Preparing the soil before laying lawn: essential steps

The preparation steps

1. Fully weed the plot, including weed roots
2. Remove any stones, rubble and construction debris
3. Loosen the soil to 10-15 cm with a spade or tiller
4. Level carefully to avoid dips that would hold water
5. Add an amendment (compost or potting soil) if the soil is poor or very sandy
6. Tamp lightly then water the day before laying to moisten the soil

Special case of clay or very sandy soils

Clay soil retains too much water and needs to be lightened with coarse sand and compost. Very sandy soil, on the other hand, drains too fast and benefits from added potting soil to retain the moisture young roots need.