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Fresh turf rolls being laid across prepared soil in a London back garden

Turf laying in London, England

Sod installation in London: new turf for tired lawns

In the UK this is usually called turf. We clear the old lawn, prepare the soil and lay fresh turf so it can root properly.

  • Old lawn cleared and ground levelled
  • Turf chosen to suit shade, wear and clay soil
  • Written quote before any work starts

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What do you need?

What is sod installation, and how is it done in London?

Sod installation means laying ready-grown grass in rolls. In the UK it is normally called turf, and the job is turf laying. It gives you a usable lawn in days rather than the months a seeded lawn takes, which is why it suits small London gardens that get used straight away.

The work is mostly preparation. The old lawn, weeds and stones are cleared. The soil is dug or loosened, levelled and raked to a fine finish, with topsoil added where it is thin. The turf is then laid in a staggered pattern like brickwork, cut to fit edges and rolled or firmed so there are no air gaps underneath.

Good ground preparation matters more than the turf itself. Poor preparation is the most common reason a new lawn fails.

Why do London lawns fail, and what fixes them?

Most lawn problems in London come from the ground rather than the grass.

Waterlogged clay

Clay holds water. A lawn that squelches all winter and bakes in summer often needs the soil loosened, grit or good topsoil worked in, and sometimes drainage. See our page on drainage solutions for severe cases.

Shade and moss

Shade from walls, fences and trees leaves grass thin and mossy. A shade-tolerant mix can help, though no grass thrives in deep shade.

Wear

Children, dogs and garden furniture wear the grass in busy gardens. A hard-wearing turf blend copes better than a fine ornamental one.

Compaction

Builders' traffic and years of use squash the soil. Loosening it before laying lets roots go down.

What changes the price of laying turf?

We do not publish prices, because every lawn is different. The quote depends on:

  • the area, measured in square metres
  • the type of turf, from hard-wearing family blends to fine ornamental lawn
  • the state of the old lawn and how much has to be stripped and removed
  • the soil, including how much topsoil or levelling is needed
  • access, since carrying heavy turf rolls through a terraced house takes more people and more time
  • edges, borders and any steps or changes of level
  • waste removal, because old turf and soil are heavy

Some customers pair a new lawn with a watering system or with new paving from our hardscaping service. Planning them together avoids digging up new turf later.

Many small gardens can be stripped, prepared and turfed in a few days. Large or awkward lawns take longer. Turf can be laid for much of the year, with autumn and spring the easiest times. It should not be laid on frozen or waterlogged ground, or in a hard dry spell without regular watering.

After laying, the turf needs watering often, enough that the soil under it stays damp. Keep off it until it has rooted, which is usually a couple of weeks or more. You will see it tighten as roots knit in. Water companies in London can restrict hosepipe use in dry spells, so a water butt or other plan is worth thinking about.

The first cut should be light, with the mower set high.

When should you call about your lawn?

Call when more than half the lawn is moss, weeds or bare soil, when water pools after rain or when the surface is too bumpy to use. Call when building work has left the garden churned up.

If only part of the lawn is bad, patching or aeration may be a better route than full replacement, and we will say so. For a complete garden plan that includes the lawn, see our landscape design page, or go back to the home page for other services.

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Local crews
Reliable scheduling
Tidy job sites

Questions about landscaping in London

Is sod the same as turf?

Yes. Sod is the American word. In the UK, the product and the job are normally called turf and turf laying. Both mean ready-grown grass cut from a field and delivered in rolls. We use both terms so that people searching either way can find us.

When can turf be laid in London?

Autumn and spring are the easiest times, because rain helps rooting and temperatures are mild. Turf can often be laid in summer with plenty of watering, and in winter if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Conditions on the day decide, so we check the ground before delivery.

How long before I can walk on new turf?

Usually you should stay off it for a couple of weeks or more, until the roots have knitted into the soil. You can test a corner by lifting it gently. If it lifts easily, it has not rooted yet. Light use is fine after that, with heavier use later.

Will new turf survive on London clay?

Yes, with preparation. Compacted clay should be loosened and mixed with topsoil, and sometimes grit, so water can drain. Rolled straight onto hard, wet clay, turf struggles. Good preparation and sensible watering give the roots a chance to go down and the lawn lasts longer.

Is artificial grass an alternative?

It can be, particularly in deep shade or small gardens with heavy use. It needs no mowing, but it needs a proper base, can get hot in summer and does not support wildlife as natural grass does. Think about drainage and your neighbours too. We can talk through both options.

How it works

  1. Tell us about the yard

    Size, goals and any photos.

  2. Site visit and quote

    We walk the property and put the price in writing.

  3. We do the work

    Scheduled crew, cleanup included.

Request sod installation

Tell us what you need and we call you back.

No obligation.

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What do you need?

Ready when you are Call now or request a quote online. Call for a free quote Get my free landscaping quote 020 7946 0800