Is your garden waiting for some turf love? Don’t just take it easy this summer, give your lawn a new lease of life

July can be a funny month. That first glorious rush of spring growth is over, the garden has come back to life with a bang, everything has gone mad and it’s bursting with colour.

Just keeping it in check – watering, weeding, pruning and feeding – can be a full-time job. If you are not careful, you’ll find yourself slogging away just to stay where you are.

And while there is nothing wrong with that, it’s good to have a mid-summer shake-up.

So I’ve got two perfect projects to keep your garden in tip-top condition over the summer – taking care of your grass and borders.

And it’s likely your lawn is in need of some love. After all, most of us take grass for granted without realising it can be just as responsive to care and attention as other garden plants.

If yours is looking a bit patchy, or it’s overgrown with weeds, how about laying new turf? It can be great fun and no more difficult than putting down a new carpet.

Laying turf is faster than reseeding and it will give you a luxurious instant lawn after building work or general garden refurbishment.

First, remove the old turf and topsoil using a spade, digging into the soil to the depth of an ordinary garden fork. Break up large clods of earth and remove roots, rocks and other debris. Then use a fine rake to create a nice even finish.

Add a granular fertiliser that will break down over time and nourish the new grass roots.

Mark the edges using string and pegs to line up the new turf.

The good news is that most garden centres will deliver turf, because it is heavy. And remember to find out when your local garden centre is getting a delivery because after three days rolled up, turf will crack and then start to rot and you want it as fresh as possible.

If your project is delayed, unroll the turf and water it.

You will need a decentsized plank or two to work on. Start from the edge and lay your first roll. Then place a plank over it so you can work forwards without causing damage.

Then, work your way right across the lawn, laying the rolls into a kind of brickwork pattern.

Once you have laid the turf, use a stiff brush to remove any soil debris. Then water it using a sprinkler so the soil beneath the new turf gets a decent enough soaking. It will need to be kept moist for the first few weeks to ensure the roots take. Watch out for the edges curling up and drying out.

You can remedy any bulges or dips by rolling up that section and then filling or flattening.

Feed with a fertiliser to encourage root and leaf growth and keep children and pets off the new turf while it beds in to protect it. You should be able to cut your lawn after two weeks – but raise the mower blade to avoid damaging it.