When is the best time to lay turf? All year round potentially — but experts share when you'll get the best results

Knowing the best time to lay turf will give the greatest chance of the grass taking root in your soil. While success is never guaranteed, choose favourable conditions and lay turf properly and there should be no reason why your new lawn won't thrive.

Turf can be laid pretty much all year round, with a few exceptions. However, spring and autumn are widely regarded as the optimum seasons, with soil conditions generally more favourable to the grass taking root. That's not to say you can't lay turf in winter, however.

Whatever time of year you're looking at, the experts help us look at the reasons why finding the optimum time will ensure you give your grass the best start.

The best time to lay turf

Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture confirms that the ideal time to lay turf is during spring or autumn, as it is easier to prepare the ground and care for the turf afterwards.

"The turf will also have time to properly establish itself before the temperature is too hot in summer, or before it enters dormancy in winter," explains Graham.

"If you lay turf at the wrong time, it can fail to establish, and you will need to repeat the process again," Graham warns.

You can help your turf settle in even more successfully with a fertiliser like this pre-lawn and seed starter fertiliser at Amazon. Whatever the season be sure to know when to mow turf once it's been laid so as not to cause damage.

Graham Smith MCIhort

Graham has extensive knowledge in the horticultural and gardening industries, and prides himself on using this to help gardeners of all skills create their perfect outdoor space.

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Conditions for laying turf

With the UK seasons being more difficult to predict weather-wise than in previous years, sometimes it can be best to go by the forecast rather than going by a specific date. Consider the cost of laying turf will mean you'll want to try and be sure you get it right first time.

"You should avoid laying turf during periods of drought or high temperatures. This is because the lawn will need a lot of additional watering, and it may be much drier which makes it more prone to breaking and harder to repair," says Graham.

As well as dry and hot weather Jane Fairlie, technical development manager at Doff Portland says to avoid other extreme conditions such as heavy rain or snow, and waterlogged soil.

Laying turf in winter

Winter is not the optimum time for laying turf, experts agree you'd be better off waiting for temperatures to warm up in Spring, but if you are determined to give it a go, Jane Fairlie, technical development manager at DoffPortland offers some essential insight.

"In winter, turf takes longer to root because it’s in a dormant state therefore expect several weeks for the roots to establish properly," explains Jane. This means you will need to avoid walking on the turf for at least a couple of weeks – longer if the weather remains cold. Lay a flat wooden board on the surface if you need to walk across it.

Frost isn’t usually a problem if the soil temperature is above 7°C. However, Jane suggests that if severe frosts are expected, you can protect the turf with a layer of horticultural fleece weighed down at the edges

"Just remember to remove the fleece once the frost risk has passed to avoid any buildup of condensation, which can lead to rotting or diseases," she says.

Jane Fairlie

Jane is the technical development manager at Doff Portland, a manufacturer of premium garden care products.

Laying turf in summer

David Hedges-Gower, the chairman of the Lawn Association, tells us that, though not the best time to lay turf, summer is still an option.

"From June to August you may have to intervene with hosepipes. Simple logic will tell you that to lay turf in summer will require you to use a certain amount of water,” he says.

Peter Chaloner adds that the hottest summer days might cause stress to the turf if watering isn't consistent. "If you can, try to lay it on a mild day with overcast weather, to help the grass settle in better," says Peter.

Peter Chaloner

Peter Chaloner is the Managing Director of Cobra, one of the UK's leading brands of garden machinery. He is a passionate enthusiast when it comes to lawn care and seasonal gardening tasks. He takes great pride in maintaining his own lawn and garden to perfection and is knowledgeable about various techniques and tools that can be used to achieve the best results.

FAQs

What is the best temperature to lay turf?

If you're finding the seasons difficult to predict it can be easier to go by soil temperature, to find out if it's a suitable time to lay turf.

“Laying turf, as with overseeding a lawn, requires some specific conditions to ensure it establishes well and grows into a healthy lawn. Ensure the soil temperature is between 10°C and 18°C (50°F to 65°F) – too cold or hot will hinder root growth," says Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of Cobra.

Can you lay turf in February?

You can start laying turf as early as February, but timing and preparation are key to success. Here's what you need to know:

"Check the soil condition: make sure the ground is well-drained and not waterlogged or frozen," says Jane Fairlie, technical development manager at Doff Portland.

"Apply a general-purpose fertilizer (20g per square meter) 4 - 7 days before laying the turf. This gives the fertilizer time to settle and feed the roots. Lay planks of wood on the ground to walk on while laying turf. This prevents soil compaction and keeps your turf nice and level."

"While February can be mild enough for turfing, weather can be unpredictable. If heavy rain, snow, or freezing conditions are forecast, it’s best to wait until things warm up," she adds.

What is the best month to lay turf?

Experts agree that spring and autumn are the best times of the year to lay turf. Graham Smith MCIHort, a gardening expert from LBS Horticulture says: "The best months for laying turf are March or April (spring), and September or October (autumn)."

Whilst it offers more instant results and is certainly an easier option than growing from seed, laying turf is a more costly option. If you would like to explore the more affordable option have a look at our guide on how to sow grass seed.