Laying a new lawn using turf, also known as sod, offers a fast and effective way to achieve a dense, established green space in your backyard. Turf consists of pre-grown grass harvested in rolls or squares, complete with a shallow layer of roots and soil. This method bypasses the lengthy germination period associated with planting grass seed, providing an instant visual transformation. Success depends heavily on meticulous preparation and precise aftercare, ensuring the grass quickly roots into the underlying ground.
Preparing the Ground
Thorough soil preparation begins with completely clearing the area of all existing vegetation, including old grass, weeds, and debris like rocks or construction rubble. Systemic non-selective herbicides can be used to kill off tenacious weeds, but a waiting period of up to three weeks is necessary before digging begins.
Once the surface is clear, the ground must be loosened by digging or rotovating the soil to a depth of at least 15 centimeters (about six inches). This alleviates compaction and allows new turf roots to easily penetrate the existing earth. Any stones larger than a matchbox should be removed during this tilling process, as they can create hard spots that impede root growth.
Soil quality should be assessed and amended to ensure optimal growth conditions, especially if the existing soil is heavy clay or very sandy. For poor soil, incorporating organic matter like compost or spreading a layer of quality turf underlay mix, typically a sandy loam, is highly beneficial.
Finally, the area requires rough grading to ensure proper drainage, maintaining a slight slope away from any structures to prevent water pooling. After amendments are incorporated, the soil surface should be raked smooth, achieving a fine, crumbly texture. The prepared surface should then be lightly firmed, perhaps by walking over it or using a light roller, so that footprints leave only a slight impression, creating a stable seedbed for the incoming turf.
Ordering and Laying the Turf
Accurate measurement requires calculating the square footage of the area to determine the quantity of turf rolls needed. Order an extra five to ten percent beyond the exact measurement to account for necessary cuts and waste. Timing the delivery is important, as turf is perishable and must be laid on the prepared soil within 24 hours of harvest, especially in warmer weather, to prevent drying out or overheating.
Begin installation immediately upon delivery, starting along the longest, straightest edge, such as a driveway or patio. Unroll the first strip slowly and carefully, ensuring it is flat and in firm contact with the prepared soil. To avoid creating depressions, stand and work from a piece of plywood or a scaffold board placed over the rolls, distributing your weight evenly.
The subsequent rows must be laid in a staggered pattern, similar to how bricks are laid in a wall, so the end seams of adjacent rows do not line up. Staggering the joints prevents long, continuous seams which are prone to drying out and lifting, promoting a more stable appearance as the roots establish. Each roll should be pushed tightly against the previous one, ensuring the seams butt up firmly without overlapping.
Use a sharp utility knife or a spade to trim the turf around curves, beds, and walkways, ensuring the edges fit snugly against surrounding surfaces. Any small gaps between rolls can be filled with a light dusting of topsoil or sandy loam, which helps seal the edges and prevents them from drying out. Avoid walking directly on the turf until the immediate care phase is complete.
Critical Immediate Care
The most important action immediately following installation is a deep, saturating watering, completed within 30 minutes of the last roll being laid. This initial soak must saturate the turf and the prepared soil beneath it to a depth of at least four to six inches. Ensuring the soil underneath is thoroughly wet is necessary, as this moisture reserve is what the delicate root system will rely on for survival and initial growth.
For the first seven to ten days, the turf requires frequent moisture to encourage the formation of new root structures. This involves watering multiple times per day with short applications, keeping the surface and the top inch of soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Adjust the frequency based on weather conditions, watering more often during hot, sunny, or windy periods.
Once the area is laid and saturated, lightly rolling or tamping the turf with a water-filled roller or a piece of wood ensures maximum contact between the back of the sod and the prepared soil. This step eliminates air pockets that can cause sections of the turf to dry out and die, promoting the fastest possible integration of the new roots. To confirm successful rooting, gently lift a corner of a turf piece after about ten days; if it resists pulling up, white root growth is underway.
During this establishment period, all foot traffic and heavy activity must be avoided to prevent shifting the rolls or compacting the soil. Allowing the roots to grow undisturbed is important to the lawn’s long-term health and stability.
Establishing Long-Term Health
After the initial two weeks of frequent watering, the focus shifts to encouraging the roots to grow deeper into the subsoil by modifying the watering schedule. The transition involves reducing the frequency of watering while significantly increasing the duration of each session. Instead of multiple short soaks, the lawn should now receive less frequent, deeper waterings, perhaps once a day or every other day, depending on the climate.
The first mowing can generally take place about two to three weeks after installation, once the turf has firmly rooted and the grass blades have reached a height of around three to four inches. Ensure your mower blades are sharp to provide a clean slice rather than tearing the tender new grass, which can lead to stress and disease. Set the mower to its highest setting for this initial mowing, removing no more than one-third of the blade height to minimize stress on the developing root system.
Once the turf is fully established, typically around four to six weeks, the watering regimen should transition to a long-term maintenance schedule of deep, infrequent irrigation, usually once or twice a week. This practice encourages the turf to develop a robust, drought-tolerant root system. A starter fertilizer, high in phosphorus to stimulate root growth, can be applied around one month after planting.