The Ultimate Guide to Turf Laying

Laying turf in Queensland

If you are in the middle of a home project and are thinking that some new turf will create the look you are after – you have come to the right place! Laying turf can be incredibly satisfying, but you need to ensure you follow the correct steps to get the best outcome. Keep reading to find out more!

If at any point you become uncomfortable with laying your own turf, give Rosemount Turf a call and we would be happy to help!

Tips before you start

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

Always check the suitability of your chosen area before laying the turf – this is a crucial step that many people forget. The key things to take into consideration when checking include: 

1. How shaded the area is.
2. Whether the area will have access to water.
3. Accessibility for mowing after the turf is laid.

Step 1 

Choosing your Turf

The key to choosing the right turf is through researching the different varieties available in your area. Each type of turf is very different and each requires different levels of care, meaning it is worth seeking the advice of an expert when selecting your turf to ensure the grass you choose matches your particular usage.

Tip: Always take into account water levels, shading and wear and tear when choosing a turf variety.

Learn a little more about the different turf types available on the Sunshine Coast here and about how to know if you’re getting what you paid for here.

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 – have a chat to a professional if you are unsure. 

There are two key things to remember in this step:

1. Mix in nutrients with your soil to fill it with goodness for your new turf.
2. 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. Learn more about pH levels here.

Step Three 

Calculating how much turf you will need

There are a few things to consider when calculating how much turf you will need to cover your area:

• Calculate the amount of square metres 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.

Tip: Always add an additional 5% onto your total to cover for any amendments you might make.

Step Four

Preparing your backyard

In order to prepare your backyard for new grass you should:

• 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 and lay the turf as soon as it has arrived. Other points to consider include:

• 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 turfed area. You can do this using a cane knife and keep your spare pieces of grass until the whole turf job is complete.
• Roll the turf when you have finished and water the turf immediately.

Step Six 

Aftercare

These are the main points to consider when it comes to turf aftercare:

• Hydration is key! For the best results, keep your new lawn watered twice a day every day for the first 3 weeks. Learn more about ongoing watering maintenance here.
• 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 four-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. Everything you need to know about mowing can be found in this article.
• 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 using an NPK fertiliser, always ensuring you water after fertilising. It ultimately depends on the turf variety, however we recommend fertilising every 12 weeks or so – learn about all the fertiliser no-go’s here.
• 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 however, 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 – a little more can be found here.
• The appearance of seedheads can be fixed by watering and fertilising the turf often enough.

Do you have any tips and tricks that helped you when laying new turf? We’d love to hear from you!