All over the country, garden lawns are looking a little soggy! The deluge of water has left homeowners staring at boggy back gardens in need of attention. Now is the time to tackle the grass, however if your green space has reached the point of no return, you might want to consider returfing.
Laying new turf can produce fantastic results but the key is in the preparation. With a little planning and work beforehand, you’ll be looking out at a thriving lawn by summer. Here at D.W. Nye, we’ve had years of experience when it comes to supplying top-quality turf and answering your lawn-laying questions, so we’ve put together our top five tips for a lovely lawn along with Rolawn, suppliers of the UK’s best selling and most frequently specified turf.
- Choose your time – the conditions are an important factor when it comes to deciding when to get on with the job in hand. If there’s still a ground frost at night, it’s best to wait until the weather warms up to avoid the grass dying off before it has properly established. It’s also best to avoid laying turf during hot, dry periods as this can make the process harder as more attention is needed.
- Out with the old – the existing grass can be removed with herbicide to stop the spread of weeds from the old lawn affecting the new one, however this should be done weeks before you plan to lay the new grass. Turf or sod cutters are also available from hire shops, which will save you time and energy in the long run, otherwise it’s down to hard work with a hoe. Green waste can be composted or taken to a local recycling centre.
- Sort the soil – prepare the site by removing stones and loosening the ground before covering with topsoil. It’s advisable to walk over the surface to compact the new layer before a final rake over. Check the ground is level at this stage. Aim for a minimum of 15cms of soil under the new grass to aid drainage and water retention. Water the soil a couple of days before the new turf arrives and rake again.
- Laying the turf – start by laying your new turf along a straight line, to form a row. The following row should be staggered to create a brickwork effect. Push each section into the topsoil to ensure contact between the two layers. Try to avoid stretching the grass over cracks as this will tear the roots and kill off the new growth. Gaps can be filled with soil. Try to avoid walking on the grass, instead walk on planks of wood placed on top.
- Give it a drink – water your newly laid turf every day until it has taken root. Early morning or evening is the best time, to ensure the water is retained in the soil. Don’t delay mowing the lawn – keep the length under control to allow sunshine to reach the roots but never remove more than one third of the blade length.
Here at D.W. Nye, we stock Rolawn Medallion Turf, a multi-purpose, high-quality blend of fescue and ryegrass for an outstanding finish that’s both hardwearing and easy to maintain. The key to the success of this turf is its ability to establish early, so your garden will start to transform rapidly.
If you have any questions about how to rejuvenate your lawn, come along to our depot in Kingsfold or call us on 01306 628114 for advice.
