Now that your new lawn has been laid, the care that your turf receives in the first month as it starts to root and establish itself is absolutely crucial. With all the time and money that you’ve spent, you don’t want problems to develop due to lack of care. In order to have a lawn that continues to be healthy throughout the year, you need to cosset it at the beginning, i.e. while it settles.
Let’s have a look at the process of turf laying and how we help it look its best.
The turf laying process
We supply healthy turf that is of the highest quality and which can be laid at virtually any time of the year. The only exception to this would be in the winter when the ground is frozen, although frost will not normally affect newly laid grass.
Before the turf is delivered to site, the ground should be well prepared beforehand to encourage the new turf to root deeply. Turf that is long lasting and penetrates properly can be pretty much assured if you prepare the soil correctly before laying the turf. In order to prepare the ground, you will need some topsoil together with some tools, i.e. spade, rake and wheelbarrow.
First of all, remove any weeds from the area where the turf is to be laid – you will need to dig deep to remove the roots of any perennial weeds that may be growing. After weeding, break down any large lumps of soil and then finish off by raking over the soil, thereby levelling the area. The area needs at least 100mm of good soil that has no stones etc. in it – you don’t want your new turf’s roots finding it a struggle to grow because of obstacles. You may need to import some new soil.
When can I walk on the new turf?
This is a question that we are often asked – don’t be tempted to walk on the new turf until about three to four weeks have passed. This should allow the roots enough time to grow deeply into the soil. If you can’t avoid walking on the new turf, we suggest you put a board or plank down to walk on to avoid foot depressions in the lawn. And keep pets off the new lawn! Also, you should avoid giving the lawn its first mow until three or four weeks after laying, as this can be disruptive to the turf while it is settling in and can actually stop the process from being completely successful. Even then, no more than 3/4 off at any one time or you will ruin your new lawn.
How long does the whole process take?
Depending on how well the ground is prepared beforehand and what the weather is like, it can take up to about four to six weeks for the whole process of laying turf to be carried out. It can then take a further four to six weeks for the turf to start to establish. During this time, the turf becomes stronger as the roots grow into the soil.
We offer two services, but always recommend the longer process is carried out. Having been researching and changing our processes for the last 20 years, we have strong knowledge about the longitude of grass well established. This enables us to offer a guarantee on the grass we have laid which is valid for the first season. As grass is living and breathing, it is subject to changes depending on what is around it. While we do offer the quicker and cheaper option, we do not offer the guarantee on this due to our extensive research. We were the only firm offering the 6-week process at a time the RHS were even suggesting to do it in one day. Now this process has become standard and the RHS's own research confirms this.
Helping the new turf to root
We have already mentioned how important it is to take care of newly laid turf. And one of the most important steps is supplying your turf with water. As the turf can take several weeks to root, it needs to be regularly watered during this period to help it settle into the ground as well as stopping it from shrinking. Check that you have a good water supply and a good quality sprinkler - or at least a hosepipe - before your turf is delivered.
Preparing the ground correctly prior to the new turf being laid is essential to avoid wasting new turf. If in any doubt, do contact a professional for advice.
Stephen Charles Landscapes have been supplying and installing lawns of the highest quality for over 30 years. Our experts can offer you advice on when to lay your lawn and how to look after it to keep it looking great in the years to come. Just give us a call on 020 3897 8422 and we will be happy to have a chat!
by Leslie Chetland
28th June 2021