Ground Preparation & Turf Laying

In order to make the best of your Rysport turf it is important

to ensure a good ground preparation for the area to be turfed.

This may sound scary but it doesn’t have to be.

There are four steps to be taken for the ground preparation.

Ensure that perennial weeds like couch grass are removed either by hand or with a suitable weed killer. Your local garden centre will be happy to advise you as to which product to use.
Rotovate or Fork over the area to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, removing any large stones, old turf or debris and breaking up any large lumps of soil as you go.
Tread over or roll the area to consolidate the soil and rake over for levels. Repeat this process several time to create a smooth and evenly consolidated surface on which to lay your turf.
Before laying your Rysport turf rake approx. 28g (1oz) of bonemeal or general purpose compound fertiliser per square metre.

And six steps to be taken for laying your new turf.

Begin laying next to a straight edge i.e. Patio or path.
Place the rolls end to end, ensure the turf is not stretched but is butted tightly against the pieces already laid.
Pieces at the end of a line that are too long can be cut and placed at the start of next line.
Stagger the pieces of turf (they should look like brickwork) and when laying the turf, walk on boards so as not to damage the new turf.
When your new lawn is in place, firm the new turf down by rolling lightly or tamping with a flat board nailed to a pole.
Ensure your new lawn area is moist and water if necessary.

And four steps in turf maintenance.

Once the roots have knitted into the soil and the grass is growing well your lawn should be lightly mowed. Trim no shorter than 25mm (1”) in the first season.
Water in dry spells in the early morning and/or the evening, when necessary, ensuring that the turf and top 25mm (1”) of soil remain moist so that the new roots grow quickly.
When the lawn is established, do not over water in dry weather. Instead encourage the grass to grow deep string roots by applying at least 12mm (½”) of water at a time. Use a jam jar to check the rate.
Too much water too often will encourage shallow, weak roots and can encourage weeds.