Preparation for Laying Turf
Laying high-quality turf can transform your garden instantly - but it’s what’s underneath that really counts.
Even if you buy the best turf, poor soil quality can cause it to struggle or decline over time. That’s why proper preparation for laying turf is the first and most important step.
Well-prepared soil gives your lawn a healthy, nutrient-rich base to root into. It helps the grass grow quickly and avoid problems like patchy growth, poor drainage, and weak roots.
Remove Existing Lawn
Preparation for laying turf should start with removing your old lawn as you cannot lay turf on top of already established grass. For new turf to grow properly, it needs direct contact with the soil. Old grass creates a barrier that stops this from happening. As a result, the turf may not root well, leading to a bumpy and uneven lawn. It also prevents proper soil preparation, as you can’t access the ground beneath.
For a smaller area, using a spade to cut under the grass and dig it up is a great way to do this. However, this approach could take a very long time if dealing with a larger area. In this case, you may want to consider hiring a turf cutter. A turf cutter is a self-propelled machine that’s specifically designed to remove turf strips, making it a quicker and more efficient method.
Once the old lawn has been removed, it can either be disposed of or used for compost. To do this, simply put it grass-side down in your compost bin and let it break down over time.
Clear any Plants, Weeds and Debris
Once the old lawn is gone and the soil is exposed, you should remove any leftover plants, weeds, and larger debris to the best of your ability. Leaving weeds in the soil can result in them coming back in your new turf and competing with your grass for nutrients, slowing down its growth. Large debris can result in poor soil structure, likely leading to an uneven lawn. On the other hand, having some small stones leftover is fine, as this can help with drainage.
Depending on the size of the area and debris that you are dealing with, this can be done using your hands, a garden spade, or a machine. If you come across any plants that you still want to keep, make sure to move them to another part of the garden out of the way. For weeds, these can either be thrown away or used to make compost.
Test and Amend the PH Level of the Soil
In order for turf to thrive, your soil’s pH levels should be between 6.0 and 7.0. This ensures that essential nutrients the grass needs, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are widely available to it.
Most garden centres sell kits that allow you to test your soil’s pH at home, while some also offer a service where you can send a sample of your soil to be analysed. This then allows you to tailor the right treatment for your lawn. For example, if you find that the pH is too high, you can add sulphur to lower it. On the other hand, if the pH is too low, it can be raised by adding lime to it.
However, if you don’t want to test your soil, you can add some slow-release general fertiliser to it instead. This will increase all nutrient levels in your soil and improve its structure, giving it an all-round boost.
Turn the soil
Turning the soil loosens and breaks up compacted areas. This is important because turf’s roots naturally grow downwards when looking for nutrients and water. Loosening the soil means that the roots will experience less resistance when trying to get deeper into the soil, resulting in a stronger, healthier grass that handles foot traffic and difficult weather conditions, such as drought, better.
For smaller gardens, this can be done using a spade or a garden fork. Larger areas, on the other hand, may require you to hire a powered cultivator to make the task easier. While 10 cm is the minimum that you should dig down to, we recommend digging down to 15 cm. If you are struggling to do so, add some high-quality topsoil as this will improve the overall structure of the soil and the nutrients in it.
Rake and firm the soil
Raking and levelling your soil is the key part of preparation for laying turf, keeping your lawn healthy for years to come. An uneven lawn is harder to mow, as the mower may struggle to maintain consistent cutting height on the dips. It can also lead to drainage issues, with the water collecting in the dips, potentially leading to lawn diseases or pest infestations in the future.
Start by raking the soil to produce a smooth, level surface, removing any leftover large clumps of soil.
Once this is done, it is time to firm the soil. This can be done using a garden roller or by lightly treading over the surface by foot. Simply put most of your weight on your heels, then shuffle and tread across the area. This will get rid of any air pockets which could cause the turf to sink over time.
Treading will reveal any soft or uneven patches which can then be raked level. Make sure to continue this process until the whole area is firm and level.
