Turf is a good option for anyone who wants to quickly enjoy a lush green garden – without moss and weeds. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about laying turf and the steps to follow.
The house is finished, now it’s time to design the garden. Alongside the design of the outdoor living room and the plants, the lawn is a key issue. In order to quickly give the building a beautiful green setting, many homeowners opt for rolled turf in this case. Markus Lederleitner, head of the flower and gardening company of the same name, reveals what you need to know about this topic:
Numerous advantages of rolled turf
The advantages of rolled turf, also known as ready-made turf, are obvious: as its second name suggests, it is delivered ready-made in sheets. Depending on the size of the garden, it can be rolled out relatively quickly, transforming from a brown surface to lush green in just a few hours.
Another plus is that rolled turf, which is available in different varieties, is delivered dense and without weeds. “What’s more, the turf, which is one year old when it is delivered, is fully resilient around ten to 14 days after being laid,” says Markus Lederleitner.
quickest solution for lush greenery.
The right substrate
When laying rolled turf, which is cultivated in turf nurseries, the substrate must not be forgotten – just like when sowing. “For both, it is important that it is water-permeable,” says Lederleitner. In addition, the subsoil must be loosened before laying and any weeds, roots and stones must be removed.
For heavy, clayey soils, it is advisable to work in sand to improve the drainage capacity. Light, sandy soils should be amended with humus. A soil sample also provides information about the composition of the soil.
Remove old turf
If turf is being laid in an existing garden, the old lawn should be removed. “We do not recommend laying turf directly on top of the existing lawn. The turf underneath will suffocate and rotting can occur,” explains Lederleitner.
Tips for laying turf
“The installation is comparable to that of a parquet floor. The only important thing is to divide a strip in the middle, stagger the elements and then lay them joint to joint,” explains Lederleitner. When the turf is delivered, however, it should be laid quickly to prevent the strips from drying out.
The best time to lay turf
Spring and fall are ideal for laying turf. “You can lay turf until the ground is not completely frozen,” says Lederleitner. It can also be laid in summer – “but then you have to water a lot more,” says the expert.
Suitable for all locations
Turf can be laid anywhere, not least because of the different varieties. “The important thing is that there is enough light,” says Lederleitner. In order to ensure the optimum light conditions, it may be necessary to thin out the trees and hedges.
The right care
To enjoy the fresh green for a long time, it also needs to be maintained. “Turf needs the same care as a seeded lawn,” says the gardening specialist. In addition to regular mowing and watering, the lawn should be given a high-quality slow-release fertilizer three to four times a year. If, despite all the care, bare patches appear or the turf thins out, it can be reseeded. “There are reseeding mixtures for this, which you should always buy from the producer,” advises Lederleitner.
Laying turf is not cheap
The fact is: rolled turf is more expensive than lawn seed. There is no fixed price. According to Lederleitner, the costs depend, among other things, on the quantity of turf, the conditions (for example, is a crane required for delivery?), the topography and other factors, such as adapting the strips to the shape of the garden.
Photos: Lederleitner or Pixabay
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