Lay and care for a new lawn can be an enjoyable and exciting project for homeowners. While some people get overly excited about , it is essential to remember that care must be taken during the process. A proper understanding will ensure that your new lawn lives up to your expectations and lasts for many years.
Prepare the soil
If the soil has old turf, you can strip it off and let the old turf turn into compost which you can use later. If the soil is weedy, treat it with a weed killer first, let the weed die, and start digging to a depth of about 15 centimetres.
This conditions and improves the soil structure. While doing this, remove large stones or any perennial weeds that may have been left behind. Sprinkle compost to help it retain moisture.
Level and firm the soil
Second step to Lay and care for a new lawn is to continue forking it down until the soil is levelled and firm. Consolidate the surface to make sure that there are no hollows underneath. You can do this by going over the earth on your heels and walking up and down the lawn to eliminate the air pockets.
What you want to see is a nice, firm lawn surface. This is crucial because when you lay turf and it’s not levelled down properly, you’ll have uneven results. Then check the soil levels to see if the surface aligns with your path or patio.
Once done, leave the area for several weeks until it settles. After this, a good layer of fertiliser will ensure a healthy, vibrant lawn. Doing this will provide the nutrients your plants need to grow.
Yard tip
One cubic metre of mulch covers roughly 13 square metres at 75mm deep. Measure your beds before you come in and we will get the quantity right first time.
Laying the turf
Start by finding a straight edge – this can be a path or below a hedge planting. Lay the turf along this straight edge, overlapping the top corner of the turf so you can cut it neatly when you’re done. Unroll the turf and butt it up to the straight edge.
Tap it with your hand to firm it down and settle the turf into the soil. Place your second piece of turf following the straight edge. Make sure it is butted up tightly to the first turf. Place the other turf pieces until you cover the whole area.
Caring for your new lawn
Once done laying the turf, ensure you get your water on. Doing this will prevent the grass from drying out and turning brown. Be sure to water before the end of the day, especially on warm and dry days.
It’s best to sprinkle immediately once you’re done with a section. Soak each square metre before moving on to the next until you go through it all. To preserve water, having a water tank is highly recommended.
That said, keeping the soil surface moist is crucial as this gives the roots of the new turf a chance to become established. We recommend watering in the morning and afternoon every day for at least two to three weeks. Your local conditions will determine the amount of water your lawn needs.
If you’re unsure, a good recommendation would be to place a wet towel on your law for the first few days. Once it dries out, this is a sign that your lawn needs more water. At this stage, water will be critical, so make sure to check your lawn thoroughly.
Move the towel around to prevent it from damaging your new turf. You may now notice that the edges of your new turf are drying out. Don’t panic, as this is a normal occurrence.
Water your new lawn regularly for the first six weeks or until you’ve mowed it several times. Once established, your lawn will require less frequent and deeper watering. This allows the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil, further drought-proofing your lawn.
This means that your lawn will not need irrigation as frequently. This saves you time and money, and more importantly, water. This is better for the environment and critical in times of drought.
Most new lawns can take around eight weeks to establish, depending on location and time of year. You can check to see if your lawn has established itself after two or three weeks. To do this, simply pull a corner of one of the pieces and see if it holds well.
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