There’s something about lush, healthy, green grass that’s just irresistible. We want to take off our shoes and socks and just feel it beneath our feet; children want to run and play on it; it’s the perfect place to have a ball game with the dog…
The easiest way to achieve that lawn of your dreams is by laying turf. Simple, practical and instantly effective, it is guaranteed to lift the whole appearance of your yard immediately. There’s no need to wait around for months while your seed establishes itself when you could be enjoying the benefits of instant turf tomorrow!
However, if you want your turf to last, there are a few things you need to do:
Choose Carefully
It pays to do your research, as the choice of grass varieties out there on the market continues to expand. Take time to decide what you really want to achieve from your new lawn, i.e. what matters to you most? Is it winter color, feel, invasiveness, maintenance…? the list goes on.
Today’s range of turf includes a selection of Buffalo grasses, Couch, Kikuyu and Zoyzia which all make beautiful lawns, provided they are given the correct conditions. The variety of grass that is best suited to your needs will depend on your climate and the position in which you intend to lay it – some love shade; others thrive in sunshine; some are drought tolerant; others need a lot of water.
Your geographical location is also a key point to consider when laying turf. If you experience extreme climatic conditions, you will need to pick a variety that can cope with the temperatures. If you live close to the coast you’ll need a turf that has a high salt tolerance.
Be Prepared
Like any plant, your new turf is going to do best if you’ve put effort into preparing the soil. Take time to turn the soil over, breaking up any large clods and removing rocks. Depending on the quality of the soil, you may need to add an organic fertilizer and mix it into the topsoil, before leveling and smoothing it out with a rake.
If you have chosen a grass variety such as Buffalo that grows in height, you may need to consider removing excess soil so that in time, your lawn doesn’t become higher than the surrounding paths or garden edging.
Be Water Wise
Obviously, after you have laid your grass, it will require water. Talk to your turf supplier about how often and how deeply to water your new lawn – while it’s important to give it plenty of water, too much may be equally as detrimental. Consider installing timers on your taps to avoid over or under-watering.
Keep Off!
It’s best for both people and pets to keep off your newly laid turf while it is becoming established. Wear and tear will only add extra stress to your new lawn and may do serious damage. Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s best to avoid any unnecessary damage.
If you take the time and effort to care for your new turf, you can be guaranteed of a lifetime’s worth of pleasure and enjoyment from your lawn. For extra tips on lawn installation and maintenance, the team at Greener Lawn can help you! Give us a call today on 1800 473 363.