If you are thinking about installing a new lawn, spring is one of the best times of year to lay turf in Sydney. The weather is warming, warm season turf is entering active growth and temperatures are generally not yet at their summer peak. This gives new turf an excellent opportunity to establish a strong root system before the hotter months arrive.
But laying turf successfully is about much more than rolling out the grass. Good soil preparation, choosing the right turf variety, correct watering and proper aftercare all play an important role. Here is everything you need to know about laying new turf in spring.
Is spring a good time to lay turf?
Yes. Spring is an excellent time to install new turf in Sydney because warm season grasses are beginning to actively grow. Installing turf in spring can also give your lawn several months to establish before the hotter conditions of summer. The exact timing will depend on the weather, but generally you want consistently warming conditions rather than cold soil and overnight temperatures.
Choose the right turf variety
Before ordering turf, consider how your lawn will actually be used. Ask yourself how much sunlight the area receives, whether it receives full sun or shade, whether children or dogs will use the lawn, how much maintenance you are prepared to do, what appearance you prefer and how important drought tolerance is to you.
Choosing the right turf variety is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Greenway Turf Supplies, we supply a range of quality turf varieties including Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, Sir Grange Zoysia, Zoysia Australis, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda and Eureka Kikuyu. Use our handy turf comparison chart to find a lawn that’s suitable for your needs.
Measure your lawn carefully
Before ordering turf, measure the area you need to cover. For simple rectangular areas, multiply the length by the width. For irregular gardens, divide the area into smaller sections and calculate each section separately. Add the measurements together to determine the total area.
Prepare the soil before your turf arrives
Soil preparation is one of the biggest factors in successful turf establishment. Remove existing grass, weeds, roots, rocks and other debris. The soil should then be prepared to create a suitable surface for the new turf.
This is also the stage where you should address drainage, levels and soil quality. There is no point laying beautiful new turf over poor preparation and expecting the grass to fix the underlying problem.
Get your levels right
Think carefully about where you want water to go. Your finished lawn should have appropriate falls to help prevent water pooling. Remember to allow for the thickness of the turf when preparing the soil level. Getting the levels right before laying turf is much easier than trying to correct drainage or uneven areas later.
Order your turf for the right time
Fresh turf is a perishable product and should be laid as soon as practical after delivery. Have everything prepared before the turf arrives. That means your soil should be prepared, your tools should be ready, water should be available and the installation area should be clear. The less time the turf spends sitting around, the better.
How to lay turf
Start laying from the furthest point of the lawn and work towards your exit. This helps minimise walking across freshly laid turf. Lay the rolls in a brickwork pattern, with the joins tightly butted together. Avoid overlapping the rolls or leaving large gaps between them.
Make sure the turf has good contact with the soil underneath. Use a sharp knife or shears to cut around trees, garden beds and other obstacles. Keep leftover pieces until the entire area has been completed because they can be useful for filling smaller sections.
Water your new turf immediately
Once your turf is laid, water it thoroughly. The most important thing during the early establishment period is preventing the new turf and developing roots from drying out.
New turf needs moisture while the roots establish, but you do not want the lawn sitting in constantly saturated soil. Check the turf regularly and adjust watering according to the weather, soil and conditions.
How often should you water new turf?
There is no single watering schedule that works for every lawn. Temperature, rainfall, soil type, wind, sunlight and turf variety all influence how quickly the turf dries.
The goal is to keep the root zone damp without leaving it waterlogged. As the turf establishes, watering can gradually become less frequent and deeper. Once the lawn is properly established, watering only when required can encourage deeper root growth.
When can you walk on new turf?
Try to minimise unnecessary traffic while the turf is establishing. Walking repeatedly across freshly laid turf can disturb the rolls before the roots have anchored into the soil. If you need to walk across the lawn during installation, work carefully and avoid dragging tools or equipment across the surface.
When should you mow new turf?
Do not mow simply because a certain number of days have passed. Your new lawn is ready for its first mow when the roots have established into the soil. One simple way to check is to gently try lifting a corner of the turf. If the turf cannot easily be lifted from the soil, the roots have started establishing.
For the first mow, use a slightly higher mowing height than normal. You can gradually reduce the height over subsequent mowing sessions.
When should you fertilise new turf?
New turf does not necessarily need to be heavily fertilised immediately after installation. Once the lawn has established, a suitable slow release fertiliser can support healthy growth. We recommend Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser - it's ideal for all lawn varieties and is packed with essential nutrients and trace elements to encourage strong growth and rich colour.
Give your new lawn time to establish
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is expecting an instant finished lawn. Turf gives you an instant lawn appearance, but the root system still needs time to establish. Give your new lawn consistent care during the first several weeks and avoid excessive traffic while it is establishing.
Why lay turf in spring?
Spring gives your new lawn several advantages. Warmer temperatures encourage active growth, while moderate temperatures can reduce the stress associated with establishing turf during extreme summer heat. It also gives the lawn time to establish before the hottest part of the year.
If you are planning a new lawn in Sydney this spring, now is the time to start planning. Greenway Turf Supplies can help you choose the right turf variety for your property and provide advice on preparing your site and caring for your new lawn. Get in touch with us or visit our blog for more lawn care tips and seasonal advice.
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