The site for laying turf lawn must always be prepared in exactly the same way as for sowing seed.
Usually turves are cut in strips three by one feet and rolled like a swiss roll! But sometimes they are cut a foot square.
The best turves are fairly uniform in thickness.
Cheaper ones may not be, and this complicates the job of laying turf.
It is worth while trimming the turves before laying instead of trying to adjust the level of the soil while you are laying them.
To do this, make a frame, a box with one end missing, almost the same size as the turf lawn pieces but with a little to spare to make it easier to put them in and pull them out.
The sides of the box should be the required thickness of the turves and any which are too thick can then be slid into the box grass-side downwards.
Any surplus soil which juts above the box can then be sliced off with an old knife.
Any that are too thin should be set aside or marked and when these are laid a little extra soil can be placed under them.
When they are delivered, have the lawn turves stacked carefully in a place near the site of the lawn to avoid unnecessary handling.
When you are ready, start laying turf pieces on the prepared surface taking care that they all go one way, their side edges in line.
Pack them as close to each other as you can.
It is best to start at the lawn edges so that every fresh row of turves goes down on untrodden soil.
You can walk on the turves themselves, but it is better if you can place a board or plank over the area where you will be working as you lay the next row of turves.
This will spread the weight and prevent the turves from becoming too knocked about.
Use a plank as a walk from the pile of turves across the laid turves.
The joints of the second row of turves should come between those of the first row, rather as bricks do in a wall.
Move the plank along as you work.
Put aside any damaged lawn turves and use these at the centre.
Use good ones for the sides.
If you notice any perennial weed roots when you are laying the turf, it is usually quite easy to prise them out.
After laying turf and when all the lawn is laid, beat the turves down with the back of the spade.
This will compact them and help to push the joins together.
Take some sifted soil or fine peat and scatter it over the turves.
If you care to mix in a little grass seed this will help bind the grass turves even more quickly.
Then brush the grass lightly all over, first from side to side and then from top to base.
This will help fill up the joins.
Water the soil thoroughly.
You need not worry that you will wash away the seed as you would for a seeded lawn, but you must let the water get down right through the grass to the roots.