Laying Turf

With the rest of your garden gleaming and new, the last thing you want is to be let down by having to traipse across a muddy lawn to get to your new patio or deck. A better option is laying new turf, which essentially means giving your garden a new lawn. You will be able to find a quality turf provider by asking in your local garden centre or looking for a turf supplier in the Yellow Pages. If you would rather entrust the whole operation to a professional, most turf suppliers will also lay the turf at an extra cost.

If you choose to go down the DIY route the main work is in preparing the area before you lay the turf. You will need to make sure the area is free from stones, weeds and debris. You'll also need to make sure that the surface is completely even before you can lay the turf. This job can be done by normal garden tools but it can take time to ensure the soil underneath is completely flat.

You will then need to lay a base fertiliser on the soil and water it evenly. This will help the new turf put down roots when it arrives. You can then lay your rolls of turf on top of the fertilized soil. For the best results, arrange for your turf to be delivered no sooner than 24 hours before you are ready to begin laying it.

Once the turf is laid, be careful not to walk on it until it has bedded properly into the soil, which can sometimes take several weeks. If you must walk across use planks of wood or boards on top of the grass. For more information, visit BBC Gardening for a comprehensive step-by-step guide to laying new turf in your garden.

With your garden makeover complete you have created a whole new area for your family and friends to enjoy in the summer months, not to mention adding thousands to the value of your house. Now all you need is for the sun to shine!