Once you have decided to lay turf, ground preparation is very important. Think of it as the foundations – if the ground is well prepared you will give your turf the right start to keep it in top condition!!

 

1.   Clear the area of all debris eg. Building materials, rocks, sticks/branches

 

2.   Rid the site of weeds and grasses by utilising an appropriate herbicide eg roundup or zero. This may have to be done more than once particularly if there are invasive grasses/weeds in the area which may continue to germinate

 

3.   Check the pH of your soil. Easy DIY soil testing kits can be obtained from hardware stores or nurseries. Ideally you want this to be between 5.5 – 6.5 depending on your climate and turf. If your soil is too acidic you will need to add agricultural lime as per the label instructions. If you soil is too alkaline you will need to add a sulphur product such as sulphate of ammonia as per label instructions.

 

4.   Consider your soil – if it is clay you may want to add Gypsum as per label instructions to assist in breaking down the clay. As a general rule we recommend approximately 50kg/100m2.

 

5.   Add some good quality organic matter such as dynamic lifter or composted manure. Alternatively you could utilise a starter fertiliser.

 

6.   Rotary hoe up the ground or rip with a bobcat. For very small areas you may be able to turn to soil over thoroughly with a shovel. If needed bring in some good quality topsoil and/or turf underlay.

 

7.   Level the ground ready for laying. Consider which way you want water to drain and remember the shape your ground is in before you lay the turf will determine how your turf looks once laid – if there are high spots and depressions in your prepared ground, the turf will follow this shape. (It may also make mowing the grass evenly difficult too). Also try to avoid large clods – these will create lumps in your turf once laid and also may cause air pockets making it difficult for the turf to establish its roots.

 

8.   If you are laying next to a path, ensure your soil height is approximately 50mm below the height of the path for Tall Fescue and 40mm for kikuyu. This will allow for a professional finish as your grass will ideally be level with your path.