How to Install Your New Grass
Buffalo Grass | Kikuyu Grass | Couch Grass
While we are expert turf suppliers and are happy to do any size of turf laying job, some customers choose to lay their couch, kikuyu or buffalo grass by themselves. If you’re planning to do your own turf installation, follow our instructions for the best results.
Step 1 - Prepare the ground
Before installing your turf, ensure the ground is prepared. This can be achieved by levelling with a bobcat (for larger areas) or using a metal hand rake for small areas in residential yards.
Before installing your turf, ensure the ground is prepared. This can be achieved by levelling with a bobcat (for larger areas) or using a metal hand rake for small areas in residential yards.
Step 2 - Remove debris
While you’re levelling the surface, be sure to remove any rocks, debris or imperfections in the ground, to ensure a good-looking turf. This will also make the task of mowing your new lawn much easier.
While you’re levelling the surface, be sure to remove any rocks, debris or imperfections in the ground, to ensure a good-looking turf. This will also make the task of mowing your new lawn much easier.
Step 3 - Top soil
If your soil lacks sufficient organic matter, top soil or turf underlay may need to be installed before laying your turf. If top soil is required, the recommended thickness to be spread is 100mm, or four inches. Typically around two tonnes of turf underlay soil or topsoil is needed per 25 square metres of lawn. Please consult with our team when ordering for more information.
If your soil lacks sufficient organic matter, top soil or turf underlay may need to be installed before laying your turf. If top soil is required, the recommended thickness to be spread is 100mm, or four inches. Typically around two tonnes of turf underlay soil or topsoil is needed per 25 square metres of lawn. Please consult with our team when ordering for more information.
Step 4 - Irrigation system
If underground irrigation is to be installed, now is the time - after all ground preparations have been finalised.
If underground irrigation is to be installed, now is the time - after all ground preparations have been finalised.
Step 5 - Laying the edges
Start laying your turf, starting from one edge such a building wall or fence, and working your way to where the turf edge stops – eg a footpath, roadside kerb or edge of a driveway. Laying the turf in this fashion tends to reduce trampling of the turf as you install it – eg from wheelbarrows and foot traffic.
Start laying your turf, starting from one edge such a building wall or fence, and working your way to where the turf edge stops – eg a footpath, roadside kerb or edge of a driveway. Laying the turf in this fashion tends to reduce trampling of the turf as you install it – eg from wheelbarrows and foot traffic.
Step 6 - Laying to the centre
While rolling out your turf, be sure to keep the rows tight together, as gaps promote weed growth.
While rolling out your turf, be sure to keep the rows tight together, as gaps promote weed growth.
Step 7 - Filling the gaps
You will eventually get to the stage where you need to cut to fill in gaps. Using a Stanley knife, cut from the underside of the turf roll for easier cutting. HINT: Avoid inserting small sections of lawn along the edges, as they tend to dry out - which then leads to establishment problems. Instead, lay a full width of turf on all edges, and insert your smaller in-fill sections in between two complete rows.
You will eventually get to the stage where you need to cut to fill in gaps. Using a Stanley knife, cut from the underside of the turf roll for easier cutting. HINT: Avoid inserting small sections of lawn along the edges, as they tend to dry out - which then leads to establishment problems. Instead, lay a full width of turf on all edges, and insert your smaller in-fill sections in between two complete rows.
Step 8 - Check for imperfections
Once the job is complete, look over the entire area for any imperfections. Your end result should look something similar to this.
Once the job is complete, look over the entire area for any imperfections. Your end result should look something similar to this.
Step 9 - Water it in
Your final step is to water. The water must penetrate the roll at least to the ground below. Check the turf is moist every day, by lifting the turf and seeing if there is moisture under the rolls. In spring or summer you may need to water twice a day for a couple of weeks. In autumn you may only need to water every three or four days. Keep checking the moisture level until you are unable to lift the roll up anymore.
Your final step is to water. The water must penetrate the roll at least to the ground below. Check the turf is moist every day, by lifting the turf and seeing if there is moisture under the rolls. In spring or summer you may need to water twice a day for a couple of weeks. In autumn you may only need to water every three or four days. Keep checking the moisture level until you are unable to lift the roll up anymore.