It's Turfing Time!

It is worth spending time on the soil preparation because you cannot go back to it once the turf has been established. Taking that little extra time at this stage can save hours to weeks of work in renovation at a later date.

• Always dig over or, preferably, deep rotavate the area to be turfed. If the top soil is not the best quality, or of insufficient volume, Country Supplies can provide Grade A Top Soil to add to existing. It is best to use screened loam as there will be no stones or clods which will make the raking out job much easier.
• It is important that the prepared site is free from weeds, seeds, stones, clods or any other debris. Hard, lumpy objects can prevent simultaneous rooting and it is most important that the grass takes evenly, as stressed plants can be overtaken by weeds or weed grasses or even die completely if deprived of contact with the base soil.
• Once you have created a smooth, consolidated surface to the desired contours, we would recommend application of a preturfing fertiliser, which we are able to supply if required. When this is done you are ready to receive your turf. This will be delivered in square metre rolls.

Laying Your New Country Supplies Lawn

At Country Supplies, each load is harvested to order. The tools you will require to lay your lawn are a shallow tine rake, scaffold planks, a sharp knife and an edging iron.

Place the rolls of turf in a convenient position for laying. Using your rake, just break the surface of the soil to form a tilth, pulling the rake towards you. Position your first row of turves, making sure that the ends are butted very close together. Use your sharp knife to shape the ends and conserve off-cuts for patching in.

When the first row is laid, place the scaffold plank on top. This will do three jobs:

• Act as a straight edge for your next row.
• Avoid indentations made by walking on the newly laid turf.
• Evenly distribute the compression weight for good soil to turf contact.

 Rake the next area to receive turf, using the same pressure and direction on the rake. When starting the next row, start half a turf in to stagger the joints to prevent long gaps if shrinking occurs. When the line is complete, move the planks on to it and carry on in this way until the lawn is complete.
Start watering in as soon as possible, preferably within an hour of laying. In dry conditions, water morning and evening until well rooted and thereafter as grass indicates requirements.