already laid sections if the weather is hot or you don’t have help to lay it quickly.

 

Rolling Out the Turf

The final step is to use a roller over the top of the newly laid turf. This ensures the grass makes good contact with the soil and eliminates any air pockets. This will also ensure better root growth and overall health of the turf. If the lawn doesn’t line up perfectly, you can easily the lawn with a shear or use the end of a shovel to cut it through.

 

Watering and rolling

Once you’re ready, water the lawn and then roll it in with the lawn roller to get it nice and compact. Keep the lawn wet for the next 4-6 weeks to help it take and your new yard will be looking great in no time!

And there you have it, the easy guide to laying turf. Laying turf isn't hard work, but it's vital to get the right preparation and equipment for the best possible outcome. Luckily, Kennards Hire has got all the right equipment you need. The end result will be a beautiful lawn ready to host the family’s annual backyard cricket!