Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Soil for Your Instant Turf

12 Jul Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Soil for Your Instant Turf

Choosing the right soil for your instant turf is crucial to ensure a healthy, vibrant lawn. Here, we’ll cover the key factors to consider, including how to choose a well-draining soil, ensuring your soil has the right pH level testing, as well as preparing your soil for turf.

Choosing Well Draining Soil for Your Instant Turf

To promote healthy turf, it’s important to choose a well draining soil. Free draining soils are perfect for instant turf because they are less likely to become compact than other organic and soils. For best results, use an 80/20 mix: 80% sand and 20% soil. This will support healthy root growth, and allow your turf to absorb water and oxygen.

Speak to one of our experts at Australian Seed and Turf for expert advice in choosing the right soil for your turf.

Testing the pH Level of Your Soil

Ensuring your soil has an optimal pH level is a crucial part of any lawn maintenance, but especially when preparing for new turf. Testing your soil using a pH test kit is an easy way to get an idea of where your soil is currently at.

A good soil for turf should be neutral or slightly acidic, within the pH range of 5 to 6.5. Anything outside of this range could be too alkaline or too acidic. Having the right pH is about creating the right environment for the nutrients in the soil to thrive, which in turn helps to promote the growth of your turf.

Preparing Your Soil for Turf

When laying fresh turf down, it’s crucial to prepare your soil properly for the best results. Doing this means your soil will be able to drain well, prevent it from becoming compact, and allow you to avoid any issues relating to pH and fertility.

You can prepare your soil by removing sticks and debris, as well as any old grass or weeds. You can remove weeds by hand, but if you’d prefer to do it quicker, you can use a herbicide. The next step is to loosen the soil to a depth of 10 – 15 cm using a rotary hoe or garden fork, and then lightly compact the soil before laying down your turf. This is important for root growth and improving soil aeration.

For more information, check out our step-by-step guide to DIY turf installation, or contact us at Australian Seed and Turf. Our seasoned turf and soil professionals will help you achieve the lawn of your dreams!