Are you considering laying a new lawn? Good news – you don’t have to wait for the perfect season! Turf is pretty hardy and can be laid all year round, so there’s no excuse for putting it off until another time.
When is the best time to lay turf?
The best time to lay turf is in early autumn or spring, when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild. These conditions help the turf establish strong roots quickly. However, turf can be laid at any time of year as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. With the right care, your new lawn can thrive in any season.
Spring
Spring is one of the most exciting seasons for gardeners as it marks the end of the long, dark winter months and the beginning of a new growing season. It’s the perfect time to breathe new life into your garden and what better way to do that than by laying a fresh and vibrant new lawn?
When it comes to laying turf in spring, timing is everything. You want to make sure that your turf is well-established before the hot summer months set in, so that it can withstand the heat and any potential droughts. By laying turf in spring, your lawn will have plenty of time to root in and establish a strong foundation before the harsh weather of winter sets in.
To get the best results from your spring turf-laying project, make sure you follow these tips.
- Before laying the turf, make sure the soil is well-prepared. This means removing any weeds or debris, and breaking up the soil to create a smooth, level surface.
- Lay the turf either the same day it’s delivered or the following day. The sooner you lay it, the better. Waiting a day won’t harm it much.
- If you have any bare patches in your lawn, spring is a great time to overseed them before laying new turf. This will help fill in any gaps and create a fuller, more even lawn. You might want to pair this with Westland Multi-Purpose Compost to promote better seed germination and growth during the overseeding process.
- If the weather is particularly dry in the spring, make sure to water the soil thoroughly a few days before laying the turf. This will help the turf establish its roots more easily.
- If you’re laying turf in an area that gets a lot of foot traffic, consider choosing a more durable variety of turf, such as TopTurf’s Lawn Turf or Premium Turf.
Summer
Summer is the season of sunshine and warm weather, but it can also be a challenging time to lay turf due to the heat and dry conditions. If you’re planning to lay your turf in the summer months, you need to be extra vigilant to ensure it thrives.
While summer may not be the most ideal season for laying turf, it can definitely be done. Don’t worry too much, just remember that it will need a bit more care and attention than usual. With these tips, your turf will be able to root properly and thrive:
- Lay the turf as soon as possible on the same day it’s delivered. If an early delivery time is available, take advantage of it so you have plenty of time to lay it on the same day.
- If you can’t lay the turf on the same day, remove the film from the pallet to prevent the turf from overheating. If possible, unravel the rolls and water them if they look dry to help keep them fresh.
- If the turf loses some colour, don’t worry! It just missed the sun while being rolled up. Once it’s laid and well-watered, it will soon green up again.
- Water the turf well every evening for the first couple of weeks with a hosepipe or sprinkler, giving it a good soaking! Following this, water more occasionally as needed.
We recommend Westland SafeLawn Liquid Feed as the perfect Summer turfing fertiliser!
Autumn
Autumn is a wonderful time of year to lay turf as the weather begins to cool down, making it an ideal time for new grass growth. While the temperatures are not as warm as in the summer, the soil is still relatively warm from the summer months, which is beneficial for root development.
When laying turf in autumn, it’s important to remember to schedule the delivery for a time when you will be available to lay it as soon as possible. The turf should be ideally laid on the same day as delivery or the following day at the latest, to ensure that it remains fresh and healthy.
- Lay the turf the same day it’s delivered or the following day at the latest.
- Once laid, give it a good watering and continue to water it for the next couple of weeks, unless the rain does it for you.
- Take advantage of the cooler temperatures to do some weeding and fertilising before laying the turf. Use Westland Multi-Purpose Compost for a slower release.
- Rake the soil to create a smooth surface and remove any debris that may have accumulated over the summer.
- Consider using a starter fertiliser (such as Westland Liquid Lawn Feed) to help the turf establish roots more quickly.
- Avoid walking on the turf until it’s well-established to prevent damage.
Winter
Laying turf in winter may seem like an odd idea, but it’s actually a great time to do it.
With lower temperatures and less sun, the turf will take longer to root, but it’s still perfectly feasible. Plus, you might be able to take advantage of some sales or discounts during the off-season.
Check out TopTurf’s store to see if there any sales or discounts happening.
However, there are some things to keep in mind when laying turf in the winter months. Read on to learn more.
- Avoid laying turf during periods of freezing temperatures or when the ground is frozen.
- Make sure the soil is not waterlogged before laying the turf, as this can lead to root rot.
- Keep the turf well-watered, but avoid overwatering as this can lead to fungal diseases.
- Use frost covers or straw to protect the turf from extreme cold temperatures and frost.
- Be patient as the turf will take longer to root and establish in winter, but with proper care, it will eventually thrive. Start with a strong base using Lawn Turf or Premium Turf.
Get That Turf Laid Out
Remember, by following our steps above, you can lay turf whenever it fits best with you. Spring and Autumn are probably the easiest times of year to lay it when the temperature is mild and the occasional rain shower will even help with the watering. But don’t let that put you off. With the right care, lawns will thrive just as well