When to Lay Turf

One of the most common questions we receive at Buy Turf is when should I lay my turf? If you are planning on undertaking any gardening projects such as laying fresh turf, you can be forgiven for thinking that you need to wait until spring time, this however is not the case! Turf can be laid at almost any time of year and yield incredible results. In this blog we will discuss the pros and cons of starting your turf project in each season of the year.

Laying Turf in Spring:

Spring is the most popular choice, with the days beginning to get longer and milder temperatures starting to appear. If you want your new lawn ready to use by the summer, laying turf in the spring time is a great idea.

Pros:
The mild weather during the spring time make it less likely that the rolls will overheat or roots become too hot and potentially damage your lawn. The typical spring showers also help to bed in the new lawn and reduce the amount of watering you need to do each evening.

Cons:
Grass grows quickest in the spring & summer so you will be doing plenty of mowing!

Laying in Summer:

Summer is a popular time of year to lay turf. Longer days and warmer conditions make getting outdoors a pleasure. Some rainy days during this period and higher temperatures are the perfect growing conditions with lawns needing to be cut 1-2 times a week.

Pros:
The summer is the best time to be out in the garden and soak up the sun. The summer conditions can be perfect to get your lawn of to a great start.

Cons:
The heat can cause the roots of your lawn to dry out quicker than you expect and so watering frequently is essential. Lack of water will cause discolouration throughout the lawn but it can be brought back over time. The best time to water is in the morning or late afternoon to ensure that the water does not evaporate before it gets a chance to soak into the ground.

Laying Turf in Autumn:

Autumn is not an unusual time to lay turf either. As the temperatures begin to cool down the roots will endeavour to spread downwards, developing a strong root system where they are less susceptible to damage from frost.

Pros:
Cooler temperatures make it easier to prevent your turf drying out and you will have less mowing to do in the coming weeks.

Cons:
You may have to wait until your lawn is fully knitted in before raking up any fallen leaves.

Laying Turf in Winter:

Laying turf in the winter may cause some raised eyebrows but it can be done, providing that the ground is not frozen, covered with snow, or waterlogged. Check the soil conditions before starting by testing if it can be raked finely, this will tell you if the ground is suitable for the new turf.

Pros:
The lower temperatures can cause the garden to become dormant so there won’t be much mowing or other garden work to do for a while.

Cons:
Your turf will grow much slower during the winter and so ensuring the roots don’t dry out without subjecting them to frost can be difficult with our Great British weather.

Ready to Start Your Project?

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