At Sherborne Turf we pride ourselves on the quality of the turf we provide all year round, supplying our customers with excellent turf whenever they need it. As a rule of thumb we say, if you are able to prepare the ground, we are able to supply the turf. However, as responsible turf producers, we feel it necessary to point out some of the pitfalls to laying turf in hot, dry conditions.
The ground needs to be completely prepared beforehand so the turf can be laid straight away. We always lift our turf on the morning of delivery so it will arrive with you as fresh as possible, and this is especially important during dry or hot periods. As such, it should be laid as quickly as possible in order to prevent the turf from drying out.
If the ground is very dry, it is a good idea to water the ground before putting the turf down. Newly laid turf must be absolutely saturated initially, and then kept damp for 2-4 weeks until the lawn is well established. In the absence of any significant rainfall, you will need to constantly water the turf for the first week, and then daily every morning and evening. Read our full guidelines regarding laying turf in hot and dry conditions here.
In the UK, a drought is defined as 15 consecutive days, on none of which is there more than 0.2mm of rain. However, it does not need to be an absolute drought for our lawns to suffer. It is very easy to underestimate the amount of water required, but it is worth remembering that during hot dry spells, our gardens can be dry up to six inches, and it can take an hour for water to soak down just one inch—that really is a lot of water! Sprinkler systems are good, but they do not cover the entire lawn. In particular, pay attention to the roll edges which will dry out first.
A potential help in this situation is the use of ZEBA Water Retention Granules applied to the soil before laying the turf at 10 grams per m2. After laying the turf, water thoroughly to start hydrating the ZEBA granules. Water again after 2-3 hours to ensure full hydration. Please note: ZEBA is designed to stay put as they become hydrated, meaning the gentle swelling will not disturb your new lawn. By using ZEBA you can reduce the need to water by up to 33%, saving you a lot of time and money.
Find out more about ZEBA here.
We want you to be entirely happy with your lawn, and if you are unable to keep it watered, it may be best to just enjoy the sunshine and wait for a break in the weather before laying turf. Sherborne Turf will still be here, and we will be more than happy to supply you with our quality Trent Turf when conditions are more favourable.
Whatever you decide to do, the key is to keep the grass hydrated. Whether you use a sprinkler system, or spray it with a hose, try to water regularly, preferably early in the morning or later on in the evening when it is not too hot in order improve the efficiency of the water retention. (It is OK to water during the day, but the water will be more likely to evaporate in the heat before entering the soil).
Please note: our usual guarantee does not apply where turf is laid against our recommendation.
Download our guide here.
