GINA PARKINSON shows how to lay down turf with the help of a breadknife from the kitchen.

AFTER weeks of hard work levelling and raking the area that was to become our new lawn, it was ready to be turfed last week.

I rang the supplier at 4.45pm on Wednesday to be cheerfully told that next day delivery was possible and the driver would be with me by 10am. As I had the day off this was perfect because the turf should be laid within 12 hours.

The evening was spent with last-minute raking and smoothing, followed by a good soaking of the earth so the grass wasn't going down on dry soil.

The lawn arrived as promised and was carried around to the back of the house and neatly placed as near to the area as possible.

Then, second best bread knife in hand, I set to work. I didn't divulge the knife bit to my husband who will find out as he reads this column but it was the best implement to use, the long serrated blade perfect for cutting through bread and soil.

It was surprisingly easy to lay the lawn. The delivery man had given me a few tips and the rest I had gleaned from books and TV programmes.

Apart from the initial soil preparation, the main rules seem to be: to lay the turves in a brickwork pattern so edges are staggered; to keep as many whole or large lengths as possible; to lay the strips over curves and cut into them rather than trying to stretch a piece into shape; and to try to keep small, filling-in areas in the centre of the lawn rather than at the edges, where they are more likely to dry out and die.

Then soak every day at least once, more in hot, dry weather.

Buying turf is more expensive than sowing seed but it does give an instant and satisfying effect. It is like putting down a new carpet after the hard graft of redecorating a room, the difference being that you have to wait before being allowed to walk or sit on it.

My turf came from Rowlawn in Elvington. It cost £4 per square metre including delivery to York, and is a hard-wearing type suitable for domestic gardens and landscaping. It arrived in good condition with the grass short and green with no bald spots or weeds and the earth damp. Next day delivery is usually possible if the driver is in the area.

Updated: 08:45 Saturday, May 22, 2004