Laying Turf in Winter
Can you lay turf in the winter? The short answer is yes, you can, but there are specific considerations you should keep in mind when laying your turf in the colder months.
From preparing your ground correctly, to choosing the right grass and understanding the nuances of winter weather, there’s a lot to consider when ensuring a successful and resilient turf installation.
Preparation
When laying turf in the winter, you should make sure that your soil is properly prepared. You will need an even, slightly damp base of topsoil that is high in nutrients to give your turf a boost.
- You should clear your soil of any stones, weeds or general debris.
- If your soil is quite waterlogged, you should aerate by poking holes in your soil with a pitchfork.
- You should aim to lay turf on top of slightly damp soil, to encourage turf to ground contact, but still allow for some airflow for drainage.
- If you have any compost, now would be the perfect time to add some to your soil to enhance the structure and nutrient content. You can mix this into the top few inches of top soil, and then lay the turf on top of that.
Choosing the right turf is imperative when it comes to winter turf laying- you want a hard-wearing, versatile turf that will survive the winter months.
Our Rye Gold Turf is our customer’s top choice for purchasing turf in winter, as it’s our most durable, hard-wearing and aesthetically pleasing turf. The high percentage of Rye grass in the seed mix makes for finer looking blades and a stable rooting system, allowing the turf to withstand heavy foot traffic and less than ideal conditions, such as colder climates and slightly more shaded areas.
Online Turf Customer’s winter garden transformation using Rye Gold Turf.
Online Turf Customer’s winter garden transformation using Rye Gold Turf.
Online Turf Customer’s winter garden transformation using Rye Gold Turf.
Online Turf Customer’s winter garden transformation using Rye Gold Turf.
Laying Turf
For advice on how to lay turf, you can follow our step-by-step guide. Regardless of the season, the technique for laying turf stays the same but there are some things you should consider if you’re laying in the wintertime.
You should not lay turf if there is snow or ice on the ground. If the ground is frozen, it makes it extremely difficult for the roots to knit into their new environment. If the temperature is too cold, we may even struggle to harvest any turf if the ground is too frozen to cut. You should wait for the soil to thaw and ensure there is correct drainage before laying the turf.
Install your turf on areas that get the most winter sunlight. As a natural living product, turf needs sunlight to live. Especially during the winter, turf needs to be receiving sunlight to root into the ground and thrive.
When ordering turf during the winter, it may initially appear dormant and less vibrant. Once laid, however, and as the turf starts to root, you will notice the turf settle in and look healthier. This may take some time during the winter, so be patient and continue to provide adequate care to allow your turf to stabilise. It will then be ready to return to a vibrant lush green come springtime.
Aftercare
Once your turf has been laid, it’s important that you provide it with the correct aftercare for the colder, winter climate.
Turf may take longer to establish in colder weather, so be aware you may have to spend extra time avoiding heavy foot traffic and monitoring rooting progress.
You should water your turf adequately for the first few days to help it root in and not dry out, especially in colder weather. If there has been a lot of rainfall, you will not need to water your turf as heavily.
If you are interested in laying turf this winter, check out our range of turf products here.
Want to know more about caring for your lawn in the winter? Check out our handy Winter Lawn Care Guide.
