LAYING TURF ON CLAY – DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY                

In this article, we will talk about laying turf on clay soil. Clay soils are heavy and sticky when wet, and lumpy and hard when dry. They are difficult to work with, as well as their ineffective drainage creates moist lawns that encourage worms and weeds. In dry periods, the hardened soil can crack. Therefore, clay soils require special consideration.

Prior to laying turf on clay soils, you need to improve the structure of your soil. This can be done by installing a drainage system and capping the area with light top soil (50mm or more), or incorporating plenty of sand into your soil (80% of the resulting soil should be sand). The first option is much easier, and that is why many people choose to install drainage and cap the area with quality topsoil instead of trying to improve the clay soil itself when laying turf on clay.

The required work can be performed by a homeowner or turf laying service. Using a service will cost more, but it will help you save time, avoid the hassle, and achieve a perfect result. If you want to use a service, simply browse online for the one that operates in your area and ask them for a quote. Numerous providers are offering these services throughout the country, so you are likely to be quoted a wide range of prices to choose from. Be sure to let the provider know that you require laying turf on clay, so they include additional services into the quote.

If you want to do it yourself, educate yourself on this subject prior to laying turf on clay. Turf costs a lot, but it's easy to ruin it. The aspects that can ruin the lawn are: the topsoil was not good enough for plant growth, the turf was not laid properly, the ground was not levelled well, or the weeds were not completely eliminated. If the topsoil was not good enough or the turf was not laid properly, the lawn can die within weeks. If the ground was not levelled well, it will be hard or impossible to obtain an even grass height when mowing. If the weeds were not taken care of in advance, they may start poking through the new lawn.

Prior to choosing the turf for laying turf on clay, you may want to take a close look at the samples. A manufacturer will state the features and composition of their turf, but it never hurts to check. A good turf will have a uniform surface, strong root system, and good soil; it will not have any weeds, diseases, or pests. Short grass will allow you to check whether there are any weeds in the layer.

If done right, laying turf on clay will bring a great outcome.