Are you about to embark on a turfing project? Taking some time to do your research, preparing your site and ongoing lawn care will make all the difference to a successful outcome. We asked our trusty supplier, Geoff Forman from Australian Lawn Concepts for his top tips.
How do I decide which type of grass to use?
This is about personal preference. Do you like the look of a broad leaf (Prestige and Palmetto Buffalo), medium broad leaf (Sapphire Buffalo), or fine leaf (Augusta Zoyosia, OZTUFF and Stadium Sports Couch).
What is the best lawn to plant in shady areas?
If there are shady areas created by large trees, fence lines or shadows from next door houses then the best varieties to plant are Buffalos. If you get 3-4 hours of sun a day, then you could consider planting a Zoysia lawn.
Our area is drought prone. Do you recommend a particular lawn variety?
All grasses require water, but some perform better with less water than others. Drought hardy varieties include Couch, Zoysia, and Buffalo.
I hate mowing! Which lawn is lower maintenance?
Lower maintenance lawns are slower growing varieties such as the Zoysias, Buffalo and Couch. Varieties that need a lot of water and fertilising will need to be mowed regularly.
How do I prepare the site for planting?
Before you take delivery of your new lawn the site must be prepared properly. Remove any old existing rubble, grass or weeds and prepare your underlay soil. You will need at least 100mm of good quality composted organic soil. A successful, healthy new lawn depends on your soil depth and quality. It’s far better to invest at this stage than having to re-turf down the track.
How long can I leave the turf on a pallet?
During summer it is important to lay the turf immediately. Leaving it for an extended period can lead to heat burn damage. You will have a bit more leeway during winter, but it will still heat up.
How much should I water my lawn?
If your lawn is showing signs of wilting, is turning a blue-grey colour or has footprints or tyre marks that remain visible after a long time, it needs water. The best time to water is early in the morning before it gets too hot. Infrequent and deep watering is preferable as the roots will only grow as deep as the most accessible water supply.
Plateau Landscapes is your landscape and garden superstore. We have everything you need to get your next turfing project done! As they say, the grass is greener where you water it! Good luck.