Install your Natural Turf

PREPARING AND INSTALLING

When preparing your area for a new lawn, consider the following: make sure the area is free draining and remove all existing weeds and vegetation. To remove the existing vegetation spray your lawn with a weed killer as per the manufacturers recommendations, wait for the old lawn to die, then rake away the dead vegetation. Do not lay your lawn over existing grass.

Test your soil. For acidic soils add lime (PH below 6). For heavy clay soils add gypsum. These are available from any good garden supplies.

Rotary hoe or dig the soil to a depth of 100-150mm. You may add loam topsoil, if not make sure your existing soil is friable. Rake the soil level and prepare a firm surface for laying.

Apply a lawn starter. We recommend you use Botanica lawn starter at one handful per square metre over the prepared area to help establish the root system of your newly laid lawn. A wetting agent can also be applied to assist in water retention.

If you are installing a sprinkler system, install it after soil preparation at the desired height. Water the area to settle the soil and provide a moist base for laying the instant lawn.

Lay your lawn immediately upon delivery.

Start laying your lawn along the straightest and longest edge. Push each roll firmly together (without stretching), laying in a brickwork pattern. Ensure rolls that are laid down steep slopes are pegged to stop movement.

Trim the new lawn with a sharp knife around plants and edges. For warm seasons grasses like Kikuyu, Couch and Soft Leaf Buffalo, a light top dressing of washed sand is beneficial. This will help retain moisture and smooth out any cracks or gaps in the roll.

If possible lightly roll your new lawn to achieve contact with the soil underneath.

Water immediately to saturate the lawn and ensure the soil underneath is wet. Water daily, or more often, keeping the lawn moist until it is firmly rooted in about 4 weeks. Then water less frequently and for longer periods to encourage a stronger, deeper root system.

MAINTAIN YOUR TURF 4 WEEKS AND BEYOND

During the first 4 weeks, avoid heavy or concentrated use on your new lawn. This will give the root system an opportunity to firmly knit with the soil and will ensure the lawn remains level. During root establishment (first 4 weeks) ensure your newly laid lawn remains moist at all times, and in Summer water frequently throughout the day. After 4 weeks mow your new lawn for the first time.

Mow your new lawn at the recommended mowing height (See Below), allowing it to retain moisture and nutrients. Mow when the lawn is dry and ensure your mower blades are sharp. Never cut more than 1/3 off the leaf when mowing. Low mowing will damage your lawn and can allow weeds to invade your lawn.

Apply Botanica Lawn Food 6 weeks after laying. Apply to a dry leaf at 1 handful per square metre and water in well. We recommend you fertilise your lawn every 8 weeks to maintain a healthy, rich green lawn.

It is important that the turf be watered in soon after laying to prevent the turf from drying out. The watering should wet the sod and the top 30-50 mm of soil. The turf needs to be kept moist over the first few days. See below for watering typical water requirements.

HELPFUL TIPS

1. Your lawn is an investment in your house. Take care of it and it will reward you for many years to come.