New Turf - but when to lay it?

[julesapple]

Our lawn was never up to much. The arrival of six chickens last summer, constant rain and a high water table (made higher by the building or 1400 new houses) have turned it from green grass to brown mud in no time at all.

OH and I have decided that the answer is returfing, hopefully with rufty-tufty meadow turf if we can get it. Obviously we can't do this in Winter and need to wait until Spring.

But when should we plan to lay turf?

Jules

[Glutton4...]

Jules, you can actually lay turf all year round. Obviously when it's frozen it's not such a good idea, but apart from that you should be fine. I have laid turf when it was snowing in the past, not ideal, but it was delivered before the weather changed, so we carried on!

[Nicos]

March/April and September are the usual times. Sept being the best as the soil is warmer, and much less chance of drought conditions afterwards!

[julesapple]

That's good to know. We've taken turf up, but never laid it before so any advice is great.

All the new building drives me mad, but on the plus side, the builders are going to give us a shout when they start the next phase and we can get the turf from the field if we hire or borrow a turf cutter thingy.

We know this particular field hasn't been sprayed for years and also, horse mushrooms grow on it....waste not want not.

Jules

[glasgowdan]

I'd do it in April if possible, but you may have to do it as and when the turf's available.

Don't bother about and lawn feeds etc until it's well established. You want strong root growth, not strong leaf growth. Water it like mental too for the first 4 weeks.

[julesapple]

I'd do it in April if possible, but you may have to do it as and when the turf's available.

Don't bother about and lawn feeds etc until it's well established. You want strong root growth, not strong leaf growth. Water it like mental too for the first 4 weeks.

Dan, yep probably will have to do it as & when. I can't feed it though - not unless there's something chicken-friendly I can use - I guess there will be, maybe bonemeal or something organic.

Jules

[Snadger]

I think November is the best month to lay turves? You've mised that window so I reckon late March/April would be you next best bet.

[Two_Sheds]

Laying Turf - Lawn Experts (UK)