Why lay turf in the summer?
There are two main reasons for laying turf during the warmer months:

1. Your lawn is in dire need of a refresh!
Perhaps your lawn is more brown than green, has become patchy beyond repair, or has been wrecked by pests or disease. If it’s become an eyesore or even an unusable space, it can make sense to re-turf, particularly in the summer months if you’re planning outdoor events and social gatherings or simply want to enjoy relaxing in your garden.
2. Landscaping to a deadline
Professional landscapers often don’t have the luxury of choosing the season. Working to new build or renovation timescales means turfing whenever the project demands it. Summer may not be ideal, but it’s often unavoidable.
The key to successfully laying turf in summer requires taking into account the likelihood of higher temperatures and lower rainfall.

What to think about before laying summer turf
New turf can thrive in summer, but only if you take the right steps beforehand. Preparation is even more crucial in hot weather:

1. Soil preparation
Prepare the soil as you would at any other time of year:
a. clear old grass and weeds
b. dig over the soil to at least 15cm depth, and rake it level
c. it is very important to roll or firm the soil down before raking so the texture isn’t left ‘squashy’
d. Water the prepared ground thoroughly a day or two before turfing. This helps create a cooler, more welcoming environment for the new turf’s roots.
2. Timing is key
Avoid laying turf during the hottest part of the day otherwise the roots may dry out too quickly – and don’t lay in the morning then wait until the evening for the first watering. Ideally start watering the turf before you’ve finished laying, especially if it’s a large area: lay some rolls and begin watering while you continue laying. For smaller jobs you can just water once you’ve laid.
3. Shrewd ordering
Only order the amount of turf you can comfortably lay within a few hours. In hot conditions, stacked rolls of turf can quickly overheat and begin to degrade (link to relevant blog). If possible and practical, arrange for multiple smaller deliveries rather than one large one.
4. Be weather-aware
Always check the weather forecast before placing your turf order. While a bit of sunshine is fine, a looming heatwave is not the time to lay new turf. If there are overcast days or cooler spells on their way, it’s worth holding off until then, if you can. However, a sudden heavy downpour could lead to muddy, uneven laying conditions. The basic rule is to try to avoid extreme conditions, dry or wet.

Aftercare – water, water, water!
Watering is the most critical part of summer turfing. New turf needs moisture to settle in and start forming roots in the soil beneath. In summer, that means watering generously, usually for at least the first two weeks. Don’t water in the hottest part of the day, choose early morning or evening. Make sure the water reaches the soil beneath the turf, not just the surface.

Avoid walking on the new turf until it’s properly rooted. This generally takes 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the weather.

Our summers now bring the risk of hosepipe bans. The good news is that newly laid turf can be watered during a hosepipe ban. This is only up to 28 days after installation but that should be enough to give the turf time to form roots and gain strength.

Laying turf in summer isn’t the first choice, but it’s perfectly doable with the right planning and attention. Whether you’re replacing a tired lawn or working to a building schedule, the key to success is preparation, watering and watching the weather. Get those things right, and your summer lawn can thrive just as well as one laid in spring or autumn.

The short answer is yes! If you can, letting your lawn grow into June can offer even greater benefits for wildlife.

Why extend no mow?

During May, unmown lawns allow wildflowers like daisies, clover and buttercups to bloom, offering vital nectar for early-emerging bees and other insects. But for many species, including butterflies and moths, June is a critical month for feeding and breeding. Longer grass provides shelter, while flowering plants continue to offer food.

By extending No Mow May into No Mow June, you’re not just helping pollinators, you’re supporting a wider network of wildlife that relies on undisturbed grassland.

A balanced approach

Of course, not everyone wants a completely wild lawn. If you’re concerned about the look of your garden or worried about the health of your turf, you can take a mixed approach. Try mowing some paths through the grass or cutting back a small section while leaving the rest to flourish. This keeps your lawn accessible and neat while still providing valuable habitat.

Another option is to set aside a specific area of your lawn, even just a corner, as a long-grass zone for the summer. You’ll be surprised how quickly insects, birds and small mammals make it their home.

Will it harm the grass?

Temporarily stopping mowing won’t harm most turfgrass species. In fact, giving the lawn a break from regular cuts can actually strengthen root systems and improve resilience. Just be sure to raise the mower blades when you do finally cut; a drastic short mow after weeks of growth can stress the grass.

No Mow May is a great start but No Mow June takes it further. Whether you fully commit or go halfway, allowing your lawn to grow a little longer can be a simple, effective way to support biodiversity in your own back garden.

First impressions really do matter when it comes to new-build homes and developments. It’s not just the interior of a home that counts, a beautifully landscaped exterior can make all the difference in attracting buyers, boosting sales and adding value to a property.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to boost the appeal of a development is to choose high-quality turf.

For property developers and housebuilders, investing in high quality turf not only adds to the look of a development, but it can also be a strategic choice that heightens the overall desirability of a new home.  

1. More attractive to buyers

A new-build development is often a blank canvas. Quality landscaping and lush green lawns can really be the difference in making it feel like a potential home. Premium turf provides instant greenery, ensuring homes look finished and well-presented from the moment they hit the market – unlike bare soil or patchy grass seed which can create an incomplete appearance. Whether it’s a private garden, a communal green space or a show home exterior, high-quality turf enhances the visual appeal of the entire development.

2. Higher perceived value

It’s no secret that house buyers often prefer homes that have a ‘move-in ready’ feel. A lush, well-maintained lawn will add to that perception. Properties with well-laid turf may even sell faster because they require less immediate effort from the new homeowner.

Additionally, developments with front gardens and communal areas that have a consistent, well-kept appearance by their very nature create a sense of quality, which can encourage higher property values and stronger demand, particularly in competitive markets.

3. Reduced long-term maintenance and costs

Lower-quality turf may lead to ongoing problems such as poor drainage, weak root systems and rapid deterioration. Choosing quality turf that has been grown locally will help ensure a longer-lasting, healthier lawn. This reduces the likelihood of patchy, worn-out grass that needs replacing within a few years. For property developers, it can help with:

• Lower maintenance costs for show homes and communal areas.
• Less complaints from new homeowners about poorly performing lawns.
• Better long-term durability, avoiding the need for expensive replacements.

4. Sustainability

For developers aiming to meet sustainability targets, selecting a locally sourced, responsibly grown turf can contribute to greener building practices as well as offering aesthetic and practical benefits. Choosing a local supplier not only cuts down on delivery miles but also helps to support the local economy.

5. Choosing the right turf for your development

For housebuilders and developers in the South West, selecting the right turf supplier is key. High-quality turf should be:

• Grown to UK climate conditions, ensuring resilience and longevity.
• Suited to the site’s needs.
• Freshly harvested and properly laid by an experienced landscaper.

While turf might seem like a small detail in the world of property development, its impact is significant. A well-turfed landscape can help sell homes faster and provide long-term cost savings as well as contributing to a greener, more attractive environment.

For property developers looking to maximise the value of their projects, investing in high-quality turf is a simple decision.

HCT Turf consistently supplies local landscapers and garden services businesses with turf cultivated in Exeter on a sandy loam soil which enables us to offer this consistent grade all year round, almost regardless of weather conditions. Our seed mix produces a turf that combines a beautiful lawn with high wear tolerance and easy maintenance.