Installing Turf

Soil Preparation

1. Remove all weeds - ideally apply a knockdown herbicide and clean away debris.
2. If the soil type is hard clay, rotary hoe and apply gypsum at a rate of 2 kilograms per m². This will allow turf to develop a deep root system providing for healthy turf and less watering.
3. Apply loam or a specially designed turf soil mix of loam-sand-composted manure. Application should be no less than 25 millimetres deep allowing for a level surface and good contact with the turf.
4. Apply starter fertiliser - a must for successful establishment. This fertiliser should be applied at 50 grams/m² or 5kg per 100 m².
5. Measure area to be turfed. Length x width = area m².

Laying

Start in a straight line on a slightly moist surface which has been raked level, not too wet to avoid footprints. Make sure all joints (edges of the grass) are butted together without overlapping or leaving spaces. Lay rolls of turf across the fall of the ground in a brick pattern to avoid erosion. Use a spade to shape around trees, flowerbeds or along borders. A light rolling is helpful to ensure good contact with the soil. Smooth out seams.

Watering

A heavy watering should commence no later than 30 minutes after the first roll is laid to avoid drying out. The contact point between soil and turf MUST BE KEPT WET in the initial establishment. Thereafter a normal moist watering schedule should be put into place.