Looking after new turf in the first six weeks

Why the first weeks matter so much

Turf arrives as a thin layer of grass and soil cut from a field. Until new roots grow down into the ground beneath, the rolls rely entirely on the water you give them. Let them dry out and the edges curl, gaps open between the joins and the grass turns straw coloured.

The ground preparation done before laying makes a big difference here. Soil that has been cleared, levelled and firmed lets the turf sit flat with full contact underneath, so roots can grow straight down rather than into air pockets.

Watering: more than you think

Water new turf on the day it is laid, thoroughly enough that the soil underneath is wet, not just the grass. Lift a corner to check. For the next couple of weeks, keep it consistently moist, which in warm or windy weather can mean watering every day. Early morning or evening wastes less to evaporation.

Light soils, like the sandy ground common around the Breck, dry out especially fast, so check more often. As the turf roots, you can gradually water less often but more deeply, which encourages roots to chase moisture downward.

• Soak on laying day until the soil below is wet
• Keep moist daily in warm, dry or windy spells
• Lift a corner to check water is reaching the soil
• Move to deeper, less frequent watering after rooting

Keep off while it roots

Avoid walking on the new lawn as much as possible for the first two to three weeks. Footprints push the rolls out of level and can tear new roots. If you need to cross it to water, use a plank to spread your weight. Keep pets and children off until a gentle tug on the grass shows the turf is holding.

The first mow

Once the turf has rooted and the grass has grown noticeably, usually after a couple of weeks in the growing season, it is ready for a first cut. Set the mower high and take only the very tips off. Make sure the blades are sharp, as a blunt mower can pull at the young turf. Lower the height gradually over the next few mows.

Common mistakes that kill new turf

Most failed lawns come down to a handful of avoidable errors. Watering too little is the biggest. Leaving rolls stacked on a pallet for a day or two in warm weather is another, as the grass inside yellows quickly. Mowing too short too soon, or using weed and feed products on turf that has not settled, can also set it back badly.

• Underwatering in the first fortnight
• Leaving rolls stacked unlaid in warm weather
• Walking on it before it roots
• Cutting too short on the first mows

When to ask for help

If joins open up, patches stay yellow after watering or edges lift, get in touch early. Often the fix is simple once the cause is spotted. If you want the lawn kept in shape after it settles, regular garden maintenance visits can take over mowing and edging.