What turf is the best for my garden?
So, you’ve made the decision that this is the year you are going to get your garden in shape and that turfing is the best way to do that.
However, turf versus seed isn’t the only question that you needed to ask yourself when it comes to transforming your lawn.
While laying turf produces better results than seeding your garden – the transformation is quicker and turf doesn’t get eaten by birds or washed away by rain – it is worth doing a spot of research and planning about the type of turf to lay before you get to work, to ensure you get the best out of your garden renovation.
The most important question to consider is what is the main use of your garden going to be. Do you have children who play football or other games in the garden, or dogs and other pets which spend a lot of time outdoors? If your garden is a high traffic and much used area, then a harder-wearing turf would suit you better.
On the other hand, if you are going for a decorative or ornamental garden which is more for aesthetic value, then there are other options which may work better for you.
Does the feel of the grass matter? Grass in domestic gardens is very different to that on sports fields and landscaped public areas, for example, so if this important to you, you will need to factor it into your decision making.
Finally, what about the climate and weather conditions where you live and the amount of sunlight your garden gets? All of this will impact on the type of turf which is best for you.
Grass varieties
You may be surprised to learn that in the UK alone there are in the region of 160 grass varieties. Around the world there are at least 10,000 different species.
However, in the UK, there are three popular grass varieties that are considered the most appropriate to have in the turf. These are rye grass, meadow grass and fescue.
In this article we dig deep into these different grass types and which to use to get the best results.
Rye grass
Turf that is made up of rye grass is one of the most popular choices when it comes to selecting the best turf to lay in your garden.
It is renowned for being hard-wearing and durable, so it is an ideal and popular choice for households with children and pets.
Rye grass is also one of the most adaptable grass types and can successfully thrive under a wide range of soil qualities, and weather conditions.
Appearance wise, it blends into pre-existing lawns and in general has a lush, deep green colour when it is at its optimum and is easy to maintain.
Fescue Turf
Fescue turf types are the go-to choice for sporting arenas such as golf courses and bowling greens and while most UK domestic gardens admittedly don’t have these, fescue is one of the most popular turf types to lay for people looking to create the look of a landscaped garden.
The reason why fescue turf works well for golf courses and greens is that it creates a fine textured yet dense body of grass which gives the luxury look that people are keen to re-create at home.
It may be slower growing than other turf grasses but does require more skill and knowledge in maintaining it at optimum, but it does, however, perform well in both drought and water-logged situations, as well as having good shade and salt tolerance.
When to lay garden turf?
This is a question that crops up a lot and mainly people would assume that spring and summer are the best time to lay turf.
There are benefits to working outdoors at that time of year in that the weather is lighter and brighter and the temperature is definitely more friendly to the gardener.
However, when it comes to turf, there is no hard and fast rule, and it can be done at a time that suits you and your needs the best.
If you choose to lay turf in winter, as long as it is not in freezing conditions, there are several advantages. It has time to fully root and settle before spring, summer and the warmer weather when people want to make the most of their time in the garden. Also, at this time of year, it generally doesn’t need as much maintenance or watering than during the warmer months.
Autumn and early spring make for the ideal time to lay turf as it generally avoids frost, ice and snow and. If you lay turf in summer it may be nice to work outside and the turf beds in quicker, but it will need plenty of watering.
Summary
Turf is becoming an increasingly popular option for garden enthusiasts and green-fingered novices alike.
Laying turf in your garden makes for an instant transformation to the appearance of your green spaces and is a quicker process overall as it saves the need to sow seeds, monitor them, protect them from birds and reseed if necessary.
It is also a good option if you are new to gardening and don’t know all the tips and tricks of the trade.
While there are thousands of grass species throughout the world, there are a few in particular that work very well in the UK for a variety of circumstances and needs.
Perhaps one of the most popular types of turf that people lay in their gardens is turf made up of rye grass as it is a durable, hard-wearing and adaptive species. Meadow turf or wildflower turf is becoming a more popular option as in addition to the pop of colour and vibrancy it gives, it creates a habitat for wildlife, insects and birds to thrive upon. And, fescue type turfs are more often the ones opted for in order to create luxury and lush lawns.
Always choose plastic-free
Whatever your need, we have a turf to suit you and more importantly, one that is safe for the environment.
Some turfs are grown using a plastic mesh to help it stay together when being harvested. However, that plastic mesh becomes buried in the soil once the turf is laid and over time will break down into microplastics that can pollute the local environment and even get into watercourses.
At Lindum Turf, we believe this practice is outdated and should be stopped. That’s why all of our turf is plastic-free or grown on sandy loam soil. By choosing plastic free, you’ll be able to enjoy your new lawn knowing that it has not harmed the environment.
To view all of our plastic-free turfs, click here https://turf.co.uk/all-products