A Practical Guide to Turf Installation

Laying turf in Queensland

Laying turf is a task best left until last of your landscaping work is done. This prevents the possibility of unnecessary wear and tear in the early stages of growth.

It is always crucial to check the suitability of your chosen area before laying the turf. The key things to take into consideration are: how shaded the area is, whether the area will have access to water and accessibility when mowing the turf after laying.

Step One: Choosing your Turf

• The key to getting this right is through researching the different types of turf that are available. Each type of turf is very different and each requires different levels of care.
• It is worth seeking the advice of an expert when selecting your turf to ensure the grass you choose matches your particular usage.
• Always take into account water levels, shading and wear and tear.

Choosing the right lawn for your yard

Step Two: Preparing the base for your new turf

• If you already have a sand-based soil, this is the perfect underlay for your new turf. Some soils may have more of a clay base and can be mixed in with a sand-based soil to become less compact. 
• Mix in nutrients with your soil to fill it with goodness for your new turf!
• Test the PH levels of your base by testing the levels. You should have a PH number of between 5.5 and 7, however the PH can be adjusted through treatment if needed.

Step Three: Finding out how much turf you will need

• Calculate the amount of square meters within your area.
• A handy tip when doing this is to measure the amounts by breaking your area into sections/shapes.
• You should then add the shapes together to get a total.
• Add an additional 5% onto your total to cover for any amendments you might make.

Step Four: Preparing your backyard

• Treat the base 2-3 times using a herbicide treatment. This will eradicate any existing plantation.
• Using a hoe, check the soil for any plants that may be under the soil.
• Ensure you have followed the correct steps and have a suitable base with the correct PH before laying. Add your underlay at this stage if you have one.
• Leave around 35mm of room for the thickness of the grass.
• Fertilise and rake your base to evenly spread the treatment, keeping in mind any potential drainage when smoothing out your soil.

Step Five: Laying your new turf

• Make sure you have prepared your surface well.
• Lay the turf as soon as it has arrived.
• Keep your turf watered throughout the process to prevent any dryness.
• Start your turf at the entry of the garden, laying it back to the exit to prevent any damage when stepping on the turf.
• Lay your turf on a straight edge and lay in a bricklike pattern. Any turf laid on a slope should be laid lengthways.
• Cut around plants and furniture to tidy up your turf around. You can do this using shears or a spade. Keep your spare pieces of grass until the whole turf is complete.
• Roll the turf when you have finished and water the turf immediately.

Step Six: Aftercare

• Hydration is Key! For the best results, keep your new lawn watered once a day every day for the first 3 weeks.
• Yellow edges? Don’t panic! This is normal in the first few weeks of having a new turf.
• Avoid stepping over the lawn too much whilst it roots into the base in the first month.
• The best time to mow your new turf is at the 4 week mark as this is when the turf will be properly rooted within its base. Ensure you double check the turf has rooted before mowing.
• The best way to mow? You should mow on a high setting at first and decrease this after 2-3 mows to your ideal height.
• Water your new turf at least twice a week to keep it hydrated and healthy.
• After 6 weeks, your turf should be looking healthy. To keep this fresh and healthy look, you should fertilise your new lawn after 6 weeks (and every 8-10 weeks thereafter) using an NPK fertilizer, always ensuring you water after fertilising.
• If you have any queries about your beautiful new turf, please contact us!

Step Seven: Things to keep in mind

• Be mindful and take care of your turf when there is heavy rain. Ensure no water sits above the grass. If you start off with the right soil base, you shouldn’t have any problems.
• If your lawn becomes discolored or thin, it is trying to tell you that it’s thirsty! If these things happen, make sure you are watering the turf on a regular basis.
• The appearance of seedheads can be fixed by watering and fertilizing the turf often enough.