The Ultimate Guide To Turf Rolls

Achieving a lush, green lawn begins with selecting the right turf and knowing the best installation practices. Whether you’re reviving an existing lawn or establishing a new one, the key to a successful turf installation lies in careful preparation, correct installation, and consistent post-installation care.

In this guide, we’ll discuss turf rolls and the different turf types and the essential steps for successful installation to ensure your lawn gets the best start for healthy growth.

When is the Best Time to Lay Turf rolls?

The timing of turf installation plays a crucial role in its successful establishment. The best time to lay turf is during the cooler months of autumn or early spring. These seasons provide optimal growing conditions, allowing the turf to root effectively before facing the stress of summer heat or winter frost.

Understanding Different Types of Turf rolls

Selecting the right turf for your specific needs is essential. Consider your local climate, soil type, maintenance requirements, and intended use for the lawn. Here’s a breakdown of different lawn types and their best uses:

Trident Turf

Trident Turf is a mix of 75% fescue and 25% rye. Fine Fescue offers a fine texture and lush green colour, while Rye Grass is fast-growing and resilient; together, they create a vibrant, low-maintenance lawn that establishes quickly.

Best Use: Trident Turf is a great all-rounder ideal for residential lawns, ornamental gardens, and recreational spaces.

Buy Trident Turf

Wildflower Turf

Wildflower turf contains 27 different perennial and annual seeds that will flower throughout the summer, creating a biodiverse and ecologically rich garden environment.

The native wildflowers offer a natural look and attracts and supports local wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Best Use: Once established, wildflower turf typically needs less mowing and watering, making it an attractive option for those seeking a more natural and low-maintenance lawn.

Buy Wildflower Turf

Species-Rich Turf

Species-rich turf contains grass species, wildflowers, and clovers, creating a textured and diverse landscape. Like wildflower turf, species-rich turf undergoes seasonal changes as plant species bloom at various times.

Unlike traditional lawns dominated by a single grass species, species-rich turf aims to replicate the diversity found in natural grasslands and meadows.

Best Use: Species-rich turf is an excellent choice for creating a more natural and environmentally friendly landscape. It is particularly well-suited for homeowners and gardeners who prioritise biodiversity and want a visually appealing lawn.

Buy Species Rich Turf

Greens Turf

Greens turf is carefully cultivated from fine-textured grass varieties, creating a velvety-looking, manicured, and uniform surface. The individual grass blades are often finer than those found in standard lawns. They are typically mowed to a very short height, usually much lower than what is suitable for traditional lawns.

Best Use: Greens turf is ideal for golf courses, sports fields, and ornamental lawns. Its close-cut height contributes to the smooth playing surface required for activities like putting.

Buy Greens Turf

RTF Turf

Rhizomatous tall fescue (RTF) is known for its unique growth characteristics and resilience. Unlike traditional tall fescue varieties, which spread primarily through tillering (the production of side shoots from the base of the plant), RTF has the added ability to spread through rhizomes. The presence of rhizomes (underground stems that can produce new shoots and roots) allows RTF to spread horizontally, creating a dense and interconnected turf.

Best Use: Due to its excellent drought tolerance and wear resistance. RTF turf is great for residential lawns in high-traffic areas, recreational areas and sports fields.

Buy RTF Turf

Shade-Tolerant Turf

Our Shade-Tolerant Turf is a blend of Trident Turf, which contains a mix of shady cultivars and our Shady Seed Mixture. This blend results in a combination of grasses adapted to lower light conditions. Plus it can maintain their health and appearance in shaded environments.

Best Use: Ideal for lawns that receive limited sunlight due to trees, structures, or other obstacles.

Buy Shade-Tolerant Turf

Top Tips for Laying Turf Rolls

Proper preparation and installation ensure the turf establishes well, resulting in a lush, healthy, and resilient lawn. Here are some of the best tips for laying turf:

1. Prepare Your Soil: Ensure the soil is well-prepared before laying turf. Remove debris, weeds, and rocks, and use a garden fork or rotavator to loosen the soil to a depth of about 4-6 inches. After this, incorporate well-rotted organic matter or compost to improve soil structure and fertility.
2. Water Your Soil: Use a sprinkler or hose to evenly moisten the soil to a depth of 4-6 inches. Properly hydrated soil provides a favourable environment for the turf to establish roots and promote healthy growth.
3. Firm the Soil: Use a rake to level the soil, filling in any low spots to create a smooth and even surface. Firm the soil by gently walking over it or using a roller to prevent the turf from settling after laying.
4. Lay the Turf: Begin laying the turf along a straight edge, such as a pathway or border. Stagger the joints in a brickwork pattern to create a seamless and natural appearance. Butt the edges of the turf rolls tightly against each other without overlapping, ensuring there are no gaps between the rolls.
5. Roll and Level: After the turf is laid, roll it after installation to eliminate air pockets. Ensure good soil-to-turf contact, prevent water pooling, and encourage even growth.
6. Water: As soon as the turf is laid, water it thoroughly to settle the soil and provide essential moisture to the roots.
7. Minimise Foot Traffic: Avoid walking on the newly laid turf rolls as much as possible during the first few weeks to allow the roots to establish without disturbance.

Once your turf rolls have been laid and established, regular mowing, watering, and fertilisation will help maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn.

Proper soil preparation, careful installation, and consistent maintenance contribute to your turf’s long-term health, appearance, and resilience. By following these tips, you can increase the likelihood of successful turf establishment and enjoy a vibrant lawn all year round.