Although this is a quick way to green gardens, you should prepare the ground for turf before laying sod. This type of lawn can grow best when the right soil conditions promote deep and rapid rooting. Buying high-quality turf alone is not enough if the soil quality is not right. In addition, good planning is important, with factors such as the size of the garden area and the use of the right tools being crucial. There are also some advantages and disadvantages to consider in order to achieve the best results. Below you will find step-by-step instructions and other useful information to make the work process easier.
Why prepare soil for turf and when to lay turf?
Timely soil preparation can save you not only a lot of time and money, but also additional effort. Typically, overseeding is a much easier and less expensive method than laying turf, but you will have to wait longer for results. If you don't mind paying more, the second option will give you a beautiful lawn in a fraction of the time. In contrast to sowing, this can be accessed after just a few weeks, which makes it ideal for families with active children. Laying new lawns made from rolled turf produces an immediately attractive result and can be used if the weather is suitableCarried out from autumn to early springbecome.
The best time to lay lawn in the garden is mid-autumn, when the soil is still warm but cool and wet. However, you can also lay turf almost all year round as long as the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. If you do this in spring or summer, regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods. Otherwise, laying the lawn itself is relatively quick, although it is important to take time to prepare the ground beforehand. It's best to allow a few weeks to prepare the ground surface before laying turf. The more effort you put into preparation, the better the end result will be. Here are some more advantages and disadvantages to consider when choosing turf.
Turf vs. overseeding
When it comes to cost, overseeding is far cheaper and far less labor-intensive than laying turf. The crucial factor here is time, although reseeding also requires about a month of diligent watering once or twice a day. In addition, germinating seeds can dry out easily and in just one day if it is hot and dry. There is also a risk of losing used fertilizers and seeds during heavy rains, especially if you are reseeding grass seeds on a sloping yard.
In addition, if you sow seeds, you may not be able to get truly lush and dense lawns for several months. However, many gardeners agree that a seeded lawn is superior to a turf once established. Depending on the size of the garden and the available budget, the soil conditions can also be easily adapted to the faster version. So if you're impatient and love the idea of an instant, perfect grass carpet, there's nothing better than freshly laid sod. After installation, moderate watering and routine lawn care are sufficient.
Before you prepare your ground for turf
Try not to skip steps to save time. What you skip could potentially mean more work in the long run. Unless you are pressed for time, you should ensure that all preparation steps are completed before the fresh sod is delivered to the location for laying. This means you will be able to lay them as quickly as possible, as such turf stays fresh for around 36 hours. It's best to try to draw a sketch of the garden area beforehand to avoid any complications during installation.
While you're at it, you can also prepare the corners of the cuts on the ground for turf by marking them. If you have an irregularly shaped lawn, adjust the rectangles as closely as possible to the shape of the lawn. Furthermore, you can measure and record the lengths and widths of all turf on your sketch by calculating the area of each rectangle: Length (meters) x Width (meters) = Area (square meters). You should also add up the areas of all rectangles. This should also be approximately the amount of turf you need, which you can plan for before ordering. Allow an additional 5% for shaping, cutting or excess.
How to prepare the garden soil for new lawn
To maintain a lush lawn, you should first test your soil and check if it is compacted. If the soil is compacted or clayey, you can use a tiller, spade or rakeDig up the soil surfaceand loosen up. The next step is to remove weeds and any buried stumps, rocks, twigs, or other debris that is more than 2 inches in diameter. You can then also use a roller to level the floor. Also make sure to place your first row of grass rolls against a straight edge, such as along a garden path, fence or patio. Otherwise you can follow the steps described below.
Follow simple steps and prepare soil for turf
If using a soil conditioner, you should let the soil sit for at least a week or two after digging. After the soil has settled, weed again to remove any new growthto eliminate weeds. Gently tread over the entire area to firm the soil, then rake in different directions to create a flat surface with a light, crumbly texture. You may need to repeat the pedaling and raking process a few times to get a flat surface. Finally, spread a lawn fertilizer at 70g/m² to get your soil ready for turf laying.
- Ideally, lay your turf within 24 hours of delivery. If storing the sod for a longer period of time, other than a day or two, you should roll it out and store it in a cool place to prevent the grass from yellowing or drying out.
- Start with the first row of turf along one edge of the area and then work your way outwards. Lay towards the non-turfed area to avoid depressions in the prepared garden area.
- It could make the work process easier if you place wooden boards on the newly laid lawn to create a walkway for further laying.
- If you are laying your turf on a slope, it is best to do so across the slope.
- The best way to lay the sections of turf is in a staggered pattern, as if you were arranging bricks for a wall.
- Make sure the edges of the lawn are close together and there are no gaps between them.
- Use a larger knife to cut off excess pieces of grass that you could use to fill any gaps later.
- You can then run a lawn roller over the newly laid lawn to remove any unevenness.
- Finally, water the finished turf thoroughly to promote rooting.
Lawn care tips after laying the lawn
AfterLaying the turfIt is very important to only step on it when necessary for about a week to make your investment worth it. You should also keep the lawn moist and avoid walking on it for the next 4-6 weeks. After this period, you can reduce watering to encourage deeper rooting of your new lawn. Because purchasing turf involves high transportation costs and heavy rolls of turf, it is important to consider the factors described above. The costs for this0 can vary, but are usually much higher than for seeds, which is actually the biggest disadvantage of rolled turf. Here are a few more lawn care tips that can help you avoid potential mistakes:
- Although new turf typically establishes quickly, you should be patient and watch for any signs of impaired growth.
- It is also important not to let the lawn dry out while the roots penetrate the soil. So water your lawn daily for the first two weeks if the weather is dry.
- You should also check that the water penetrates to the ground by lifting the turf at one corner. Once it is established and you can no longer lift the turf, weekly watering is sufficient in the dry summer months.
- After the lawn reaches a height of about 5 cm, you can mow the lawn at a high setting for the first grass cut.
