Laying turf gives you an instant lawn, but you'll need the right conditions and timing for a great lawn. So, when is the best time to lay turf?
Lawns are a staple of our gardens and public spaces. Britons love them. We use them for sunbathing, sports, games, picnicking, and so much more. But they can cause plenty of frustration, too.
Growing and maintaining a vibrant, deep-green lawn can be challenging. This is partly because local conditions (weather and soil make-up, for example) can throw up issues. But it’s also down to when people lay turf or sow lawn seed in the first place.
You’ve probably heard that autumn is a good time for laying turf, but does that ring true? Let’s find out.
We want you to lay a lawn that stays happy and healthy for years to come. To that end, we've spoken to Philip Clayton for turf laying advice.
Philip is a plantsman, gardener, author and freelance garden writer with a plant-filled garden in Peterborough.
A member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Group, he spent 20 years at The Garden (the RHS magazine), latterly as Deputy Editor.
Prior to this, he worked as a landscaper, a role which followed practical training at RHS Garden Wisley, in Surrey. He also has a BSc Hons in Horticulture from Wye College in Kent.
His books include A Plant For Every Day Of The Year (2022), Grow: Roses (2024) and Parched (2024). He also currently works as gardener at The Manor Hemingford Grey, near Huntingdon.
With that industry expertise, Philip is the perfect person to help you understand when and how to lay a lawn.
Before laying any turf, you should prepare the soil properly. This might mean clearing weeds, breaking up and tilling the soil, and making sure there’s a level surface. This gives your turf the best possible contact with the soil.
Once you’ve prepared the ground, take rolls of pre-grown grass and set them out on the soil’s surface. When you do this at the proper time, the turf should take root without much encouragement.
Depending on the weather and time of year, you might need to water the lawn. It shouldn’t take long to set, but you should still wait at least three weeks before using it properly.
For more detailed instructions, read our guide on how to lay turf.
Technically, you can lay turf at any time during the year, as long as the weather is suitable. But there are times when things are much more likely to go well.
Not all experts agree, but most professionals suggest laying turf in early or mid-autumn (that’s roughly September and October). Why is that? The are several reasons.
During this period, temperatures are cooler than in spring (and certainly summer!) but there’s still no risk of frost. When it gets too hot and dry, or too chilly, any chance of growth evaporates.
Explaining, Philip says “A dry spring makes the establishment of turf more challenging; it requires more water, for a longer period than is needed during autumn.”
There’s also more rain, meaning your newly laid turf will get a good drink, but not so much rain that your garden is likely to get waterlogged.
Some people recommend early or mid-spring as an alternative, but that period might not be the best option. As summer approaches, hot weather takes over, and this means you’ll have to water your lawn more frequently – a costly inconvenience!
Grass grows quite quickly during this period, too. You’ll feel tempted to get out your lawn mower, but grass cutting can cause problems. In autumn, it grows more slowly, so this is less of an issue.
For all these reasons, laying turf in autumn is the best choice. It's also the ideal time to prepare your lawn for winter. To get your grass ready, check out our guide to autumn lawn care in 7 steps.
If you don’t have any experience with laying turf or lawn care, it’s easy to get things wrong. Here are a few common mistakes you should avoid.
1. Skipping (or rushing) preparation
Preparing your soil might feel like a tedious task, but it’s necessary.
For starters, if you don’t clear weeds and debris away, your turf will grow unevenly and infected with unwanted plants.
In some cases, like when your soil is really compact, digging up and turning over the soil might be required. This will allow roots to spread out more evenly, boosting nutrient uptake.
After that, you'll need to rake, firm up (using either a garden roller or by treading lightly on foot), and level the lawn repeatedly. These actions will give you an even, consistent surface that helps a lawn settle.
Once you've prepared the soil, give it at least a week to settle before you think about laying the turf. By preparing the ground properly, you’re giving your turf the best chance of not only surviving but flourishing.
2. Forgetting about fertiliser
If it looks like your grass is struggling with taking root, it might be that you forgot about fertilising the soil before the turf was laid.
Fertilisers give the soil nutrients, and that helps the grass build up a healthy root system. When you miss this step, you undermine your lawn’s growth.
Not sure what to use? Try adding well-rotted manure to your soil. This not only provides valuable nutrients, but helps with water retention as well.
3. Mowing too quickly
As your newly laid turf begins to grow out, it might start to look a little bit messy. Some people think this means it’s safe to mow the lawn, but that’s not true.
Lawn mowing can not only disturb the turf, but it can actually pull the grass from its roots. Needless to say, this doesn’t help the health of your lawn!
Give your lawn around a month to establish itself before you consider mowing it. You can tug the shoots and see if the grass lifts. If it does, leave it alone for now and try again in a few days.
4. Overlapping rolls of turf
If you’re careless with how you lay turf, there might be areas where rolls overlap. That might not seem like a problem, but it is. Overlapping turf can easily lead to an uneven, patchy lawn.
Prepare by carefully measuring your outdoor space (measuring in square metres), and planning out where your rolls will go and how they’ll fit together.
When laying your turf, make sure the joints are staggered, with no spaces left between the rolls of turf. Any (small) gaps should be topdressed with soil that you've sifted.
5. Storing the turf too long
When they arrive, turf rolls often have a vibrant, healthy look about them. They’re actually quite delicate, so don’t be fooled.
If you take days and days to lay the turf, the grass could end up dying quickly, even if it still looks healthy.
Ideally, you should get straight down to laying turf, not waiting longer than a day before getting started. Two days might be fine, at a push, but that’s the limit.
6. Trampling the turf
It's crucial you don't put your new lawn under any unnecessary stress.
Emphasising the importance of being gentle, Philip explains that “When laying turf, you need to work from boards. The joints should be staggered and turfs butted up against each other, leaving no spaces.”
Place wooden boards or planks on top of the turf as you lay the turf and provide aftercare. The boards will more evenly distribute your weight, preventing damaging soil compaction.
Move the boards gradually as you lay each section of the turf, always making sure not to walk directly on the new grass.
7. Overwatering or underwatering
Your new lawn will need plenty of water once it's laid, but there's always a risk of overwatering if you're not careful.
Philip says “The edges always dry out first. So you’ll need to keep the lawn well watered – around once or twice a week and more often in the first few weeks.”
So, in the first couple of weeks, you will need to keep a close eye on your lawn and water a little more frequently, especially in hotter and drier weather.
This is less of a problem in the autumn, when rain should supplement your lawn with much-needed moisture.
After getting through the first couple of weeks, watering is required less often. Once or twice a week is usually enough, just make sure you continue to monitor your lawn's condition.
New lawns do need a good volume of water to establish well, but try not to overwater. Boggy conditions can cause as much damage as underwatering.
Laying turf can go wrong in many ways, especially if you lack experience. For an easier life, using a professional service might be the best call.
Landscapers can handle all the preparation and lay the turf for you. With their wealth of experience, you can expect a great outcome.
If you’re looking for help with lawn care and keeping your garden tidy, then gardening services might be a better choice.
Going it alone? Philip says that “If you’re doing it yourself, your turf should be laid within 24 hours of delivery. If that isn’t possible then you need to store it unrolled and keep it moist.”
Establishing a new lawn can be frustrating. It’s a mucky, laborious task, and following the proper steps is key if you want positive results. But it’s doable.
Remember, laying your turf in early or mid-autumn – September and October – gives your lawn the best chance of surviving and thriving. It’s possible during other months, but harder work.
Need a little help with turfing? Take a moment to read the latest lawn care tips, tricks, and hiring advice. Once you're feeling informed, you can choose from the best local landscaping services or post a free enquiry - the quickest way to get in touch with professionals.
