Preparation & Installation

Measuring and Ordering

Measure the proposed lawn area in square metres before ordering.
If you have an irregular shaped lawn, draw it up as accurately as you can and then divide it into any combination of the shapes below.
Calculate the area of each shape and then add these amounts together to determine the final area.
Schedule your turf arrival or pick up once site preparations are completed.

Before you can start preparing the soil on the site of a new lawn, first it will be necessary to remove any old grass and/or weeds.
This can be done either by hand or with a non-residual herbicide like Roundup, Glyphosate or Zero Weed Spray. When used according to directions, these products will kill the existing grass. These herbicides do not kill seeds in the soil that may germinate at a later date.
Remember to wear suitable protective clothing and take care not to spray near gardens or allow the spray to drift onto them.

White, grey and yellow sands: water and nutrient capacity is increased by incorporating 50mm of a suitable blended soil or using organic manures, preferably one large bag of pelletized chicken manure to 50 sq metres of lawn.
Rocky limestone sands: should be prepared as above and should not be less than 25cms deep above sheet rock. If soil is to be added use a Special Lawn Blend available from soil companies which requires no further additives.
Red and black loam sands: are usually naturally fertile and require little amendment.
Gravels and clays: can be covered with sandy loam or Special Lawn Blend to a depth of 50mm to obtain a smooth gradable surface. Add gypsum to heavy clays to improve friability and drainage.

Cultivate the soil to 10cms, removing sticks and other debris.
Water the prepared site thoroughly to settle soil and provide a moist base for turf installation.
Spread Australian Seed & Turf Starter Fertiliser evenly over the whole area @ 2.5kg/100m sq. See Fertiliser section for pricing.
Level, roll or lightly compact leaving a uniform surface 20-30mm below hard surfaces, paving etc., Set irrigation sprinklers level with the soil surface to avoid damage at future renovations (de-thatching).

Begin installing the turf along any straight edged path or driveway. As you go, walk on the turf so you do not disrupt the level soil surface.
If you have part of a roll left over at the end of a row, use a large knife (i.e. bread knife) or spade to neatly cut off the remaining turf and use this to start on the next row. This will give a staggering of the joins similar to paving.
Make sure all joins are butted tightly together.
After installing each section water in well and roll with a heavy roller or compact with a brick paving compactor to leave a consolidated and smooth mowing surface.
Always ensure you keep the turf moist.

Additional hand watering is often required between your allowable watering times to ensure the turf does not stress in the warmer months.

Our Standard Roll

Dimensions:
460mm Wide x 2200mm Long x 30mm (approx) Thick = 1.00m² per Roll

0-10 days	Use 10minutes (5mm) three times a day in the morning, noon and evening. One extra watering is required if periods exceed temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius.
11-20 days	Use 10minutes (5mm) twice a day morning and noon.
21-60 days	Use 20minutes (10mm) once per day in the morning.
Over 60 days	Use 40 minutes (20mm) every second morning. In exceptionally hot weather periods use 20 minutes (10mm) once per day in the morning.

0-10days	Use 10minutes (5mm) twice a day in the morning and at noon.
11-20 days	Use 20minutes (10mm) once a day in the morning.
21-60 days	Use 40 minutes (20mm) every second morning. In exceptionally hot weather periods use 20minutes (10mm) once per day in the morning.

0-7 days	Use 10minutes (5mm) once every day in the morning.
8-20 days	Use 10minutes (5mm) once every second day in the morning.
21-60 days	Use 10minutes (5mm) once every third day in the morning.

Remember if it rains turn the irrigation system off. Too much water and not enough sun can rot your grass.

Once your lawn is established – in excess of 60 days – revert to the tips on our watering page.

Mow your new lawn between 7-14 days from installation if installing in an active growing period, (if installing in Winter this timeframe will not be so frequent, once a month is usually sufficient).
Thereafter, mow every 7-10 days depending on the variety and growth rate of the lawn.
Never remove more than one third of the leaf at any given mowing, If your lawn has become excessively long, mow at the highest setting, gradually lowering mower height with each subsequent mowing.
The correct mowing height will vary depending on the variety of turf you have installed, the time of the year and the growth rate. For further advice ask your mowing contractor or our consultants.
During warmer months an increase in mowing height is recommended for healthier lawn.
Avoid mowing wet grass and always keep your mower blades sharp.