Clearing and Marking

Mark the position of your lawn using your pegs and line. Clear any vegetation and large stones from the area. Using your fork (or cultivator), break up the soil so that it can be manipulated with your rake.

Levelling and Compacting

Use you rake to level the soil. Push or pull any high areas into the low spots firming with your feet as you go. Use the back of your rake to push bigger amounts of soil around. When you’re happy with the level, use your feet to tread the soil down and compact it. When the soil is all compacted, give it another light rake over. You may need to repeat this a couple of times.

Laying the Turf

Starting at one edge, roll out a couple of turfs to form a straight row. It’s important that you don’t step or kneel on the turf that you have just laid. Lay your boards on top of the row of turf and, standing or kneeling on these, start laying the next row. This row should be staggered like a brick wall so that the joins of the turf do not meet up. Butt the turfs up tightly to one another. Repeat this until you have covered the whole area, overlapping the edges of your marked out lawn.

Firming and Dressing

Use the back of your rake or your boards to firm down the turf. Make sure there are no corners sticking up or air pockets underneath. Brush some top dressing into the gaps for the best results.

Edging

Use a knife and a straight edge to cut the turf to the shape you marked with your line. If the shape is curved, use a length of rope as a guide instead.

Watering

You should water your lawn when you have finished and keep it moist until it is established. Don’t walk on it for at least two weeks. Don’t mow until at least 20mm of new growth has appeared.