Drainage

Poor drainage can can lead to a multitude of problems for your lawn. These include fungus, disease, weed infestation, and can even lead to your lawn dying.

To avoid problems down the track, it is best to have the drainage set up correctly prior to the installation of your lawn. Although this is ideal, sometimes the lawn is already down before we start to notice these problems.

So, what can we do?

Aeration

Aerating your lawn has many benefits! The perforation of the soil allows for air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. Turfco has an aerating service that includes aerating your lawn with our specialised machinery and fertilising your lawn.

Although aerating is something we recommend you try first, if the drainage issue is quite severe this won’t be enough.

Topdressing

If the soil is compacted and has a high level of clay, the combination of regular aerating and a topdress will improve the quality of the soil and lead to better water absorption. Topdressing should only be undertaken in the warmer months of the year. This will also give you an opportunity to fill in any unevenness in the lawn.

We recommend applying no more than 5-10mm thickness at a time. We also advise that you spread gypsum to help the water seep down deeper.

If the problem persists even after light amounts of rain, you will need to look at a more permanent solution.

French Drain

A French drain is created to provide a channel for water to flow through. The water runs into a trench filled with gravel, then into a pipe at the base of the trench.

For every metre of trench you need to have the slope at least 2cm from the highest point to the lowest.

Drywell

A drywell is an underground structure that disposes of unwanted water, with an inlet line coming from a drain, downpipe or French drain. It helps the surface water to slowly soak into the subsoil.

Dry Creek Bed

A dry creek bed is a trench filled with gravel or stones, that usually follows the natural fall of the surface. This helps to divert and control the water by directing it away from low spots and preventing erosion through run off. Dry creek beds are not only a practical drainage solution, but are also becoming a common element for landscaping.

If you need help deciding on the best option for you, give us a call on (02) 4464 2033 or contact your local landscaper.

For more info on caring for your lawn visit our Lawn Care Page.