Can You Lay Turf in Autumn?

At George Davies Turf & Stone, we’ve supplied thousands of rolls of fresh turf to homeowners and landscapers across the UK, throughout the year. One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that autumn is too late to lay turf. In our opinion, autumn is one of the best times of the year to lay turf!

In this article, we explain why autumn is a good time to lay turf, the benefits of autumn turf laying and how you can achieve the perfect lawn by laying turf before winter sets in.

Content Overview:

• Is autumn a good time to lay turf?
• 6 key benefits of laying turf in autumn
• View our range of turf
• Top tips for laying turf in autumn
• How to lay turf in autumn
• Speak to the experts
• FAQs

Is Autumn a Good Time to Lay Turf?

Absolutely! Autumn is widely considered one of the best times to lay turf and install a new lawn in the UK for multiple reasons:

• The soil is still warm during September, October and November
• Air temperature isn’t too hot
• There’s often more rain, which means less watering
• Your lawn isn’t in demand
• Cooler temperatures reduce stress on new turf
• The ground is frozen or waterlogged
• There’s time for roots to fully establish before winter

6 Key Benefits of Laying Turf in Autumn

1. Ideal ground & air temperature

One of the biggest advantages of laying turf in autumn is the balance between warm soil and cooler temperatures.

While your soil is warm, grass roots will grow and strengthen, allowing your turf to establish and thrive quickly. Meanwhile, the cooler air temperatures mean less moisture is lost through evaporation, and your grass won’t stress in the heat.

Read More: Is Your Turf Stressed?

2. More Rainfall Means Less Watering

Autumn naturally brings more rainfall, making it much easier to keep newly laid turf hydrated and reduce your watering costs.

You still need to monitor moisture levels with new turf, as consistent moisture encourages the grass roots to knit into the soil, develop strong systems to find reserves, and reduce the risk of turf drying out.

Read More: How Often Should You Water New Turf?

3. Time to Settle Before Winter

The most important part of laying new turf is what’s going on underneath the soil. Root establishment is key for a long, strong and healthy lawn.

Whether you’re laying turf in September, October or November, autumn allows plenty of time for your new turf to settle and anchor into its new home before colder conditions set in.

With a strong root system established, your new turf will be able to survive the winter and thrive come spring.

4. Less Use of Your Lawn

As summer ends, gardens and lawns naturally become quieter, with less footfall. This makes it an ideal time to lay turf and leave it to settle.

New turf needs about 2 weeks for initial rooting, and up to 4 to 6 weeks for a fully established lawn. The less disturbance your new turf experiences, the better chance it has of rooting quickly and successfully.

Read More: How Soon Can I Use My New Lawn?

5. Better Growth in Spring

Ultimately, all of the above benefits lead to a healthier, greener and more resilient lawn come springtime.

It also allows you to repair any struggling patches or add a spring fertiliser to give it an added boost ready for increased usage. You don’t have to panic come spring to get your lawn summer-ready; you can enjoy it as soon as the weather warms up!

6. Nicer Conditions for Landscapers

Autumn doesn’t just benefit turf; it helps those laying it too.

Cooler temperatures make physical labour more comfortable for landscapers and gardeners, allowing your new turf to be installed more efficiently and without the worry of intense summer heat.

Autumn brings more predictable temperatures, which makes every step of turf laying – ground preparation, installation and aftercare – more manageable.

View Our Range of Turf

• Trident Turf
• Wild Flower Turf
• Clover Turf
• Show Lawn Turf
• RTF Turf
• Species-Rich Turf
• Greens Turf
• Shade Tolerant Turf
• Revetting Turf
• View All

Top Tips for Laying Turf in Autumn

To give your new lawn the best possible start in autumn, follow these tips from our turf experts:

• Order high-quality turf
• Ensure the ground is prepped correctly
• Lay your turf as soon as it arrives
• Use turf topsoil to improve soil quality
• Use wooden boards to prevent muddy footprints
• Avoid walking on new turf for a few weeks
• Water thoroughly after laying and keep it hydrated
• Remove fallen leaves to increase sunlight absorption

Read More: Autumn Leaves, Autumn Lawn

How to Lay Turf in Autumn

Laying turf is no different to laying turf any other time of the year. You can follow our detailed step-by-step turf installation guide with a video tutorial by George himself!

• Step 1: Clear the area by removing existing turf, weeds and debris.
• Step 2: Dig over the soil, add in turf topsoil and rake over for a flat, firm surface.
• Step 3: Start from the top corner and lay your first roll of turf.
• Step 4: Lay your next roll of turf, butting the edges together and following a brick wall pattern.
• Step 5: Trim any edges neatly with a sharp knife or edging tool.
• Step 6: Water the entire lawn, ensuring the soil underneath the turf is soaked.

Speak to the Experts

Whether you’re installing a brand new lawn or upgrading an existing one, autumn offers some of the best conditions for laying fresh turf.

At George Davies Turf & Stone, we supply premium-quality turf to help landscapers and homeowners achieve that perfect lawn.

If you’re unsure which type of turf is right for you, or need any further advice when installing turf, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team, who are happy to help.

FAQs

Can I lay turf in September or October?

Yes! September and October are two of the best months to lay turf as autumn offers the best conditions for turf – warm ground temperatures, cool air temperatures and increased rainfall all help with turf establishment and spring growth.

How long does autumn turf take to root?

New autumn lawns take approximately 2 weeks for initial rooting, and 4 to 6 weeks for strong root systems to establish.

When can I mow my new autumn lawn?

We recommend 3 weeks before giving your lawn its first cut. If you’re laying in late autumn, this may be all it needs until it begins actively growing in spring.

When should I not lay fresh turf?

The only times you should not lay fresh turf are when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. In these conditions, it is hard to prepare the ground effectively, so your turf will not anchor correctly to create a strong, healthy lawn.