Step 1: Measure Your Lawn
You can't order turf without knowing how much you need. Measure your lawn's length and width in metres and multiply them together. For irregular shapes, split the area into rectangles and add the totals.
Add 10% for wastage on a standard rectangular lawn. Add 15% if your lawn has curved borders, island beds, or awkward obstacles. See our turf calculator for an instant estimate with UK pricing.
Example: A 10m × 8m lawn is 80m². With 10% wastage, order 88m² — round up to 90m².
Step 2: Choose Your Turf Grade
Most UK suppliers offer three grades:
| Grade | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / utility | £3–4/m² | High-traffic areas, back gardens, children's play areas |
| Standard / multi-purpose | £4–6/m² | Most domestic lawns — best balance of appearance and durability |
| Premium / ornamental | £6–9/m² | Front gardens, low-traffic show lawns, shaded areas |
If you have dogs or children, stick with standard or utility grade — the ryegrass content handles wear. If appearance is the priority and the lawn gets gentle use, premium is worth it.
Step 3: Choose Your Supplier
Compare at least two or three suppliers before ordering. The key factors:
- Coverage: Confirm they deliver to your postcode. Not all 'nationwide' suppliers reach Scotland or Wales
- Delivery timing: When is the earliest slot? Can they deliver on your preferred day?
- Total cost: Turf price per m² plus delivery charge. Calculate the full order total before committing
- Freshness: Grower-direct suppliers (Online Turf, Harrowden Turf, Charlton & Jenrick) cut to order, which means shorter time between cutting and laying
Our supplier comparison guide covers the main UK options in detail. Our top pick for most UK customers is Quality Garden Supplies, which has 13,500+ Trustpilot reviews and a 4.8/5 rating.
You can also browse turf suppliers by delivery area to see which suppliers cover your specific location.
Step 4: Book Your Delivery Date
This is the step most people get wrong. They prepare the ground first, then try to book a delivery — only to find the nearest available slot is five days away. Exposed, prepared soil dries out, crusts over, and you're back to preparation again.
Always book your delivery slot first, then plan your ground preparation to finish the day before the delivery.
During peak season (April–May and August–September), popular delivery slots book up 5–7 days in advance. If you're planning spring turfing, order 2 weeks ahead.
Step 5: Plan Your Ground Preparation
Ground preparation should be completed the day before delivery — never more than 24 hours before the turf arrives.
The preparation steps in brief:
- Remove old lawn or vegetation completely
- Rotavate or fork the top 150mm of soil
- Incorporate any soil improvers (sharp sand for clay, compost for sandy soil)
- Level, firm, and rake to a fine tilth
- Apply pre-turf fertiliser and lightly rake in
See our full soil preparation guide and how to lay turf guide for detailed instructions.
Step 6: Prepare for Delivery Day
Most turf arrives on a pallet or loose load. The delivery driver will typically bring it to the kerbside — they won't carry it into your garden. Make sure you have a plan for moving the turf quickly once it arrives.
Before the delivery arrives:
- Check the access route. Can a lorry get close to your garden gate?
- Clear any obstructions — cars on the drive, wheelie bins, garden furniture
- Have a hosepipe ready and connected to an outside tap
- Have laying boards or an old door ready to work from
- Know exactly where you're starting — have the first straight edge identified
If you can't lay the turf the same day, move the rolls to a shaded spot immediately. Never leave them stacked in direct sunlight.
Step 7: Lay the Turf the Same Day
Fresh turf is a perishable product. Once cut, it begins to deteriorate. In summer, rolls left stacked heat up internally within hours. Yellowing starts within a day, and dead turf within two days.
The rule: lay the same day as delivery, or at absolute worst the next morning.
For the full laying instructions, see our how to lay turf guide.
Step 8: Water Immediately and Daily for Two Weeks
The most common reason new turf fails is not enough water in the first two weeks. New turf has no root contact with the soil beneath — it can't draw moisture up. You have to water from the top, regularly, until the roots establish.
- Water thoroughly immediately after laying each section
- Water daily for the first two weeks — enough to soak through to the soil
- In hot or dry spells, water twice daily
- Check by lifting a corner: if the soil underneath is moist, you're doing it right
See our watering guide for new turf for a week-by-week schedule.
Common Ordering Mistakes to Avoid
Ordering too little — Always add your wastage allowance before placing the order. A second delivery means a second delivery charge.
Not checking delivery surcharges — Some postcodes attract a premium charge. Always enter your full postcode when getting a quote, not just your town.
Ordering too early — Turf cut weeks in advance and held in cold storage is not the same as freshly cut. Use a supplier that cuts to order or book a delivery date close to when you need it.
Ignoring the weather forecast — Don't lay turf in a heatwave you can't water through, or on frozen ground. Check the forecast for your delivery week and adjust if needed.
Not confirming the order — After placing online, check your email confirmation and verify the delivery date. During peak season, misunderstandings happen. A quick call to confirm 48 hours before delivery avoids most problems.