After. Fencing first, turf last — one of the few questions in garden work with no interesting answer.
Fencing first, turf last, always. Fencing involves digging, spoil, concrete, heavy materials carried across the plot and repeated traffic along the boundary. New turf survives none of it.
Turf is the finishing layer, for the same reason carpet goes down after the decorating is done.
| What happens | Result on new turf |
|---|---|
| Barrow across it | Ruts and torn seams |
| Spoil heaped on it | Yellowing and dead patches |
| Cement or mortar spill | Permanent — the pH change kills grass |
| Repeated foot traffic | Compaction and poor rooting |
| Materials stacked | Dead rectangles |
| Turf lifted and relaid | Rarely knits properly the second time |
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
On an established garden being improved in stages, there is no need to rush from one to the next. Fencing in autumn and turfing the following spring works very well — the boundary settles, any spoil is fully cleared, the ground has a winter to settle after levelling, and turf goes down in one of the two best seasons for establishing. It also spreads the cost, which is usually welcome.
See what our turfing service covers in Kingswood, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.
After, always. Fencing involves digging, spoil, concrete and repeated traffic across the plot, none of which new turf survives.
Ruts from barrows, torn seams, dead patches under spoil, and permanent damage anywhere cement is spilled.
At minimum, long enough for post concrete to set, spoil to be cleared and levelled ground to settle — usually days. A seasonal gap works well too.
Very. The boundary settles, spoil is fully cleared, the ground settles over winter, and turf goes down in one of the best seasons for establishing.
No. Set the level below the gravel board, so soil is not banked against the timber — the commonest avoidable cause of fence failure.
Partly, with boards and a defined access lane, but not perfectly. Tell us in advance and expect some repair.
Clearance, then trees and stumps, then fencing, then levelling, then turf last.
Around a fortnight as a guide, and longer in poor establishing conditions.
Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.
