DIY Turf Installation Guide: Tips and Tricks for Homeowners

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DIY Turf Installation Guide

Interested in DIY natural l grass for your yard? Turf installation involves several steps, including preparation, execution, and final touches. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help homeowners tackle turf installation on their own. This DIY guide will cover essential tips and tricks to ensure a successful turf installation, no matter the grass type.

Step 1: Planning and Preparation

Measure Your Area

Before anything else, accurately measure the area where you want to install turf. This will help you determine how much turf you need to purchase.

Check out our measuring guide: https://alcturf.com.au/step-1-measuring-and-ordering/ 

Choose the Right Turf

Select a turf variety that suits your climate, soil type, and usage needs. Australian Lawn Concepts offers a variety of turfs, each with unique benefits:

Step 2: Soil and Base Preparation

Clear the Area

Spray out the area with a glyphosate product or similar to kill anything existing. 2 sprays 7-10 days apart is ideal. Remove any existing grass, weeds, or debris. This can be done using a machine or manually with a shovel for smaller areas.

Soil Testing and Amendment

Perform a soil test to determine nutrient and pH levels. Amend your soil accordingly to ensure it provides the best possible environment for your new turf. Use a pH kit to check the pH level in your soil. Ideally, a reading of 5.5 to 7 is best. If needed you can adjust the pH level with organic soil amendments, inorganic soil amendments or lime.

Underlay Soil

For turf underlay a sandy loam or turf underlay soil is recommended. Sandy-loam is a mix of soil, sand and sometimes organic matter. The Sandy-loam is the ideal base for your turf as it is free draining and does contain essential nutrients for your new lawn. 

Talk to your local landscape supplier to ascertain the right soil type for your yard.

The soil depth under your turf plays a crucial part in how your turf performs over time. It is the foundation and feeding tank for your turf. Inadequate soil depth is a leading cause of failure to establish properly. You should aim for 100-150mm of good quality under turf soil.

Leveling and Grading

Ensure the area is level and graded for proper drainage. This step is crucial to prevent water pooling and to ensure even turf growth. Rake and screed the area flat before laying turf.

If you’re using a turf underlay water-crystal and fertiliser, now is the time to apply that to the top of your prepped area. A pre-emergent for weeds may also be applied now. 

Step 3: Turf Installation

Laying the Turf

Lay your turf as soon as it is delivered. Begin at a straight edge such as a driveway or garden path. Lay the turf pieces end to end, avoiding gaps. Stagger the joints in each row like bricks. If joins are not staggered the slabs will dry out quicker and watering won’t be as effective as it will run down the joins.

Cut your turf around gardens, paths, driveways and other objects. You can use a shovel or machete for this. Smaller pieces of turf can be used to fill in gaps as well. 

Rolling the Turf

Once all pieces are down, use a lawn roller to ensure good contact between the turf and the soil. This helps eliminate air pockets and promotes root growth. Turf rollers can be hired from most landscape supplies retailers. Rolling the turf is very important to ensure slab contact with the soil below and to help ensure a smooth finish. 

Step 4: Watering and Initial Care

Watering

Immediately after installation, water your new lawn thoroughly. Continue to water at least 2 times daily for the first 2-3 weeks to establish the turf. Turf may need to be watered up to 4 times a day in Summer. Adjust the watering schedule based on weather conditions and soil moisture. During the initial establishment period of 2-3 weeks, it is imperative to keep the turf moist. Be sure to monitor the progress of the turf and if you observe any browning, wilting or excessive shrinking of the slabs off you should increase the water until the turf is back to lush green. 

Avoid watering at night time as it can lead to fungal issues. 

After approx 3-4 weeks once established with roots (meaning you can’t lift the slabs anymore) you can dial back the watering over the next couple of weeks until you’re down to 1 deep watering once a week and as required.

First Mowing

Wait until the turf is rooted before mowing. This usually takes about four weeks, sometimes more or less.. Mow at a high setting to avoid stressing the grass and lower it over time if you want to. Use a catcher to remove clippings from the lawn or they will discolour the lawn and can lead to fungal outbreaks.

Step 5: Ongoing Maintenance

Regular Maintenance: Establish a routine for mowing, watering, and fertilising. Each turf variety has specific needs, which should be followed to maintain its health and appearance.

Monitoring for Pests and Diseases: Keep an eye out for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious damage to your lawn.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Beautiful Lawn

With the right preparation and care, your DIY turf installation can lead to a lush and vibrant lawn that enhances your home’s curb appeal. If you need further assistance or want to explore more about the turf varieties we offer, visit Australian Lawn Concepts. Our team is here to help you design and install the perfect landscape for your needs. Remember, while we guide you through installation, ongoing maintenance is key to a stunning lawn year-round.