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Laying a Lawn

Laying a Lawn

For those of you who want to lay a new lawn, then rolls of cultivated turf are what you need. Locally produced by Grasslands we have fresh deliveries every Friday to all of our garden centres.

We sell a variety called 'Rysport' which is hard wearing and retains an even colour and good appearance throughout the year due to the selection of specific grasses. It is also weed and disease resistant and recovers quickly from the wear and tear caused by children, pets and sporting activities.

Our turf roll size covers 1m sq, measures approx 1.6m x 0.6m (65 x 25 Inches). Our Newchurch Garden Centre sells rolls of a different size, the dimensions are 1 sq yard (81 x 16 inches).

Preparation

  • Step 1: Ensure the site is well-drained and any surface debris (loose stones, weeds and old turf etc) has been removed.
  • Step 2: The lawn will ideally need over 100mm (4”) of good soil: rotavate or dig to a depth of 100-200mm (4-9”) depending on the depth of topsoil.
  • Step 3: After breaking down any lumps, firm and level soil by treading or rolling the surface (if dry enough), then rake it. 
  • Step 4: Repeat until the ground is level, smooth and evenly consolidated, but not compacted. Before laying turf, rake approx 28g (1oz) of bonemeal or general-purpose compound fertiliser per square yard.

Laying The Turf

  • Step 1: If the ground is dry, dampen thoroughly and do not walk on the prepared surface.
  • Step 2: Begin laying next to a straight edge i.e.: Patio or path.
  • Step 3: Place rolls end to end. Ensure turf is not stretched but butted tightly against pieces already laid.=
  • Step 4: Pieces at the end of a line that is too long can be cut and placed at the start of the next line.
  • Step 5: Tip: the pieces of turf should look like brickwork and when laying the turf, walk on boards so as not to damage the new turf.
  • Step 6: When the lawn is in place, firm new turf down by rolling lightly or tamping with a flat board nailed to a pole.
  • Step 7: Ensure the new lawn area is moist and water if necessary.

Establishing Your Lawn

  • Step 1: Final edge shaping should not be done until the lawn is established.
  • Step 2: At this stage, there should be no cracks, however, if the weather is very dry, cracks could appear later and should be filled with a mixture of soil, sand and peat, or good quality topsoil.
  • Step 3: Water in the early morning and/or the evening, when necessary.
  • Step 4: Ensure that the turf and top 25mm (1”) of soil remain moist so that the new roots grow quickly.
  • Step 5: When the lawn is established, do not overwater in dry weather. Instead, encourage the grass to deep-string roots by applying at least 12mm ( ½ ”) of water at a time. Tip: Use a jam jar to check the rate.
  • Step 6: Too much water too often will encourage shallow, weak roots and can encourage weeds.

Feeding & Mowing

  • Step 1: For the best results, apply a spring fertiliser in March or April, a summer fertiliser in June and an autumn lawn fertiliser in September or October.
  • Step 2: Whether you choose a cylinder or rotary mower, ensure the blades are sharp and correctly set up.
  • Step 3: Once the roots have knitted into the soil and the grass is growing well, lawn maybe lightly mowed. Trim no shorter than 25mm (1”) in the first season.