How to Lay a Turf Lawn

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If you’ve ever envied your neighbor's lush green lawn, you might be thinking about laying down some turf in your yard. Turf is an easy way to replace a patchy lawn with bright, even grass, but only if you do it the right way. By cleaning up your old lawn, adding some fertilizer, and rolling out the new turf properly, you can have a brand-new looking lawn in no time.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Getting the Lawn Ready

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  1. Fall and spring are the best seasons for turf to root into the ground because of all the rain. Winter can be too cold and summer can be too dry for turf to root. [1]
    • If you wish to put down turf in the summer, or your area does not get enough rainfall in fall and spring, install a watering system or use a hose and sprinkler to make sure your turf gets enough water.
    • If you are installing turf in the fall, lay it down early enough so that it is well established and rooted at least 6 weeks before the first hard freeze of winter.
    • Artificial turf is more expensive than real sod up front, but it doesn't need real maintenance afterwards, and often has a warranty of about 16 years. [2]
  2. Pull up any weeds or stones you come across. Use a spade or shovel to make clearing out the old lawn easier. [3]
    • If the lawn has a lot of weeds, spray it with a weed killer and wait about 48 hours for the weeds to die so they’re easier to remove. [4]
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  3. Buy a soil testing kit from your garden center or nursery and test a few samples from different parts of your yard. Test your soil a few months in advance of when you plan to lay down the turf, because it may take some time for any necessary amendments to take effect.
    • Most turfgrass species prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.2. [5]
    • If your soil is too acidic (low pH), add some ground limestone to the soil. Garden lime can be bought in most garden supply stores.
    • If your soil is too alkaline (high pH), add garden sulfur or some type of acidic mulch, such as pine needles. [6]
    • Some soil testing kits also allow you to check your soil’s nutrient levels.
  4. Pour the topsoil over the lawn and distribute it evenly using a rake. Make sure you fill in holes and break up any mounds of dirt on the lawn. [7]
    • Topsoil is a surface soil that is high in nutrients. You can find bags of topsoil at your local garden center. [8]
  5. Walk across the lawn slowly and apply pressure with your feet, making sure every inch of the surface is packed. Rake across the surface of the soil again. [9]
    • To pack soil down more efficiently, rent or buy a water-weighted lawn roller from a garden center or home improvement store. Many models can be either pushed by hand or towed behind a tractor.
    • Adding turf will raise the level of your lawn by about 2 inches (5 cm), so pack your existing soil or turf down by at least that much.
  6. A granular fertilizer is just a non-liquid fertilizer. [10] You can find one at your local garden center. Sprinkle the granules of fertilizer across the lawn using your hands or a small hand-held spreader, making sure you don’t miss any spots. [11]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Putting down the Turf

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  1. Unroll the turf so the longest side of the turf is parallel with the longest edge of the lawn. Gently press the turf into the ground using your hands. [14]
  2. The short edge of the second turf patch should be closely butted up against the short edge of the first turf. Use your hands to push the 2 edges together. You can also lift the 2 edges and gently roll them together from one end to the other like a zipper. Make sure there’s no gap left between the 2 patches. [15]
  3. If you reach the edge and there’s extra turf on the patch you’re unrolling, carefully use a sharp knife to cut it down to size. [16]
  4. Unroll them so they’re parallel to the first row. The long edges of the turf in each row should be closely butted together so there are no gaps.
  5. To stagger the turf, unroll each patch and cut it in half with a carpet knife. Lay the patches in one row so that the middle of the patches line up with the seams in the row next to it. [17]
  6. Continue laying rows of turf across the lawn until it’s all covered. Use the back side of a rake to firmly pack down each row of turf so they settle into place. [18] You can also use a hand tamper or a water-weighted lawn roller to pack down the turf.
  7. You want the water to absorb into the soil underneath the turf. Water your new turf until it begins to puddle, then let the water soak in. If you water the turf too much, it may cause the turf to separate from the soil beneath it, preventing the turf from rooting properly. Over-watering can also kill the grass by causing cause air pockets to form under the turf.
  8. Walking on the turf prematurely may disrupt the rooting process. [20]
    • To test if the new turf has rooted, grab the surface of the turf and gently try pulling it upward. If the turf lifts up, it hasn’t rooted yet. [21]
  9. Make sure the lawn is completely dry before you start mowing it. Avoid cutting the blades of the turf too short or the roots won’t grow properly. Use a sharp, defect-free blade, and set the mower for at least half or full height for the first mow (and also when you mow during the hottest part of the summer). You should aim to cut off 1/3rd of the height of your lawn each time you mow. [22]
    • Look online or ask someone at your local garden center what the recommended height is for your turf type. After your mow it the first time, let your lawn grow to be 1 and 1/2 times higher than the recommended height before you mow it again. [23]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What should you put down before laying turf?
    Benjamin Hansen
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.
    Benjamin Hansen
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Expert Answer
    If we're talking about synthetic turf, you'll want to first excavate down around seven, eight inches. Then backfill the space with about five inches of compacted granite-based road base, which will stabilize the region and kill any dormant weeds. The second layer should be about three inches of stabilized decomposed granite. Water this then let it cure for three days. After that, you can nail in your artificial turf.
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  • Question
    Can sand be used as a base instead of topsoil?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Yes, as long as it isn't more than a few inches deep and of a loose, non compacting type.
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  • Question
    Will I need a roller to level and flatten the turf?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Yes, it works best and can easily be rented at a local tool or home improvement center.
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      Tips

      • Try to lay down turf the same day it’s delivered. If you can't, unroll the turf and water it so it stays fresh. [24]
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      • Turf on the pallet is very heavy and difficult to move. You will probably have to arrange to have it delivered. Check with your garden center about delivery and pallet return fees.
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      • Use a wooden plank to walk across turf you’ve already put down so you don't damage it with your feet. If you must walk on the turf, wear flat-soled shoes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-lay-lawn-turf/
      2. ↑ Benjamin Hansen. Licensed Landscape Contractor. Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml
      4. ↑ https://npic.orst.edu/capro/whentoplant.html
      5. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/liming-turfgrass-areas
      6. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a20705628/what-to-do-if-your-soil-is-too-alkaline/
      7. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-lay-lawn-turf/
      8. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=375
      9. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml
      1. ↑ https://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/pros_and_cons_of_granular_and_liquid_fertilizers
      2. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml
      3. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/SITEPREP/strtfert.html
      4. ↑ Benjamin Hansen. Licensed Landscape Contractor. Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=261
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=292
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=409
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=341
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=454
      10. ↑ Benjamin Hansen. Licensed Landscape Contractor. Expert Interview. 6 October 2020.
      11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=523
      12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL9WvBWs73I&feature=youtu.be&t=523
      13. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/ESTABLISH/mowing.html
      14. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/ESTABLISH/mowing.html
      15. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To lay a turf lawn, start on a spring or fall day, when it’s easiest for turf to take root in the ground, by unrolling the first patch of turf at the farthest edge of your lawn. Unroll it so the longest side of the turf is parallel with the longest edge of your lawn, and press it into the ground with your hands as you go. Once you’ve got the first patch in, continue rolling additional patches in the same way, making sure there’s no gap between them. When the entire lawn is covered, use the back of a rake to pack down each row before you water your new lawn. For tips from our Landscaping reviewer on how to remove old grass and level your lawn before you lay turf, read on!

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