Turf & Lawn Quantity Calculator (UK)

Turf Laying Guide (UK)

Calculating Turf Quantity

Measure your lawn area accurately, then add wastage for cuts and shaping. Area calculation: rectangle: length × width. Circle: π × radius² (radius = diameter ÷ 2). Triangle: ½ × base × height. Irregular shapes: divide into rectangles and triangles, add together. Wastage: add 5% for straight-edged lawns, up to 10% for curved or complex shapes (more cutting). UK turf rolls: most UK turf is sold by the square metre, typically as rolls about 1m² each (commonly 1.64m × 0.61m). Some suppliers sell lar

Ground Preparation

Good preparation is the difference between a thriving lawn and a patchy failure. Steps: 1. Clear the area — remove old grass, weeds, stones, and debris. Kill perennial weeds first (glyphosate, 2-3 weeks before). 2. Dig over or rotavate the soil to 15-20cm depth, breaking up compaction. 3. Add topsoil if needed — poor or thin soil benefits from 50-100mm of quality topsoil. 4. Level and grade — rake to a smooth, even surface with a slight slope away from buildings for drainage. 5. Firm the soil —

Laying the Turf

Lay turf as soon as it arrives. Process: start along a straight edge (path, patio, or a string line). Lay the first row, butting rolls end-to-end tightly (no gaps, no overlaps). Work forward, standing on boards laid on the turf you've placed (never on the prepared soil or directly on fresh turf). Stagger the joints like brickwork (don't align seams row to row) — stronger and less visible. Push rows tightly together — turf shrinks slightly as it dries, so tight joints prevent gaps. Cut edges and

Aftercare and Establishment

The first few weeks are critical for establishment. Watering: water heavily immediately after laying. Keep consistently moist for the first 2-3 weeks (daily in dry weather, sometimes twice). Don't let it dry out — newly laid turf can die quickly. After establishment, reduce frequency but water deeply when needed. First mowing: wait until the turf has rooted (gently tug a corner — resistance means roots have taken, usually 2-3 weeks). First cut: just the tips, with sharp blades, never more than a