If you want to quickly transform your home garden or lawn into a lush green space during the rainy season, you no longer need to wait for months for grass to grow from scratch. You can set up an entire lawn in a short time using readymade natural grass carpet rolls, a method also known as lawn turfing. This technique involves cutting pre-grown healthy grass along with its roots and a layer of soil into mat-like rolls. Navneet Rewapati shares an easy method to prepare and install these rolls right at your home.
Preparing the Soil Properly
Preparing the ground thoroughly is the most critical first step before laying down the grass carpet. Clear the soil completely of stones, weeds, and old roots to ensure a clean slate. Next, dig the earth to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches to loosen the soil structure. Mix good quality organic manure or vermicompost into the dirt and level the surface evenly. The more even and flat the ground is, the better and smoother the grass carpet will settle.
Making Grass Rolls Without Seeds
If you already have grass growing in a section of your property, you can easily harvest it to create your own carpet rolls. Water the targeted patch lightly a day before harvesting to retain moisture in the soil and protect the delicate roots. Use a sharp spade or turf cutter to slice the grass into neat strips. Ensure you retain a soil layer of about 1 inch along with the grass roots. Roll these strips up like a mat to form your ready-to-use grass carpets.
Laying Down the Turf Rolls
Once your grass rolls are prepared, avoid leaving them exposed to the elements for too long. Try to install them within 24 to 48 hours at the destination where you are building your new lawn. While laying the rolls, press the edges of adjacent strips tightly against each other so no gaps remain. If any minor cracks or spaces appear between the strips, fill them in with loose soil.
After placing all the rolls, gently press them down using a light lawn roller or your feet. This ensures that the soil attached to the bottom of the grass makes firm contact with the ground, helping the roots anchor securely into their new environment.
Managing Water and Initial Care
Water the newly laid carpet thoroughly right after installation. Maintaining consistent moisture in the soil during the early days is crucial for survival. Continue watering regularly based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels to let the new roots spread deep into the ground.
The fresh grass needs adequate time to anchor firmly into the soil bed. Therefore, avoid walking on the new lawn for the first 2 to 3 weeks to give the roots enough time to gain strength without disturbance.
First Mowing and Long-Term Maintenance
Once the grass has rooted properly and grown to a height of about 3 inches, you can perform its first trimming. Avoid cutting the grass too short during this initial mow. Periodic cutting, adequate watering, and timely manuring will keep your lawn vibrant and green for a long period.
According to Navneet Rewapati, growing grass from seeds requires significant time and effort, making natural grass carpet rolls an ideal alternative for people who want to convert their gardens into green lawns quickly without waiting for seeds to sprout and mature.
