Laying turf (sod): step-by-step, best season and costs

• Speed: turf is walkable after 2 to 3 weeks; a seeded lawn needs 6 to 10 weeks before it can take any real use.
• Instant result: useful before a move, sale or garden party.
• Less weed-prone at first: turf arrives as a closed grass mat, leaving weed seed almost no chance to germinate.
• Seeding is cheaper (roughly €1–2 per m² for seed versus €5–10 per m² for turf) and tends to root slightly deeper over time — a good option if you are not in a hurry.

See our lawn care guide for the full seed-versus-turf comparison and aftercare.

1. Remove existing growth: strip old turf and weeds completely (mechanically, with a turf cutter, or by digging).
2. Loosen the soil to 15–20 cm depth — the single most important step on the heavy clay of this region. Work in 3–5 cm of compost or imported topsoil to improve structure.
3. Level with a straight edge or lawn roller so no low spots remain where water can pool.
4. Firm the surface lightly with a roller so the top layer is stable but not compacted solid.
5. Feed with a starter fertiliser just before laying, so the new turf has nutrients available immediately.

1. Start along the longest straight edge (a patio or path) and work in rows, staggered like bricks — never let seams line up continuously.
2. Butt the rolls tightly against each other, no overlap and no gaps; press the edges down lightly by hand.
3. Work from boards laid on the already-placed turf to avoid compacting the prepared soil underneath.
4. Cut edge and corner pieces to size with a sharp knife.
5. Roll the whole lawn lightly after laying for good soil contact.
6. Water generously immediately after laying — daily watering for the first two weeks is essential, even if it looks like it has rained enough.

Turf can be laid almost year-round, except during frost or prolonged heat and drought. The best windows are April–May and September–October: mild temperatures and naturally higher rainfall mean less manual watering and better establishment. Summer works too but needs intensive watering in the first weeks; winter is best avoided since root growth largely stops.