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OUR WORK PROCESS.

step by step

sunday 09.04.2016
N1

Islington | lawn turfing

Information about the job

The lawn turfing you get from us will make your lawn look amazing. You will be pleased with the results our gardeners will deliver. They will literally breathe new life to your garden. This will be witnessed by everybody you invite in and they will be amazed by the great care you put in your garden. The great staff we will employ for the job will make sure that you get the absolute best lawn.

before

after

The job was completed within 7-8 hours by 2 gardeners. The price was calculated based on the sq.m provided by the client over the phone. Here you can see the area before the job started.

Planting a new lawn is a big job and it requires a few steps. Before starting, however, the new turf should be laid within 24 to 48 hours of delivery, which means that the preparation work should be carried out in advance of the turf arriving.

Here are the steps:

1. The first step is to remove poor - quality turf, which you can accomplish in several ways. 

2. Preparing the soil - Soil needed to be turned over to a depth of 15cm. This was achieved by using a rotavator. Our team checked and ensured that the area was free of any debris, stones, weeds, or old turf.

3. Raking - The ground should be raked over to produce a smooth surface. At this stage the ground may be lightly rolled or firmed by foot to reveal any soft areas which then can be raked levelly. This process should be carried out until the ground is evenly firm and smooth. A wide rake makes levelling easier. The ground should be firm but not compact.

4. Fertiliser - A pre-turfing fertiliser was applied over the soil.  

5. Laying the turf – Our team started by laying the first row along the longest straight line and worked across the area rotating the joints in each row – just as with brickwork.

6. Watering the turf - Newly laid turf must be watered within half an hour of installation.

Once the team finished with laying the turf, they watered it in order to check whether the water had seeped through the turf and into the soil below. They advised the client that watering must be repeated until the turf is established.

Recommendations:

  • Do not mow your new lawn until it has rooted. This can be easily checked by lifting a corner of the turf to see if the roots have attached to the soil.

  • Mow your new lawn often, each time removing a third of the grass height. Once established, the grass height can be reduced gradually to the desired level.

  • Feeding during the first 6 weeks will not be required as you have used a pre-turfing fertiliser.

Lawn Turfing

starting from £96


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in Islington we turf lawns using proven methods and a careful, step-by-step process to deliver a durable, natural-looking lawn. We assess soil, drainage, sun exposure, and existing turf to tailor a plan for your garden. Our team uses quality turf and professional equipment to ensure neat joints and reliable rooting. All work is carried out by DBS-checked, fully insured gardeners who prioritise safety. We provide clear quotations and realistic timelines, with open communication from the first site visit to finishing touches. Local residents also value our before-and-after photos from nearby Islington projects.

Handy Gardeners proudly serve Islington and nearby areas, with work available across several north and central London boroughs including Camden, Hackney, and Haringey. Nearby areas include: Islington (Islington), Holloway (Islington), Highbury (Islington), Canonbury (Islington), Dalston (Hackney), Hackney Central (Hackney), Crouch End (Haringey), Finsbury Park (Islington/Haringey), Kentish Town (Camden), Camden Town (Camden), Stoke Newington (Hackney), Hornsey (Haringey). We also service other neighbourhoods within easy reach on request and always tailor our schedule to your access needs and preferred times.

In Islington, Handy Gardeners apply professional turfing methods with specialist equipment to create even, resilient lawns that withstand daily wear well. We begin with a thorough site survey, checking soil structure, drainage, shade, and existing vegetation. Debris is cleared, the ground is graded for water flow, and we lay turf in tight joints, press it firmly, and water to establish root growth. With {experience} years of professional gardening services behind us, we tailor our approach to urban conditions and local microclimates. We finish with a light roll, care guidance, and a simple maintenance plan to keep your new lawn healthy. All work follows UK horticultural standards, and our DBS-checked team keeps disruption minimal.

Yes. Our Islington team is fully insured, and every gardener is DBS-checked and trained to the highest horticultural standards. Before any turfing starts, you receive a documented quote detailing scope, materials, and a realistic timetable. On site, our crew perform risk assessments, wear appropriate PPE, and adhere to current UK health and safety guidelines to protect you, your family, and your property. We also carry public liability insurance for peace of mind, and our team consistently demonstrates professionalism during soil preparation, turf laying, and aftercare.

Turnaround for turfing in Islington depends on garden size, site access, ground conditions, and weather. A small to medium lawn can be prepared, laid, and established within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on drying times after rain and the frequency of visits required for irrigation. Larger or more complex sites may need additional groundwork, more soil preparation, and extended watering schedules. We always provide a clear, written plan after the initial site survey and keep you updated with any schedule changes. Access, gate sizes, and proximity to public spaces can also affect how quickly we can complete the job.

Pricing for turfing is typically site-specific and depends on lawn size, soil condition, turf quality, and required aftercare. We offer transparent, written quotes after a no-obligation site visit, with a clear breakdown of materials, labour, delivery, and any ancillary works like drainage improvements or soil amendments. We avoid hidden charges and aim to set expectations from the start. If your garden has unusual access or requires contingency planning, we adjust the quotation accordingly and discuss the plan with you to keep everything straightforward and budget-friendly.

We prioritise eco-friendly lawn care by selecting sustainable turfing practices, using efficient irrigation, and applying eco-friendly fertilisers where appropriate. Our team is trained in modern horticultural techniques and follows schedules designed to minimise disruption to neighbours and wildlife in Islington. We emphasise safety, environmental responsibility, and continuous professional development, ensuring our DBS-checked gardeners meet high standards. For customers seeking even greener options, we can discuss soil improvement, organic weed control, and low-maintenance turf choices that suit urban settings.

We plan access routes before work starts, measuring gates and passageways to ensure equipment can reach the site without causing damage to your property or surrounding areas in Islington. If a space is narrow, we bring smaller tools and employ careful manual handling to protect plants, paving, and fencing. Our team maintains clear communication with you about expected times and any temporary restrictions in common areas. All staff are background-checked and trained in safe operation, and we tidy up thoroughly at the end of each visit.

We handle green waste responsibly by sorting, composting where possible, and disposing of excess material through licensed facilities. In Islington, we can advise on local recycling centres and council-approved composting options, helping you stay compliant with local guidelines. If you prefer, we can also reuse appropriate soil and turf residues on-site for garden bed prep or structural soil improvement. Our approach reduces waste, supports recycling initiatives, and keeps your outdoor space tidy during and after the turfing process.

We're proud to share a range of before-and-after photos from Islington projects along with customer feedback. You can read verified reviews on Trustpilot and Google Reviews, with some clients also posting helpful notes on Checkatrade. Our work highlights the care we put into soil prep, precise turf laying, and post-installation care, and we're happy to arrange references from recent Islington jobs if you'd like to speak with a neighbour who had similar work done.

All Handy Gardeners staff are DBS-checked and trained to industry standards, with ongoing professional development supported by accreditation bodies such as SafeContractor and the British Association of Landscape Industries. We emphasise practical skills in turfing, soil management, irrigation, and safety, ensuring consistent quality across Islington sites. We also use background-checked, insured teams who follow UK horticultural guidelines and maintain records of training and certifications for your peace of mind.

Choosing Handy Gardeners for Islington turfing means selecting a team with local knowledge, a hands-on approach, and a commitment to sustainable results. We tailor turfing plans to your space, traffic needs, and shade patterns, ensuring a durable lawn that thrives in urban conditions. Eco rating: {eco_rating} of gardening products and methods are eco-friendly and non-toxic. We also focus on efficient irrigation, careful soil preparation, and minimal disruption to neighbours, with our DBS-checked staff delivering reliable results. Our experience and local proof points reinforce trust for residents across Islington and nearby areas.
  • 100,000+ London Gardens Transformed
  • 11+ Years of Proven Gardening Experience
  • Trained, Vetted & Fully Insured Gardeners
  • 4.8 Rating from 181+ Verified Google Reviews

WHY CHOOSE HANDY GARDENERS


Excellent on Google
4.8 (203)

What Our Customers Say

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I appreciated their professionalism--very responsive and considerate with the changes we wanted. Highly recommended partners.

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Had flowerbed borders redone as a minor job. Wonderful service all around, highly efficient, got a realistic quote, polite customer service, and am very pleased with how it turned out.

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Gardening Services's team was very professional and easy to work with. They did a fantastic job. Really an excellent business.

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Highly satisfied with Landscape Gardeners. The team transformed my garden and stayed tidy throughout.

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HandyGardeners was fantastic from start to finish. Our front garden is now a beautiful, inviting spot that perfectly matches our vision.

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For a fresh start this spring, we used Garden Designers London for garden clean-up. Their work was impeccable and thorough.

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I'm grateful for Garden Designers London's thorough lawn treatment, attentive cleanup, and the informative aftercare advice. Such pleasant and efficient service.

R
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Great experience with this service: engaging communication, high-caliber work, and a balance of professionalism and friendliness. Highly recommended!

J
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My experience with Landscape Gardeners was fantastic. I needed lawn care, found someone right away, and the job was done by the next day. Superb service!

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Their team is always professional and reasonably priced. My property looks perfect every single time!

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