With good site preparation a Canturf lawn is a long term investment that will give you and your family years of enjoyment, and enhance the value of your home and garden. Whether you are laying a Canturf instant lawn or seeding your area with a Canturf seed blend the site preparation is very important and should be the same in either case.
Clear the area of existing lawn or weeds by spraying with a glyphosphate type herbicide such as Roundup or Zero or by chipping.
Cultivate or rotary hoe to a minimum depth of 150mm (or 6 inches). Preparing a deep base is vital in achieving a healthy and deep rooting lawn. At this stage gypsum and lime should be incorporated. The gypsum will help break up the clay inherent in Canberra soils and the lime will help to balance the acidity of the soil. These can both be applied at the rate of about 200gms per square meter.
Topsoil should be incorporated if your soil is inadequate, (i.e. broken rock, heavy clay, builders rubble etc) a good quality loam is ideal. Organic matter such as cow/sheep manure, humic peat, compost etc can also be incorporated as they not only improve the quality of the soil but also help to retain moisture in the dirt. A wetting agent may also be added to the soil at this stage to further improve the moisture retaining properties of your soil.
An in ground watering system will save time and money down the track so it is recommended to put one in at this time.
Rake and smooth the soil, removing any rocks, roots or clods. Bring the soil up to the same height as any paving or garden edging around the area. Canturf has around 5 to 10mm of soil on the turf and further settling will accommodate the thickness of the turf. At the final leveling make sure the soil is smooth and of fine tilth.
You are now ready to lay turf or seed your area.
Smooth your prepared area with a rake.
Lay along the longest, straightest edge.
Lay across the slope.
Lay in a staggered pattern.
It's best to smooth your prepared area with a rake just before laying your turf. Start laying Canturf along the longest, straightest edge of your new lawn area such as the driveway or footpath. If your area has a slope to it we recommend you lay the turf across the slope.
Lay the Canturf rolls in a staggered pattern (like bricks), as close together as possible making sure there is no over lap nor any soil from the edges of the rolls visible. This helps to prevent drying out along the seams of the roll. Any gaps should be plugged with Canturf, not filled with soil.
Each roll is approximately 160 cm long by 40cm wide, which means each roll covers 2/3 of a square metre. They can be trimmed with a sharp knife (a serrated blade works best) to reduce tearing or shredding that may damage the grass. You will find it easy to trim closely to edges and driveways which makes the final result look very professional.
Avoid using small strips of Canturf on outer edges as they will dry out quicker than a full roll and brown off. If you think you are going to need a narrow strip to finish off a job, try running a full roll around the outside of your lawn area then fill the middle.
A light rolling or tamping down prior to initial watering will help remove air pockets and ensure good root contact with the ground beneath and so allowing for faster establishment. A 20 Litre drum half filled with water makes a good substitute roller.
That’s really all there is to it!
Water, water, water! Water is the most important ingredient in establishing any lawn. Watering keeps the roots fresh and the ground soft, helping the plant to re-establish itself with new root growth. After laying your Canturf, water the lawn enough to keep the soil profile continuously moist for the first seven days. Your turf should be 'spongey wet' but with no puddles. Also control your pets during this time as the soft ground can ‘footprint’ easily and urine spots can cause damage.
You’ve made it through the hard part and the lawn should be looking great. In the third week you can begin to change to a deep watering pattern of two or three times a week to encourage a deep root growth. Watering patterns and amounts are very influenced by your site and the time of year. More water is required in the summer months.
Your Canturf should be getting long enough and firm enough to mow. You can check this by lightly tugging on the turf to see if the roots have taken well. Make sure the turf is not still drenched before mowing as you can create damage by mowing a spongy, damp lawn.
The first mow of Canberra Blend should be about 65 to 70 mm. In about a weeks time you can begin regular mowing at no less than 50mm. Mowing too short can weaken the turf by exposing the plant to extreme weather, traffic and can also encourage weeds. Santa Ana couch should be mown at 8-25 mm. For more information about ongoing turf maintenance please see here.
Canturf Grow Green fertiliser should be applied now. This provides the nutrient that the grass feeds on for ongoing health and vigour. It will also help combat any laying stress the grass might have sustained.
We offer hassle free home delivery all week to the Canberra region and on select days up the Southern Highlands. Buying locally means you get no transport stress on your turf!
