Soil
Conditioning
It is recommended that the area to be laid is sprayed with Glyphosate to remove all weeds.
Be sure to use correct protective gear when spraying and leave for a minimum of 7, preferably 14, days prior to laying turf.
On most occasions it is not necessary to improve the
soil. If you feel you would like to go the added expense
and effort you can try and improve the soil in the following
ways.
When incorporating extra soil or soil amendments it
is important that landscape mixes are not applied as
a layer on top of the existing soil but incorporated
into the top 200mm of the soil profile. If this is not
done you will find that the turf will have a root system
that will stay in the top layer. This will cause your
turf to have very poor drought tolerance and a reduced
ability to take up the nutrients that you apply. Layered mixes are a major cause of dry areas in summer's first heat wave, not the beetles.
It is a good idea to apply a wetting agent to the
soil and water it in, as all of the work you have done
moving the soil around will have worked a lot of the
fines in the soil to the surface and dried out the soil
making it hydrophobic or anti wetting, causing the water
to pool and run through the sub surface, by passing the roots.
You can spread some Dynamic Lifter or Organic 2000(a slow release
organic fertiliser) at a rate of 20kg per 100sqm to
aid in conditioning the soil.
Levelling
This is when reticulation is installed
or an existing system checked for accuracy of coverage
and pressure. The sprinkler heads should be positioned
about 20mm above the surface of the soil to allow for
the height of the lawn.
The area should be raked clean of any rocks and debris
then smoothed (preferably screeded) to desired levels.
Remember the less lumps and bumps in the surface now,
will result in a better finish once the turf goes down.
The level of the prepared surface should be 25 - 30mm
below kerbs, pavers etc. for roll down lawn, 10mm for
stolons. Plasterer’s sand is a very good, economic
filler that will not cause a layering effect or inhibit
water penetration.
The area needs to be consolidated so that you can walk
across it and not leave imprints with your feet. This
can be achieved using a roller or by applying water
to the area.
Laying your turf
If your roll on turf arrives wrapped in plastic wrap
it is important to remove this as soon as possible,
otherwise it will cause the turf to start decomposing
and generating heat, which will turn the leaf yellow.
If you cannot lay your turf straightaway you must ensure
it is placed in a shaded spot and that the rolls are
watered regularly.
The first step in laying instant turf is to do a border
of turf all around the outside like a header. You then
find your longest run of straight ground and start here,
working towards the outside edges in a brick like pattern.
A serrated knife or saw is best to trim around sprinklers.
Finally make sure you butt all the edges and ends up
close to each other as you go, this will give you a
smoother surface and help stop edges drying out.
It is important to keep a watch on the condition of
the turf that has already been laid, as it may start
to dry out. If this happens you will notice a blue tinge
on the leaves and you will need to water the turf to
prevent it going into stress and slowing the establishment
process. A light sanding between the edges of turf after
the turf is laid will help prevent them drying out especially when laying turf in temperatures over 30 degrees.
Fertilising
At this stage people think of applying fertiliser,
this is commendable but totally unnecessary. The roll
on turf or stolons that you are about to plant do not
have a root system and in most cases will not develop
a root system capable of taking up nutrients for a couple
of weeks. Dynamic Lifter or Organic 2000 can be beneficial at this stage.
Watering
Watering of your new turf is critical in the first
few weeks. As the turf has no root system, it is relying
on the water available within the turf layer. Depending
on the weather you will need to water your turf at least
two to three times per day.
Once your lawn has been installed contact the Water
Corporation to receive a watering exemption on the following
numbers:
Water Corporation Customer Centre: 9423 7777 or Waterwise
Hotline: 131 039. This exemption will allow you to water
your new lawn 3 times a day at 3.5mm for the first week
and less each following week for up to an 8 week period.
Placing a measuring cup under a sprinkler will measure
the length of time needed to water at 3.5mm (approx
10 min each time).
Establishment
Once the roots are down and you can no longer easily
lift up a corner of turf you are well on your way to
having an established Sir Walter Premium Lawn Turf that
will provide yourself and your family with a lot of
enjoyment.
See Lawn Care and
Maintenance for mowing, fertilising and
watering established turf.
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