You're in the middle of the prime turf laying season now so go ahead
time-wise. However, if you have what will become a very shaded area,
surrounded by tall shrubs, then turf may not do that well and it might
be better to wait until the spring and then sow the area with a grass
seed mix designed for a shady area. This will also be a lot cheaper
and the wait will give an opportunity for the patch of ground to
settle and for any rogue weed seedlings to appear and be removed in
the spring before you sow the grass - making sure there are no weeds
waiting underground is important as you cannot use lawn weedkillers
for at least a year and won't want to dig holes in your newly laid
turf!

Turves are normally 1'x3' so you'll need about 27 - lay them "bigger"
than the size you want and cut to shape once the turves have bound to
the soil - that way you'll get a cleaner edge to your pattern.

If you do decide to turf, it's best to order the turf rather than buy
what's already on display at the local garden centre - it may have
been on display for some time. OTOH, you may have difficulty getting
delivery quickly (you should preferably lay the turf within the next
3-4 weeks - before it gets too cold and ground freezes). In the
meantime, prepare the ground well, dig over and rake to give a fine,
level tilth. Rake in some general fertiliser such as Growmore while
you're at it.

Cheers, Jake


Thanks Jake for a very informative post, we shall read and digest, but from
what you say I think we shall wait until spring, we may decide to alter the
layout over winter!

Thanks again.

Sheila.