How to Prepare, Lay and Care for your Oakley Turf

Take a look at our guide to preparing, laying and aftercare of your new Oakley Turf  lawn:

1. WHEN TO ORDER

You should only order your turf when you are ready to lay it. Be sure that you have carried out all soil preparations necessary before your turf arrives. This is so that you can avoid having you turf being left rolled up for any longer than is necessary. On delivery stack the rolls in a cool position out of the sun. For best results you should have your turf delivered either on the day or the day before you lay it.

2. PREPARING SOIL

Firstly you will need to dig over the site either by hand or use a Rotavator to break up the soil and any big lumps. If the soil is in a very bad condition or you need to significantly raise the level you may need to add some topsoil. It’s important for turf to be laid on an even surface, so consolidate the soil. You can do this by using a light roll or alternatively by walking up and down heavily on the heel of your shoe, then again from side to side, covering the entire area.

Use a wide rake to produce a fine surface tilth to the soil. Check that the surface is even across the whole site, with no bumps or hollows. Use a plank of wood to check this.

Turf won’t root into dry, hard soil, so water the entire garden if the weather is dry. A fine nozzle attached to the hose makes this easier.

Note that preparing the soil properly is a crucial part of the process!

3. TURF LAYING GUIDE

Starting along one edge, slowly unroll the first roll of turf, setting the edge exactly. Once unrolled, tamp down firmly with the back of a rake to settle the roots into the soil. You can also use planks of wood to help tamp down the turf. It is important that you do this well as it will help the turf to root into the soil.

Continue unrolling the Oakley Turf, butting each length of turf tightly up against the previous one. Use the teeth of the rake to pull or push the turf into position before firmly tamping it down.

Continue until the entire area is covered with Oakley Turf. Ensure that rolls of turf are laid in a pattern like bricks, so joins don’t all fall in line, but are offset against one another. This is easily done by starting every other line with a half roll.

Oakley Turf can be run beyond the edge of the lawn, then cut back to create a pristine line. Use a straight-edged board and edging iron to trim it, pushing down to ensure a clean cut. Fill any gaps with off-cuts.

4. CARING AND MAINTAINING YOUR NEW LAWN

To care and maintain your newly laid lawn, follow the steps below.

1. Once all the turf has been laid the most important thing to do is to set up a sprinkler.  For a new lawn to develop properly, it is essential that it is watered regularly. Ensure you keep your Oakley Turf well-watered during the first four weeks to promote a healthy green lawn.
2. Try  not to walk on your newly laid Oakley Turf, for at least 14 days or until it has rooted down into the soil. Walk on boards if necessary.
3. Give the grass frequent trims once it starts growing, using a light mower, such as a hover mower, rather than a heavy model. Keep the blades set high to start with, never cutting too short, and collect all the clippings.

Top Tip – We would suggest not putting garden furniture or anything heavy on your newly laid lawn for the first 6 weeks.  After this time once you have placed your outside furniture on your new lawn make sure you move it once a week, so not to damage the turf underneath.  This is a practice we all should all carry out when we place any temporary objects  on our lawns.

5. ENJOY YOUR NEW LAWN!

Don’t hesitate to contact us at turf@oakleyturf.com or by phone at 01255 886096 for any inquiries you may have before or after placing your order. We’re always happy to help and answer any questions you may have.