Can you lay new turf in winter?

Category: home and garden landscaping
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Turf can be laid throughout the year, Turf can even be laid during the winter. In fact, laying turf in winter has its advantages.



People also ask, how do you look after newly laid turf in the winter?

Watering winter turf Water turf immediately after laying and make sure the moisture has soaked through into the soil beneath. Check daily that turf isn't drying out (especially on windy days) and be vigilant until the roots have firmly bedded themselves into your soil. NEVER walk on frozen grass. You will kill it.

Subsequently, question is, how long does Turf take to root in winter? The answer is that the process takes about two weeks for shallow roots and up to six weeks to establish deep root growth. With proper preparation and care your sod will look beautiful and healthy from the start.

Likewise, people ask, can you lay turf any time of year?

Turf is best laid in mid-autumn, but can be laid any time between mid-autumn and late winter whenever the soil is not too wet or frosty. In spring and autumn little mowing is needed so newly-laid turf can be left relatively undisturbed for several weeks.

Can you put turf down in January?

Turf is slow to root in cold conditions. It won't need any looking after but you will have to keep off it for 6-8 weeks. If you do lay the turf in January, It will be well established by Spring and ready for family use. See January.

36 Related Question Answers Found

What happens if you walk on new turf?

Do ensure that your new turf is regularly watered to prevent the grass from being put under stress. Don't walk on your new turf until it has been properly rooted into the soil, this could take a several weeks. Dog urine can cause brown patches in your grass as well as causing it to burn.

Will Frost kill new turf?

The cold, frost and snow will not hurt or kill new turf it will lay dormant in severe cold and root and grow in the milder days in the winter.

How long can you leave rolled turf before laying?

Once turf has been cut and rolled, the shelf life is typically 24 hours. After this the turf will begin to deteriorate and die. However in the height of summer this figure can drop to less than half, giving your harvested turf 12 hours or less before it has to be unrolled and laid.

How do you prepare soil for turf?

How to prepare your soil for turfing
  1. Clear away any plants, weeds and debris.
  2. Dig or rotovate soil to at least 15cm deep.
  3. Improve soil texture or quality if necessary.
  4. Level the area.
  5. Firm the soil.
  6. Add pre-turfing fertiliser.
  7. Rake and level again.
  8. Lay your turf.

How often do you water new turf in winter?


Winter turf maintenance
Once the lawn is laid, you need to water it daily, so it doesn't dry out – this is as important in winter as it is in summer. Water the turf in the early morning or evening, just as in summer time. One way to gauge how much water is enough is to put an empty container on the lawn as you water.

How long should you water new turf for?

New turf may require watering twice a day for the first week, then 2-3 times a week, then, after 3-6 weeks, once a week. Once your turf is established, it is best to water it well before noon, so it will dry off before evening.

Can you over water new turf?

Paying attention to soil moisture levels and the condition of the turf is one way to avoid overwatering new sod. Generally, you should water new sod every day for the first three or four weeks, but if the weather's cold or it's been raining heavily, irrigating once a day may be giving the grass too much water.

Can you lay turf over grass?

The new grass never rooted. You can't simply lay sod on top of grass without doing proper preparation. “All sod must make soil contact to root,” she points out. “Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod.

Should you water soil before laying turf?

Water the soil
Your soil should be watered a day before your install your turf. If it dries out, water it again. As always, the aim is to have moist, not soggy, soil. Tip: In hot weather, it's important to lay turf on damp soil in order to avoid damaging the tender roots of your new grass.

Is it better to turf or seed?


It was much easier for weeds to invade the seeded lawn than when we used turf, given that there were a few bare patches. If you have a small area and a bit of money to spare, turf is the quickest and easiest option. For larger areas seed is much cheaper, but be prepared to wait before you can use your lawn.

How do you kill weeds before laying turf?

Chemical Method
  1. Spray a glyphosate herbicide over the weeds to kill them in five to seven days.
  2. Direct the nozzle over each weed and spray it to cover it evenly.
  3. Rake dead weeds from the soil and discard, or repeat application for tenacious weeds.

How do I look after newly laid turf?

Quick Care Tips for Newly Laid Turf
  1. As soon as your new lawn has been laid be sure to water it well.
  2. Water your new turf daily for the first two weeks or so.
  3. Avoid over-watering.
  4. Do not walk on your new turf until its roots have bedded into the soil.
  5. Wait a few weeks before mowing your new turf.

How do you properly lay turf?

Sprinkle a granular fertiliser over the soil and lightly rake into the soil and water well. Lay your first row along a straight edge, slowly unrolling turf to avoid damaging. Butt each piece up closely to the last and ensure good contact with the soil by tamping down firmly with the back of the rake.

Can you lay turf in July?

Laying Turf in Summer
It's hot work so drink plenty of water and protect yourself from the sun. In summer, it's wise to buy turf direct from the grower and have it delivered directly to you. That way you can be sure that it's uber-fresh. Have the soil prepared before your turf arrives.

How much should turfing cost?


How Much Does Garden Turf Cost? The average cost to supply, prepare and lay new garden turf is typically around £650-£750 for a 50 square metre garden. However, other factors can significantly add to the cost. A key one is the grade of turf you choose.

Can you lay turf in the rain?

It's fine to lay turf in just about any type of weather – just so long as you can prepare the ground properly. If you can work your soil into a nice friable consistency without making a soggy mess, then yes, it's OK to lay turf in the rain.

Will frost damage newly laid turf?

Is newly laid turf frost hardy? Frost will not normally damage turf. The fact that turf is unaffected by frozen conditions means even if your turf roll freezes it will keep for days or even weeks and once the frost has lifted can be laid as normal on to thawed ground.