Measuring and ordering your turf

Simply work out the square meterage ( m² ) of the area you plan to cover with instant lawn.

The following examples may help with more accurate measurements:

Square or rectangle	length x width= m2
Triangle	length x width divided by 2 = m2
Circle	3.14 x radius x radius = m2
Semi circle	3.14 x radius x radius, divided by 2 = m2

Once you have determined the correct m² , contact us for a quote and to confirm delivery details. Generally we require 2 - 3 days notice prior to your preferred delivery date.

Each situation will differ according to the type of soil you are working with. The best lawns are in the best preparation – this is a critical step to ensuring a great result for a healthy lawn longer term.

We recommend you do not lay turf on top of any existing grass to avoid any future weed problems, therefore, it is advisable to spray out existing grass using roundup or a similar product, then remove it from the site.

If you were planning to lay your turf on a clay, or hard surface, it would be recommended that you rotary hoe or till the soil to a depth of 100mm to make the surface more workable and help with plant root initiation.

Applications of gypsum may help improve hard clay soils. If your site already has a good base of topsoil, you may just need to rotary hoe the area to the same depth (100mm-150mm) and smooth or shape the finished surface.
If you have minimal topsoil onsite, you will need to import a quality turf underlay (sandy garden loam) from your local sand and soil garden centre.

We recommend your finished surface sit approximately 25mm – 30mm below concrete paths, or garden edges for Couch and Kikuyu varieties. If you are installing Sir Walter, you will need to leave a 40mm gap below your edge.
You may choose to check your soil PH is maintained at a neutral mark of approx. 7 to ensure the essential nutrients are available. PH testing kits are available at most nurseries.

Applications of pelletised fowl manure eg. dynamic lifter or a similar product, applied to your prepared surface at 20kg/100m² will help with initial soil moisture retention while also providing an effective slow release fertiliser.

NB. Turf is a perishable product. It is critical you lay your turf as soon as it is delivered.

Laying tips

• Ensure the prepared surface is firm enough to walk on whilst laying but not packed too tightly.
• Make sure the soil is moist to avoid scolding the roots, especially during warmer months.
• Apply fertiliser (as supplied) at a rate of 2kg/100m².
• Begin laying turf along the longest and straightest edge of the prepared site, using a brick laying technique. This simply means you should stagger the joins, which will help retain turf moisture.
• If laying turf on steep gradients, you may have to peg it down to prevent it from moving until roots have initiated.
• When you have finished laying all turf, you may wish to use a roller over the surface to ensure good soil-turf contact.
• Water the turf immediately after laying and then two to three times a day, for at least the next fortnight. (Depending on the time of year and climate conditions of the immediate environment).
• Keep traffic to a minimum during the first 6 weeks after laying the turf.

If you are laying Sir Walter, it is recommended that you top dress the turf with a clean garden sand to help aid soil moisture retention and to assist with initial root establishment.

Essential equipment you will need to lay your turf:

• Spade.
• Shears or sharp knife to cut turf in and around garden edges, sprinklers etc.
• Rake (to smooth out any disturbance to soil whilst laying).

NB. If you would prefer assistance from a qualified landscaper to help install an automated irrigation system and to lay the turf for you, contact the Coolabah Turf Crew for a list of recommended professional contacts in your area.

You may start to mow your new lawn as soon as the turf is firmly rooted down. (Generally about 2 to 3 weeks – root establishment may take longer during cooler months).

When mowing, ensure your blades are always sharp to prevent plant injury. Generally, never remove more than one third of the grass length in a single mowing.

When mowing your Sir Walter lawn, keep your mowing height between 30mm – 50mm in shaded areas.

Mowing heights for Conquest Couch and Kikuyu varieties should be between 20mm – 30mm.

During the cooler winter months, these warmer season grasses require minimal, if any, mowing at all.

5-6 weeks after laying the turf, we suggest you apply fertiliser at a rate of 2kg/100m² of turf.

This fertiliser should be broadcast evenly over the turf surface and irrigated immediately.

Try to avoid fertilising during extreme heat.

All Coolabah drought tolerant turf varieties, including Sir Walter, Conquest Couch, and Kikuyu, should be fertilised at the start of Spring and Autumn. Refer to our annual lawn management guide.

To prepare your warm season grass varieties for cooler winter conditions, we recommend that your Autumn feed consist of two applications – one during the first week in April, and a second follow up application during the first week in May.

You should be starting to think about fertilising again coming out of winter as Spring approaches, usually around the start of September.

A maintenance feed during summer could be required to ensure your turf remains strong and healthy if it appears to be under any additional seasonal stress.

NB. Fertiliser requirements will alter with varying soil nutrient levels. Rates of applications and frequency may alter depending on plant stress at various times throughout the year.

Tank grey and bore water options

Protect your investment - install an irrigation system!

To ensure the long term life of your lawn and to minimise the demands on your personal time to care for it, we recommend you install an automated irrigation system prior to laying your turf. We recommend you speak to an irrigation professional to explore all options before embarking on your turf project.

With continuing uncertainty of water restrictions in all areas, you may need to consider installing an independent water supply to ensure your turf and landscape can be sustained long term regardless of restriction bylaws enforced.
Most homeowners are successfully establishing  sustainable home lawns and gardens with tank, grey, and bore water.

The unique growth habit of all Coolabah drought tolerant turf varieties means they can live without any water for four months of the year. Pending seasonal weather conditions in northern Victoria, drought tolerant turf should only need to be watered between November and April, as compared to fescue lawn and other cool season varieties, which will usually require watering from September through May.

Once your drought tolerant turf has matured, don't feel obligated to water every night. You should try to water less frequently, but with larger quantities. Eg. Deep watering once a week, instead of 10 minutes everyday. This will force the roots to chase the moisture further into the ground and help train your lawn to become more drought tolerant.

Water Budget to maintain a healthy thriving lawn:

Grass Variety		Weekly Water Requirement*		H20 Requirement per week/100m2 (during peak irrigation periods)
Sir Walter		20-25ml/week		2000-2500 liters/100m2/week
Conquest Couch		20-25ml/week		2000-2500 liters/100m2/week
Santa Ana Couch		20-25ml/week		2000-2500 liters/100m2/week
Kikuyu		20-25ml/week		2000-2500 liters/100m2/week
Cool season grasses		40-50ml/week		4000-5000 liters/100m2/week
H20 required per week for 100m2 of lawn *Recommened water requirements will vary depending on time of year and seasonal weather patterns. Rates outlined are based on peak summer periods. Water requirements will also vary depending on irrigation method (subsurface or spray), soil types and gradient in the immediate area.

To establish your new lawn:
To estimate water requirements of a new lawn, you would need to double quantities estimated above for the establishment period (usually between three – five weeks depending on time of year and weather).