How to Properly Transport Turf During a Move

With proper techniques, you can relocate your turf, so your new yard looks lush without having to wait for bare patches to fill in or having to spend hours trying to eradicate invasive weeds.

Relocating turf is not as daunting as it seems. While you can hire a professional to do the job, anyone with the right tools and a smart plan can remove, relocate, and reinstall turf in a cost-effective manner.

When you relocate turf, you can enjoy a beautiful yard in no time! Whether you want to move a large section of turf or relocate smaller patches to fill in bare spots, follow the steps given ahead to achieve great results.

Transporting your lawn presents some unique challenges when compared to a traditional move. When you’re unpacking your possessions, for example, you can do that on your own time. With turf, you’ve got a finite amount of time to transport and install.

The new area you plan to lay the turf will need some prep work. Having this area ready to go makes the project move quickly, and prevents the cut turf from drying out.

Use a tiller on the ground to loosen the dirt. Add in organic compost material or other fertilizer to allow your turf transplant to get a jump-start on root development into the new soil.

Mow the existing turf, and mark off straight sections a half meter wide and a meter long using marking paint. Marking your lines prevents jagged sections, which make it hard to piece the turf back together nicely in the new location.

This size makes each section of turf easier to remove, roll, and maneuver to your trailer and install in your new yard.

For this step, use a square shovel with a sharp blade. Using your foot, push the shovel blade straight down along the entire edge of your turf segment.

You should feel the blade give resistance through the grass and root section to help guide you to the proper depth.

Once you cut the perimeter of your turf segment, lay the shovel blade flat along the short edge of the turf section and start pushing and prying up underneath the roots, rolling the segment as you work.

Try to keep the depth of each layer even across the entire segment, to prevent dips in your new lawn.

Keep each roll as tight as possible to lessen the risk of damage or tears, then move the roll to your transport vehicle. Try not to layer too many rolls on top of each other, as the weight may be harmful. Cover the turf sections to keep them from drying out.

When reinstalling your lawn, it’s extremely important to follow the best practices of lawn care to ensure that the lawn takes to the new soil. Start laying your turf sections on the prepped soil in the new location. Run the turf segments in a straight line, butting the ends and edges together tightly.

Once the new turf is in place, run a weighted roller or a lawn mower over the area to tamp the segments into the soil.

Water the turf once or twice a day for six weeks so the roots can establish in the new soil. Refrain from walking over the relocated turf for several weeks to ensure ideal results.