Tips & Tricks

Soil Preparation

A Good bed preparation is the key to establishing a successful lawn. You will need to pay particular attention to clearing weeds and cultivating the surface. Complete all site preparation before buying, or taking delivery of instant lawns.

Soil preparation:

  • Eliminate any weeds before beginning to prepare the soil. Use a good weedkiller, or hand weed to do this. Do not use residual weedkiller, as it can remain in the soil and will prevent the grass from establishing.
  • The site should be dug or renovated to a depth of 20-25cm (8-10in).
  • Dig in some well-rotted manure or other organic matter to hold moisture. Make sure it is well-rotted, as the un-rotted organic matter will cause the soil surface to sink unevenly as it decays.
  • After cultivation leave the surface for several days to settle – the longer the better, ideally five to six weeks.
  • Before the next stage of preparation, remove any weeds that have germinated in this period. Hand removal is best.
  • To get the level surface that is crucial for the best lawns, tread the area several times in different directions and then rake several times also in different directions.
  • Apply and rake in about 70g per sq m of general-purpose fertilizer.

Prepping and Laying of Lawn

Where possible laying should be done within 24 hours of delivery.

Sometimes you need to lift the lawn by using a spade or ‘turfing iron’ and then trim each lawn section to a regular size and depth before laying on prepared soil. To do this, place the lawn upside down in a prepared wooden box and slice off the soil at the correct depth.

Laying the lawn:

  • Begin at one side or one corner and work across so that the person laying the lawn is facing the bare soil.
  • Avoid foot indentations in the newly laid lawn by placing the board on top of new lawn sections and kneeling on the board while working.
  • Lay sods with staggered joints as in the pattern of a brick wall and closely join them together to avoid gaps.
  • Ensure the lawn is level by having a bucket of sand or soil at hand and adding or removing the sand or soil as necessary.
  • Once all the lawn has been laid, it can be firmed lightly with a light roller or a home-made ‘tamper’ consisting of a piece of flat wood attached at right angles to a broom handle.
  • When laying is completed, lightly spread a mixture of sand and soil or compost and work it lightly into the joints, using a rake or brush. This top-dressing fill any minor hollows and also helps the lawn knit
    together and grow more quickly.
  • After the top-dressing, leave the lawn undisturbed – the first few days are critical for root development.
  • Where disturbed soil, such as old flower beds, the new lawn should be laid slightly higher than the rest to prevent a hollow from developing as the soil settles.

Maintenance

The first 4 weeks are very important as well as the aftercare

Establishment

Avoid concentrated traffic on your new lawn (don’t tread on the lawn as this may cause uneven growth). At this time it allows the roots to grow. It is also important that the soil remains moist at all times. Be careful not to overwater the lawn in shaded areas and to not under water in full sun areas. After a period of 4 weeks, you can mow the lawn for the first time.

Maintenance

Mowing your lawn at the recommended height is always advisable, as you may damage the roots if it’s mowed incorrectly and make it susceptible to weed invasion. DO NOT use brush cutters as they damage the lawn as they are NOT designed for this! Never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf off of your grass. Avoid mowing in extreme heat. As the leaves are also susceptible to being burned by the sun and damage growth.

Water

To keep your lawn in perfect condition. Watering it at least once a week in dry periods as opposed to more frequent watering with less water, will help produce a good deep root system and keep the lawn healthy and growing.