How to prepare soil before laying turf

The single most important factor is soil structure. Clay softens with watering, compacts under foot traffic, then dries out — which suffocates the root zone. It also holds too much water at the roots, so sunny patches get fungal disease and shaded patches go mossy. The ideal soil structure for turf is sandy or sandy-loam. Before spreading any soil, finish all sub-grade work: drainage, irrigation lines, gas and electrical conduits. Once the underground is sealed, spread the topsoil, soak it thoroughly, and run a light roller over it to consolidate. Set out the levels and falls for the garden, water again, and roll once more — at that point the soil prep is done and you're ready to lay turf.