Turf laying on carefully prepared soil
Successful turf laying depends on what goes under the rolls, so we start with the soil and only then roll out the lawn. In Budapest and the surrounding towns we handle everything from preparation to the first watering, so when we’re done, there’s a green lawn where there used to be bare earth.
Why the soil decides whether turf takes root
Turf is ready-grown lawn, raised on a turf farm and delivered in rolls, so you don’t have to wait months for your garden to turn green. Its roots, however, need to grip the soil in your garden, and that only happens if they are laid on good ground.
On compacted, lumpy or weedy soil, the lawn yellows in patches, water pools in the dips and the mower bumps over every little mound for years. That’s why we put most of our attention into the work before the turf goes down, because it can’t be made up for afterwards.
Before and after
The same garden before and after turf laying, our own work. Drag the slider to compare the two.
BeforeAfterHow turf laying works
Soil preparation
We remove the old, weedy lawn, the stones and any leftover roots, then loosen the soil so the new roots can easily find their way.
Levelling
We rake the surface even so that no dips remain and the finished lawn sits neatly against the path and the edges of the flowerbeds.
Laying and rolling
We lay the rolls tightly side by side with staggered joints, then go over them with a roller so the underside of the turf is in contact with the soil everywhere.
First watering
Straight after laying, we water the whole area thoroughly, so both the rolls and the soil beneath them are soaked through.
When is turf worth it?
Around a new house
After building work, the plot is usually bare and trampled, so the soil needs sorting out anyway, and turf then greens up the garden in a single step.
An old, patchy lawn
If your old lawn has more weeds and moss than grass, it is often easier to start again than to patch it up for years, and this way you get an even, dense lawn straight away.
Where a tree was felled
After stump grinding, lawn can grow where the tree once stood, and you don’t need to call anyone else, because we handle both trees and lawns.
Plan watering and aftercare in advance
Turf needs attention after it’s laid too, and you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle if we plan its care from the outset. If you’d like an automatic irrigation system, it’s best installed before the turf goes down, so nothing has to be dug up later.
- Automatic irrigation laid underground
- Regular mowing with monthly garden maintenance
- Robotic lawnmower installation
- Autumn leaf clearing so the lawn isn’t smothered
From our own work
Real photos from jobs we have done ourselves.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to lay turf, and can you lay it in autumn?
Turf takes root most easily in spring and autumn, when it isn’t too hot and the rain helps. So you can certainly lay turf in autumn, though not on frozen ground. It can be laid in summer too, but then it will only survive with generous, regular watering.
What soil do you need under turf?
Loose, weed-free soil, levelled evenly, in which the roots can quickly take hold. Whether it’s enough to prepare the existing soil in your garden or it needs improving as well, we’ll check during the site visit.
How much should I water new turf?
A lot in the first few weeks, because the underside of the rolls mustn’t dry out until the roots have grown into the soil. The exact amount also depends on the weather and the soil, so when we lay the turf we tell you what to watch out for, and if there’s an automatic irrigation system in the garden, we adjust its programme accordingly.
When can I walk on new turf and mow it?
Once the lawn has taken root, meaning its roots have grown into the soil; until then, only walk on it as much as watering requires. You can tell it has rooted when you gently lift a corner and the turf no longer comes up. The first mow can happen then too, with the blades set high.
Which is better, sowing grass seed or laying turf?
If you want a neat, usable garden quickly, we recommend turf. Grass seed is cheaper, but a sown lawn takes a long time to become dense and hard-wearing, and in the meantime weeds can easily settle in between the blades of grass. Turf is green on the day it’s laid and arrives as a dense lawn, leaving the villain of the piece, the weeds, far less of a chance.
How much does turf laying cost per square metre?
We don’t quote a price per square metre sight unseen, because the preparation before laying varies hugely from garden to garden. The size of the area matters, as do the condition of the soil, whether the old lawn has to be removed and how easily we can get into the garden. The site visit is free, and afterwards we give you a written quote.
Request a site visit for turf laying
Tell us roughly how big the area for the new lawn is and what’s there now. We’ll call you back within one working day to arrange a time to see the garden. The site visit is free, and you can write to us in English.
Quicker by phone? Call us on +36 20 944 3464.
Turf laying in District 17 and nearby
We mostly work in District 17 and the surrounding towns, but we come out to every district of Budapest. See what your district or town requires.
