How to lay turf

Inspired by a helpful YouTube guide. This walk-through is based on the popular "How to Lay Turf" video from the Wickes channel. It covers the full process from ground preparation to aftercare, and the section on staggering the joints and firming down is worth paying attention to — those two steps alone make a big difference to the finished result.

1. Prepare the soil properly — this is the important bit

Dig over the area to a depth of about 15 cm and break up any large clumps. Remove stones, old roots, weeds, and debris as you go. Turf laid on compacted, weedy, or stony ground will struggle to root and will show it within a season.

If the soil is very heavy clay (common in parts of East Kent), working in some sharp sand and topsoil improves drainage and gives the turf roots something easier to grow into. If it is very sandy and free-draining, adding some topsoil or a turf dressing before laying helps the ground hold moisture during dry spells.

2. Level the surface and firm it down

Rake the soil level and then firm it down by treading carefully over the whole area with your weight on your heels, overlapping each step slightly. This removes air pockets that would cause the turf to sink unevenly after it is laid.

Rake again lightly after treading to leave a fine, crumbly surface for the turf to sit against. The finished level should be around 25 to 30 mm below any surrounding hard surfaces — paths, patios, or borders — so that the turf sits flush once it has settled.

3. Order the right amount of turf and lay it the same day it arrives

Measure the area accurately, add about ten per cent to account for cutting and waste, and order accordingly. Fresh turf is a perishable product. It should be laid the day it is delivered — or the next morning at the very latest. Left rolled up in warm weather, it heats up in the middle of the roll and starts to deteriorate quickly.

If there is a delay of any kind, unroll the turf in a shaded area and water it lightly to keep it alive. Do not leave it rolled up in the sun.

4. Start along a straight edge

Begin laying along a path, wall, or border — any straight, firm edge. Unroll the first row carefully, pressing the turf down flat as you go. Avoid stretching it to reach — if a roll falls slightly short, trim the edge rather than pulling it thin.

Lay a plank of wood on top of the first row to kneel on as you work outward across the area. This distributes your weight and avoids leaving footprint impressions in the fresh turf. Never walk directly on newly laid turf if you can help it.

5. Stagger the joints like brickwork

Each new row should be offset by half a roll so that the joints do not line up across the whole area. This is the same principle as bricklaying and it prevents long straight lines appearing in the finished lawn as the turf roots and settles.

Butt the ends and edges of each roll firmly together. Gaps between rolls dry out quickly and leave visible lines of dead grass. Where you need to cut a roll to fit around a curve or a corner, use a sharp spade or a long-bladed knife.

6. Firm the turf down and brush in top-dressing if needed

Once all the turf is laid, go over the whole area with the back of a rake or a lawn roller to press it firmly against the soil surface beneath. Good contact between the underside of the turf and the soil is essential for rooting — gaps mean dry patches and dead spots later on.

If there are any slight hollows or uneven joints, lightly brush in a thin layer of fine topsoil or turf dressing. This fills gaps and encourages the turf to knit together smoothly.

7. Water immediately and keep it damp for the first few weeks

Water the turf thoroughly straight after laying, soaking it right through to the soil below. In warm or dry conditions, water every day or two for the first two to three weeks while the roots are establishing. Newly laid turf that dries out during rooting rarely recovers fully.

Avoid mowing for the first three to four weeks, or until the turf feels firmly rooted — tug gently on a corner to check. When you do first cut it, set the mower high and only take the top third off. Never scalp a new lawn in the first season.

When to call a handyman

Call Richard if the area is large, the ground needs heavy work to prepare, or you would rather have it done properly in a day. The Sandwich Handyman can help with garden clearance, ground preparation, turf laying, and general garden maintenance across Sandwich and nearby East Kent villages.