When you’re looking for a way to transform your yard, you might consider adding turf. Turf is easy to install and it’s better for the environment than regular sod.
Turf can also be more affordable than some other options out there, so if you’ve been considering bringing green space into your yard but don’t want to spend thousands on new landscaping then turf is a great option!
Sure, here is the Takeaway table for “How to Add Turf to Existing Lawn – Easy Way”:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Adding turf to an existing lawn can be an easy and effective way to improve its appearance and health. |
| Before you add turf, you should prepare the soil, remove any debris and level the ground. |
| To ensure good drainage, you should add a layer of sand and/or gravel beneath the turf. |
| Once you have laid your turf, you should water it regularly to help the roots establish. |
| Finally, it’s important to keep your new lawn well-maintained, with regular mowing, feeding, and watering. |
Determine Your Needs And Wishes
Before you make a decision on how to add turf to your lawn, it is important that you consider the following questions:
Why do I want to add turf? Is my lawn in bad shape or just need some maintenance? Do I want a new lawn for my house or for my business?
How much time do I have to devote to this project? Will adding turf takes more than one day (or week), and if so, what can I do to make things easier on myself during the process of adding turf?
For example, will having a helper make everything go faster, or would it be better for me instead of hiring someone else since they already know what their job entails within a reasonable timeframe (for example when compared with hiring someone who doesn’t).
What are my budget constraints? This may sound like an odd question at first glance but after considering all other aspects of your project such as whether or not adding turf will require additional funds before starting out with this project
Then it becomes relevant because if money isn’t being spent wisely then there might not be enough left over later on down the road when unexpected costs arise unexpectedly (like when buying materials needed during installation).
Adding grass to your lawn can be a challenging task. Check out our guide on adding grass to lawn to get some landscape advice that can help make the process smoother and more effective.
Calculate The Square Footage You Need
To calculate the square footage you will need, first measure the area you want to cover. Then multiply that by two. If you’re covering an area with a slope, take into account how steep the slope is and add another foot for every inch of incline or decline in your yard.
For example, if your lawn is sloping at a 45 degree angle and you have 300 square feet (30 x 30), multiply that number by three to get 90 feet of turf needed for coverage on one side of your house (or 300 x 3 = 900 for both sides).
The method described above is only a rule-of-thumb calculation; there are other factors that can affect how much turf is required such as driveway entrances or access points, trees, and shrubs in close proximity to areas being covered with sod all these things may require additional strips of grass even though they may not be visible at first glance!
How to Calculate Square Footage for Turf
| Steps |
|---|
| Measure the area you want to cover in square feet. |
| Multiply the square footage by two to account for cutting and fitting. |
| If the area has a slope, take into account the degree of incline or decline. |
| For every inch of incline or decline, add an extra foot to your total square footage. |
| Add the extra square footage to your original measurement to get your final estimate. |
Take A Soil Sample And Test It
Soil testing is an important part of the process of laying turf, as it helps you determine if there are any deficiencies in your soil that may hinder grass growth.
You can take a sample by using a shovel or trowel to dig up a small amount of earth from around the area where you plan to lay your turf.
The results from your soil test will tell you what nutrients and minerals are present in different amounts, helping you decide whether or not additional fertilization would benefit your lawn.
Your local extension service can be a valuable resource for advice on how best to manage these nutrients and ensure healthy growth over time.
It’s also worth noting that no pesticides should be used in the planting area for one year following installation this will help prevent pest damage until new roots have formed enough that they become less vulnerable themselves!
If you want to keep your existing lawn healthy, you need to ensure proper nutrition and soil quality. Check out our guide on adding topsoil to an existing lawn to learn how you can improve your soil, make your lawn more resilient and reduce the need for fertilizers.
Prepare The Site For Laying Fresh Sod
The first step is to prepare the site for laying fresh sod. Remove any rocks or debris, and remove weeds by hand.
Mix in some compost and fertilizers according to the instructions on their packaging. This will help to improve the health of your lawn over time, as well as make it more resistant to weeds where grass has been removed.
Watering your lawn after laying new sod is important because it helps settle the soil and prevents puddles from forming as turf grows in place of dead plants.
Kill The Weeds And Grass In The New Area
Weeds and grass will spring up in the area of new turf. This is normal and can be prevented by applying weed killer to the area before laying the turf.
There are many types of weed killers, so pick one that is appropriate for your situation. If you have pets or children in the area, check with a professional before spraying any chemicals around them (or yourself).
The timing of when you spray will depend on how long it takes for weeds to grow after being sprayed with herbicide products.
For example: if it takes 4 weeks for your current lawn to grow from seedlings into full grass, then it would probably take about 1 month for weeds such as dandelions or crabgrass to appear after being sprayed with an herbicide product.
The best way to know whether there are still active seeds in the soil is by observing how long it takes new growths from existing plants (such as dandelions) after spraying them with herbicides
Adequate drainage is essential for maintaining healthy turf. Our guide on adding garden drainage can help you learn how to improve drainage in your garden or lawn, so you can reduce the risk of waterlogging and allow for proper growth.
Cut Out The Area For The New Section Of Lawn
Cut out the area for the new section of lawn. After you’ve chosen where you want to add turf, use a shovel to cut out the sod.
You can either start at one edge and work inward or make a grid pattern with your string and cut each piece of sod separately.
The latter will take more time, but it will also help you avoid cutting into any underground utilities that may be present in your yard (like pipes or electrical wires).
Remove all pieces of old grass from your yard before laying down new turf by hand-pulling them or using a sod cutter if they’re larger than 6 inches wide by 6 inches long (this tool will also come in handy when removing any stubborn roots left behind after removing your existing lawn).
How to Cut Out Sod For New Lawn Area
| Steps |
|---|
| Determine where you want to add turf and mark the boundaries. |
| Use a shovel to cut along the marked lines, making sure to cut deep enough to remove the sod. |
| Roll up the sod and set it aside. |
| Check the soil to make sure it’s level and free of debris. |
| Add topsoil or compost to improve the soil quality if necessary. |
Do A Moisture Test, Adjust Water As Needed
Watering is essential to establish the turf and keep it healthy. It’s important to water when the soil is dry and don’t overwater.
You can test whether your soil is moist enough by digging into it with a trowel, spade or shovel about 6 inches deep.
If you can see moisture just below the surface, then your lawn needs watering. When watering your lawn after adding turf, be sure to let any excess water drain from the area so that there are no puddles on top of newly laid turf seeds or seedlings when they germinate and begin growing in earnest during spring planting season.
Watering tips:
Water early in sunlight hours (dawn) for best results
Do not overdo it! Ensure that all areas are evenly moistened before leaving them alone for at least several hours afterward
Water infrequently but deeply at one time instead of frequently shallowly every day — this will help prevent disease issues later down line as well as make it easier on you since less watering means less stress both physically (lifting up bowls) and mentally (not having too much going on at once).
Ensuring that you mow your lawn correctly is an important part of lawn maintenance. Check out our article on adjusting lawn mower cutting height for expert advice on how to adjust your lawn mower so you can maintain a healthy lawn without damaging the roots.
Lay Down Sheets Of Foam Insulation To Reduce Heat And Noise, If Desired
If you are laying down turf on an existing lawn, it can help to lay down sheets of foam insulation underneath the turf. This will reduce the amount of heat and noise in your yard.
The foam insulation is helpful if you’re laying down new grass on an existing lawn. However, it’s not necessary for an existing lawn because there’s already some cushioning between the ground and your feet when walking around barefoot or with shoes on.
Foam insulation comes in rolls that are about 4′ wide by 25′ long, which means they’ll cover about 1/4 acre at a time (assuming you’re using two sheets per square foot).
So if you want to cover 1/2 acre of land with foam insulation, then buy two rolls and cut them into halves before installing them over top of each other so they fit snugly together side-by-side when laid out flat against each other (you’ll have four sheets total covering up half an acre).
Lay The Turf On Top Of The Foam, Starting From One Side And Going Across In Rows
Cut the turf with a utility knife that is as long as your arm span in length. For example, if you’re 5’6″, use a utility knife that is 13″ long. This makes it easier to cut straight lines and avoid mistakes when cutting the turf.
Lay each row of turf next to each other so there are no gaps between them. This will prevent any dirt from getting trapped between them which could lead to weeds growing later on down the road!
One of the most effective ways to ensure your lawn grows well is to properly maintain your lawn mower blades. Check out our expert guide on adjusting lawn mower blades to learn how you can sharpen your blades and balance your deck, to ensure your lawn is properly trimmed and healthy.
Roll The Turf, So That It Settles Into Place
The last step is to roll the turf in different directions, which helps it settle into place. This will also help you get a nice even surface.
If any parts of your existing lawn are uneven, try using a roller to flatten them out before laying down the new turf.
Turn On Regular Sprinkler System Or Hose To Water In Immediately.
After laying sod, it is important to water it in immediately. The easiest way to do this is by using a sprinkler system or hose and turning on the water for about ten minutes.
Make sure you keep an eye on how much you are watering because if the area gets too wet, it can cause damage to your newly laid turfgrass.
After watering in your new grass, make sure that you maintain a regular watering schedule for each day of the week.
Use a sprinkler system or hose set at a light, even pattern so that all areas of turf get wet evenly without being saturated with water.
Fertilize For Best Results
Fertilizing your grass is important for healthy growth and strong roots. You should fertilize at least once a year, but applying fertilizer twice a year (spring and fall) is ideal.
You want to use a fertilizer with higher nitrogen content than other nutrients because it will promote leafy growth at the expense of roots.
In addition, you should apply fertilizer directly to the grass rather than the soil in order to prevent clumps from forming when water collects between them.
Turf Can Be A Good Investment
Turf is a good investment.
- Turf can be installed in a day or two, which means it’s easy to install and will save you money on labor costs.
- Turf lasts for many years, so it’s an investment that pays off over time.
- Turf is easy to maintain, and that saves you money on lawn care costs as well!
Conclusion
With the proper tools, knowledge, and a bit of elbow grease, you can create a new lawn in your backyard. Just remember to consider all of your options first before embarking on this project!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about how to lay turf, check out these relevant resources:
AP Fencing’s Guide on How to Lay Turf on Existing Grass: A step-by-step guide on how to lay turf on an existing lawn, with helpful tips and diagrams.
Rolawn’s Guide on How to Lay Turf: A comprehensive guide on how to prepare and lay turf, with helpful videos and a turf calculator.
Greenbull’s Guide on How to Lay Turf: A beginner-friendly guide on how to lay turf, including tips on how to choose the right type of turf, how to prepare the ground, and how to install the turf.
FAQs
How do you prepare the soil for laying turf?
To prepare the soil for laying turf, you should first remove any weeds or debris and loosen the soil with a fork. Then, spread a layer of topsoil or compost to provide your lawn with the necessary nutrients, before leveling the soil with a rake.
How often should you water newly laid turf?
In general, you should water newly laid turf every day for the first two weeks. After that, you can reduce the frequency to once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.
Can you lay turf in winter?
Yes, you can lay turf in winter, but it’s important to ensure the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. It’s also important to be aware that the turf will take longer to establish in colder weather.
How long does it take for turf to root?
It typically takes around 7 to 10 days for turf to root, depending on factors like temperature and moisture levels. During this time, it’s important to ensure that the turf is kept moist to help the roots establish.
How soon can you mow new turf?
You should wait at least 14 days before mowing new turf. When you do mow, be sure to only remove the top one-third of the grass blades to avoid damaging the roots.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
