One of the main focal points to notice after the long winter months will be the condition of your lawn (See our lawn care tips for spring time). Or for those gardeners considering new projects it might be time to lay turf.

Is spring the best time to lay turf?

Turf is one of the most under-estimated aspects of any garden, and with spring fast approaching, most think this is the best (and only time) to lay turf. Yet turf can be laid any time of year. We think autumn is the optimal time, but laying turf in spring is absolutely fine and can transform any sized project instantly.

With the promise of lazy summer days, entertaining on the lawn, and perhaps a spot of croquet, gardens will need to look their best. For some, spring is therefore seen as the most convenient time to lay down a new lawn.

What are the advantages of laying turf in spring?

Conditions in spring time are very favourable. As you are working with nature, days are generally milder and longer, rainfall is gentle, providing appropriate irrigation and moisture for root growth to establish at a faster rate.

The temperature of the soil is warmer in spring, giving plants the ability to put down roots for immediate growth. The soil will also be much easier to work with.

If soil quality is poor it’s important to use a pre-turfing fertiliser before turf is laid. Your local garden centre will be able to recommend a suitable product.

The disadvantages of laying turf in spring

Turf laid in the spring will need extra watering, especially during extreme dry spells during the summer. Dry soil may stress the turf and delay rooting. For large areas make sure you have arranged irrigation or consider whether you can delay your turf project until the autumn. Small areas are easier to manage with a sprinkler.

There may be a shortage of turf during the spring months at garden centres as supplies run dry due to popularity. But don’t let that deter you, we are on hand to advise where and when you can find stocks of our turf, and of course we are here to supply too.

Care guide when laying turf

Turf provides an instant lawn effect but it is important to prepare the soil well before laying, as you would grass seed. (See our guide to preparing your soil for turf).

Don’t be tempted to mow your grass before it is fully rooted as this stresses turf and may delay rooting.

We advise you to lay turf on the day of delivery during the spring. If this is not possible, we recommend you unroll the turf in a holding area and water it regularly.

Do not under-water your newly laid turf, as this may result in shallow rooting. The water applied needs to be sufficient to penetrate and soak the soil underneath the turf in order to encourage the news roots downwards. There is no need to feed it for the first 3-6 months as it arrives fully fertilised.

In order for your new turf to settle in stay off it, ideally for at least 3-4 weeks, to enable it to establish and really set down its roots, so it can become a thing of beauty throughout the summer months and beyond.

Summary

• Conditions for laying turf in spring are favourable, warm and wet
• When laying turf in spring plan how you will keep it watered including for that first summer
• Do not mow or run around on the new turf for the first 3-4 weeks

We supply quality turf all year round. If you would like further advice on lawn care this spring or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

AT A GLANCE, TURF V’S SEED…

Laying new turf will give you that instant wow factor, it is both convenient and practical. And if you have an event or a date in mind that you want to achieve that ‘instant lawn’ look by, then turf is the very grass for the job. It’s not a martyr to the seasons and can be laid at any time, unlike seed.

Of course the expense and hard labour may not work in it’s favour but it depends entirely on your budget, muscle and whether you are in a hurry.

Naturally, turf will give you a much faster, completed and useable lawn just 2-4 weeks after laying. Whereas, the length of time it takes for seed to get established is dictated to by temperatures and hours of daylight, so it could take 2-4 months to achieve similar grass coverage. And it’s also worth considering the amount of time it takes to prepare the area for both options, but seed beds will require more labour prior to sowing.

Turf has the added convenience of being able to be laid at any time of year, as long as the ground is not frozen. Seed has a much smaller window of opportunity, with ideal sowing times March – May or September and October.

If budget is the driving factor and time is not an issue, then seeding is the cheaper way to go, especially if you are intending on doing all the work yourself. (Do consider any labour costs if you are paying someone else to do it for you).

It’s also worth considering risk factors when looking at the two options. There are more potential problems with sowing seeds, than there are laying turf (as the turf is already established) whereas the seeds have to go through many stages of development and have to contend with extreme weather conditions (torrential rain can wash away the seed and lack of sun can mean the seeds just won’t establish). 

However, it’s possible to use a mixture of turf and seed successfully, especially if the area has more diverse location or soil issues. 

In broad terms, you might turf:

• The areas to be used soon and heavily
• Areas which would be harder to grow seed on such as shady, steep and poorer soil quality

And seed:

• Areas not being used as much and further from the house, especially if not visible from windows and seating areas
• At the best time of year to get the fastest growth (spring and early autumn) – turf is fine to install all year round for instant lawn

There are many factors to consider and each garden project is unique. If you have further questions on whether to choose turf or seed for your garden, we would be more than happy to advise.  Please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com

When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it can inhibit the flow of air, water and nutrients that support thicker, healthier turf growth. Even a thin layer of compacted soil (just 5-10mm) can affect the health and beauty of your lawn.

If you think your turf is compacted, maybe it looks stressed? Or is hard to the touch? Or do you have rain puddles in your lawn? do the screwdriver test. Simply use a regular screwdriver, insert it into your lawn by hand. If it doesn’t slide in fairly easily and it meets some resistance, your soil is likely to be compacted.

Why you should aerate your lawn?

1. Aeration improves soil water uptake
2. It helps the roots obtain more oxygen
3. It helps fertilizer to penetrate into the turf
4. It reduces water runoff and puddling on your lawn
5. Aeration promotes stronger turf grass roots
6. It helps to reduce soil compaction
7. Aeration helps improve heat and drought stress tolerance
8. It helps breakdown thatch

How to aerate your lawn.

Aerating is best done when your soil is damp, from either irrigation or rainfall the day before. Overly dry soil can be really tough; however, don’t aerate an overly wet lawn either.

There are three main type of equipment that can be used, from small manual pieces to larger tractor-like machines

Spike aerators. These simply poke a hole down into the soil with a solid spike. The easiest ones to use are aerator “sandals” which you strap to your shoe, and simply walk across your lawn. These are great for homeowners and small areas.

Slicing aerators. These have rotating blades that cut or slice through grass and thatch and down into soil. Like spike aerators, slicing aerators leave soil in the ground, but they create pathways for air, water and nutrients without causing more compaction.

Core or plug aerators. These are typically preferred by lawn professionals. They use rows of hollow spikes that remove plugs of soil from the turf and deposit them on top, where they break down. The size of the plugs and the holes they create vary in width and depth, depending on the machine used.

Many local gardening services can do the job for you, or you can rent equipment from your local hire shop. A lot like mowing, you work back and forth across your lawn, concentrating on problem areas, like pet runs.

We supply quality turf all year round. If you would like any further advice on seasonal lawn care or would like to talk to us about your order, please contact us on 01392 231040 or email sales@wesellturf.com