History of Online Turf

Deep Roots in the Local Farming Community

Online Turf began life as a family run arable farm that has been worked by our family since 1933 in Lancashire. That background still shapes how we operate today, from the care we take with the land to the standards we expect from what we supply.

From the start, the farm was run with a straightforward focus on doing things properly. Like most working farms, the land, the seasons and the realities of farming shaped how we worked. As the industry changed, the farm changed with it. That same approach still runs through the business today, whether we’re supplying locally or delivering turf across the UK.

The Pivotal Change: Diversifying into Professional Turf Production (1989)

By the late 1980s, brothers Ian and Andrew Mercer began exploring new ways to develop the farm. Rather than continuing solely as a traditional farming operation, they decided to move into turf production and take the business in a new direction.

This was a significant change for the farm. Moving into turf production meant investing in new equipment, learning a different way of growing and committing fully to it. The decision built on what was already there, with practical farming experience and a focus on doing things properly.

Since 1989, that pivotal moment has defined our journey. What began as a forward-thinking business decision has evolved into a thriving turf farm operation. The farm expanded dramatically from 40 acres to 600 acres, proof that our products and service model resonate with customers. This growth didn't happen by accident; it's the result of relentless focus on quality, reliability and understanding what customers actually need.

Today, we're not just a farm that grows turf, we're a professional turf producer recognised across the UK for consistent quality and expert cultivation practices.

Going National: The Launch of Online Turf and UK Delivery

While many turf suppliers remained regional operators, Online Turf pioneered early eCommerce adoption in the turf industry. This was crucial: it allowed us to reach customers far beyond Lancashire and established us as a forward-thinking supplier willing to embrace new technologies.

Online Turf now reaches domestic customers, professional landscapers and golf courses across the entire UK, thanks to our next-day delivery service. This capability to buy turf nationwide directly from the supplier offers customers genuine advantages: fresher product (we harvest and deliver within 24 hours), competitive pricing (by selling direct), and expert support from people who actually grow the turf.

The shift to online and nationwide distribution meant evolving our operations significantly. Today, customers can order lawn rolls from anywhere in the UK, confident they're receiving freshly lifted turf from a supplier with generations of expertise. This combination of heritage and innovation, old-school quality standards with new-era customer convenience, distinguishes Online Turf in a fragmented market.

Our Commitment: Combining Family Values with Modern Turf Quality

Quality starts with soil. Based in Lancashire, we're exceptionally fortunate to have access to the finest sandy soils, perfect for growing turf, typically 80-90% sand composition, ideal for developing healthy, dense grass. This natural advantage, combined with our cultivation expertise, means every square metre of turf we produce meets exacting standards.

But soil alone doesn't guarantee quality. We invest in the best genetics available, using STRI-rated cultivars (carefully selected grass seed varieties bred and tested by the Sports Turf Research Institute). These premium varieties are chosen specifically because they meet our high standards and perform exceptionally in UK conditions.

Here's what separates Online Turf: we back our quality with a weed-free guarantee. Every delivery arrives virtually weed-free (except Budget turf, which is excluded from this guarantee), giving you confidence that you're investing in a genuinely premium product. We also provide online help videos, ensuring your new lawn gets the best possible start in its new surroundings.

Transparency and hands-on management matter to us. Directors Ian and Andrew Mercer maintain a personal, hands-on approach to running the company, even as the team has grown to over 20 employees. The busy office and yard run efficiently because leadership remains directly involved. This isn't a faceless corporate operation; it's still a family business at heart, just much larger and more professionally equipped.

Continuing to Grow: Modernising and Investing in Fresh Turf Supply

Online Turf isn't resting on heritage alone. In Spring 2015, we invested in a brand new turf harvester, evidence of our commitment to keeping pace with growing demand while maintaining quality standards. This equipment represents a substantial capital investment designed to ensure consistent harvesting, faster processing, and better product uniformity.

Our 600-acre operation continues to expand and modernise. We're not static; we're actively upgrading infrastructure, training our growing team and embracing improvements that benefit customers. This ongoing modernisation ensures we can deliver the freshest turf possible, often within 24 hours of harvest, to homes, landscapers and golf courses across the UK.

The combination of traditional growing expertise, modern harvesting equipment and streamlined logistics means Online Turf delivers something genuinely special: freshly lifted turf backed by decades of family farming wisdom and professional operations standards.

Ready to explore our fresh turf products or learn more? Browse Our Turf Products or Get in Touch with Our Team.