Laying Turf

[Ric.ror]

I am intending to dig up my back garden at the weekend and would like to relay with turf
Is this the correct thing to do at this time of year?

ALSO

I bought a fig tree (well it was a stick at the time) potted it up and it is now approx 1/2 metre and has approx 7 leaves - should I now prune right back to survive over winter or just leave and cover later when we have frosts

Many many thanks

[woofgang]

Leave and cover the fig tree. The turf question is iffy. Can you get fresh turf? what's the weather like round you now? You can lay turf any time from spring to autumn so long as you are prepared to water if its needed. You do know that you have to break the soil down to a fine tilth and make sure its level don't you?

[Ric.ror]

No I thought I could just lift the flags that are there now and flatten it down then lay the turf on top

[woofgang]

well you can but it will considerably reduce your chances of success. Do you know what is under the flags? You will need decent quality topsoil.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml