A lawn that is patchy, full of moss or never really took after the house was built is an irritation every single day. Usually the cause is not the seed but the soil: compacted, too acidic, too wet or too poor. Gala Bau Kurt builds lawns in Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, Schwelm, Ennepetal, Meerbusch, Cologne and throughout NRW so that they stay dense for the long term.
You can choose between turf (Rollrasen) for an instantly green result and a seeded lawn as the cheaper alternative – we advise you honestly on what suits the area, the way you use it and your budget, in English as well as German and Turkish. After the free on-site visit you receive a fixed-price quote with every item listed, from stripping out the old sward to disposal.
What we do for lawns and turf
The complete build-up or individual steps – from a terraced-house garden to a large villa plot.
-
Laying turf
Fresh turf sods from the turf farm, laid, rolled in and watered on the day of delivery.
-
New lawns from seed
Fine levelling and sowing of certified RSM seed mixtures (Regelsaatgutmischung) for sun, shade or dry positions.
-
Soil preparation & levelling
Stripping the old sward, loosening the ground 15–20 cm deep, working in lawn topsoil and sand, grading and rolling.
-
Lawn renovation
Scarifying, aerating, sand top dressing, overseeding and feeding – whenever the existing lawn can still be saved.
-
Moss and weed control
Treating the causes: checking the pH, liming, breaking up compaction and feeding to a plan.
-
Lawn edges & robot mower preparation
A hollow-free level surface, mowing edges in lawn edging stones and border strips for the robot mower.
How we build a lawn that lasts
A good lawn is 80 % about what happens below the surface. We work to the principles of DIN 18915 (soil works) and DIN 18917 (lawns and seeding): the old sward, roots and any building rubble come out, then we loosen the soil 15–20 cm deep with a rotavator. Heavy clay soils are opened up with sand, thin sandy soils are enriched with lawn topsoil (Rasenerde). After that we pull off the fine grade (Feinplanum) and roll it, so that no hollows form later.
Turf is always laid on the day it is delivered, because the rolls heat up on the pallet. The strips go down in a staggered bond – offset like brickwork – tight against one another on soil dressed with starter fertiliser, then they are rolled in and watered straight away. For sown lawns we use certified seed mixtures such as RSM 2.3 (hard-wearing utility lawn) or RSM 2.2 for dry positions, at 20–25 g/m² and from a soil temperature of roughly 8–10 °C.
Turf or a seeded lawn – which suits you?
Turf takes normal use after about two weeks, is weed-free and closed from the first day – ideal if children or dogs need the lawn quickly or a house sale is coming up. A seeded lawn costs around half as much, but needs six to ten weeks before it can be used and rather more attention with watering at the start; in shady positions, on the other hand, the mixture can be matched to the site far more precisely.
- Turf: green immediately, walkable after around 14 days, laid March to October on frost-free ground
- Seeded lawn: cheaper, mixed to suit the exact position, best sown April–May and September–October
- Renovation: worthwhile when more than half of the area still consists of healthy lawn grasses
Lawns in the Bergisches Land and on the Rhine plain
In Wuppertal, Schwelm and Ennepetal we meet shallow, stony and mostly acidic soils over slate and greywacke, together with 1,100 to 1,200 mm of rain a year and a great many sloping plots. Moss and waterlogging (Staunässe) are the main enemies here: we check the pH value (target 5.5–6.5), lime where needed, build a free-draining base layer and pin turf on banks with wooden pegs.
In Düsseldorf, Meerbusch and Cologne the gardens sit on the loamy sands of the lower terrace or on river loam near the Rhine. Those soils dry out quickly in summer, and the lawns in Büderich, Oberkassel or Rodenkirchen are often large. Here we choose drought-tolerant mixtures, work in moisture-retaining lawn topsoil and, if you wish, plan an automatic irrigation system in at the same time.
The best season – and the tax relief
The best times for a new lawn and for sowing are April to May and September to October: warm soil, moderate evaporation. Turf we lay from March to October whenever the ground is frost-free, and in high summer only where watering is guaranteed.
On tax: routine lawn care counts as a household-related service (haushaltsnahe Dienstleistung) under § 35a of the German Income Tax Act (§ 35a EStG) – 20 % of the labour costs, up to €4,000 per year. A new lawn or turf laid in an existing garden counts as a tradesman's service (Handwerkerleistung) at 20 % of the labour costs, up to €1,200 per year. We show labour and material costs separately on the invoice.
How your new lawn comes about
- 01
Site visit & soil check
We look at the area, the soil, the light and the drainage, and take the measurements.
- 02
Fixed-price quote
Clear line items: stripping out, soil improvement, turf or seed, laying, disposal.
- 03
Soil preparation
Strip the old sward, rotavate, bring in lawn topsoil, pull the fine grade and roll.
- 04
Laying or sowing
Turf laid in a staggered bond and rolled in on the delivery day – or sowing with the spreader.
- 05
Establishment & handover
The first watering and a care plan for the opening weeks; on request we do the first cut for you.
What does turf or a new lawn cost?
The price depends above all on the condition of the soil, on access and on the size of the area. Typical ranges in our region (incl. VAT):
| Scope of work | Costs & Prices |
|---|---|
| Turf, complete (soil preparation, turf, laying) | approx. €18–45 per m² |
| Turf material (sods, delivered) | approx. €4–12 per m² |
| Sowing a lawn incl. soil preparation | approx. €6–15 per m² |
| Scarifying incl. overseeding & feed | approx. €1.50–2.50 per m² |
| Example: 100 m² of turf, turnkey | approx. €2,500–3,500 |
Stripping out the old sward and disposing of the spoil are calculated by quantity and shown as separate items in the quote.
All figures are non-binding guide prices incl. VAT. The final price depends on area, access, materials and effort. You will receive a binding fixed-price quote after a free on-site visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Turf or a seeded lawn – which is better?
Turf can be used after about two weeks, is weed-free and looks finished straight away, but costs roughly twice as much. A seeded lawn is cheaper and can be matched exactly to shade or dry conditions, though it needs six to ten weeks. At the site visit we will tell you honestly which option suits your garden.
What does it cost to have turf laid, per square metre?
Including soil preparation, the turf itself and the laying, the guide figures are around €18–45 per m² incl. VAT; for 100 m², roughly €2,500–3,500 is realistic. It becomes more expensive where a lot has to be stripped out or the soil needs substantial improvement.
When is the best time to lay turf or sow a lawn?
April to May and September to October are ideal: warm soil and moderate evaporation. Turf can go down from March to October as long as the ground is frost-free, in high summer only with daily watering; sowing needs soil temperatures from about 8–10 °C upwards.
How long must newly laid turf stay untrodden?
Around two weeks, until the sods have rooted. During that time water daily with 15–20 litres per m², ideally early in the morning. The first cut follows after 7–14 days at a height of 6–8 cm – after that the lawn can be used normally.
My lawn is full of moss – renovation or a new lawn?
If more than half of the area still consists of healthy lawn grasses, a renovation is usually enough: scarifying, liming, sand top dressing, overseeding and feeding. If the soil is compacted or water is standing, a new lawn with a proper soil build-up is cheaper in the long run – we quote you both prices.
Can I claim turf laying and lawn care against my tax?
Yes, under § 35a EStG: lawn care as a household-related service at 20 % of the labour costs up to €4,000 per year, and a new lawn or turf in an existing garden as a tradesman's service at 20 % up to €1,200 per year. You need an invoice showing the labour costs separately and payment by bank transfer.