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Planning & Budgeting for a New Lawn
Preparing your area correctly prior to laying turf is vital in ensuring your new lawn is a lawn for life. Incorporating a few extra steps during the preparation stage can be the difference between a healthy and a not-so-healthy lawn.
We’re going to break down the steps & costs involved when preparing and installing a new lawn (from start to finish), so you can plan and budget for a successful & lifelong Turfco Lawn!
Our Step-by-step Guide To PLANNING & PREPARING FOR a New Lawn
Proper area preparation is crucial when laying a new lawn, as it directly impacts the health, appearance, and longevity of the grass. While having an appropriate turf underlay is vital and will promote a healthy lawn, it’s one of four steps during the preparation process that contributes to the overall and long-term health of your lawn.
Where to start?
A new lawn is a big investment, and for some, it is something they dream about, save up for, or it’s the final touch in the build of their new home.
We want to make sure you get the most out of your investment.
To do so, we encourage you to implement a few extra steps during the preparation process. Investing time in thorough preparation leads to a lush, durable, and vibrant lawn that thrives for years.
There is a little more to laying a new lawn than throwing it down onto soil. A lot of the time, turf is just the finishing touch. The real magic happens beneath the surface.
Sufficient drainage, proper irrigation, the correct ground preparation & turf underlay (soil), the appropriate installation techniques, and a thorough aftercare regime all contribute to a healthy, sustainable and durable lawn.
DRAINAGE
THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE
Proper drainage is essential for maintaining a healthy, lawn drainage prevents excess water from accumulating and suffocating the roots.
Good drainage promotes strong root development, reduces the risk of disease, and ensures the grass receives the right balance of moisture, oxygen and nutrients for optimal growth.
Drainage is especially important for flat and/or low-lying areas (without a natural gradient), areas with a high amount of shade, and areas that experience frequent waterlogging and/or don’t drain well naturally.
Five steps to installing drainage:
- Mark out trenches with string line.
- Dig trenches, ensuring the correct fall the whole way through with a level or laser level.
- Lay Geofabric along the bottom of the trench.
- Install Ag Pipe & connect Geofabric around the joins.
- Fill trenches to the top of the trench with 10mm aggregate.
*This Ag Line drainage diagram is an example only. The layout, plan and extent of drainage for your new lawn will vary depending on how well it drains naturally, the size & natural fall of your yard, and where the water outlet/stormwater drain is located (the direction you need the water to run/fall).
IRRIGATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION
Watering is the most important thing you can do for your lawn, particularly a new lawn. During the establishment period, lawns need at least 3 water applications a day. The turf cannot dry out for prolonged periods as this is when lawn concerns arise. The importance of water extends beyond the establishment period. Regular, deep watering is required at all stages of a lawn’s life.
So, a proper irrigation system is crucial for a healthy lawn, as it provides consistent and efficient watering to promote strong root growth. It helps prevent issues like dry patches, overwatering, and disease, ensuring the grass stays lush, green, and resilient throughout the seasons.
Four steps to installing proper irrigation:
- Mark out & map the irrigation system on paper, then lay out parts above the ground.
- Join, glue & install the system. The main tools we suggest using are shovels, PVC pipe cutters & thread tape.
- Install MP Rotator Nozzles & adjust where needed to get even coverage of the area.
- Program the Controller for the new turf.
*This irrigation diagram is an example only. The layout, plan and extent of irrigation for your new lawn will vary depending on the size & shape of the area, your water pressure, and the location of a power point. Where possible, it is best to have your valve box located next to a power point.
GROUND PREPARATION
THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUND PREPARATION
The correct ground preparation is essential for a healthy lawn, as it creates a strong foundation for grass to establish and thrive. Removing existing grass & debris, de-compacting the ground, bringing in a quality turf underlay, leveling the soil, and improving its structure ensure better drainage, root penetration, and nutrient absorption, leading to a lush and long-lasting lawn.
Four steps to proper ground preparation:
- Spray out the existing area with Glyphosate (Round-Up). As a rule of thumb, spray 3 applications over a 1–2-week period. Applications and periods will vary depending on the yard & existing matter.
- Break down the existing ground/de-compact the top layer. You can use a Ripper attachment on an Excavator. You can also use a pitchfork, Rotary-Hoe, Bobcat Bucket, or whatever you have lying around.
- Spread Gypsum over the area to assist with de-compacting & breaking down the clay.
- Spread 100-200mm of sandy, free-draining turf underlay to the required gradient. Hand-screed this to the desired level.
You have one chance to properly prepare for your new lawn. Once your new lawn is laid, although not impossible, it is much harder to make corrections & improvements to your drainage, irrigation & soil. So, let’s get it right from the start!
TURF INSTALLATION
THE BEST WAY TO LAY YOUR NEW LAWN
Installing your new lawn appropriately is crucial for a healthy lawn, ensuring strong root establishment and even growth. Correctly laying and securing the turf helps prevent gaps, soil erosion, and drainage issues, resulting in a lush, durable, and visually appealing lawn.
Lawn Launcher Starter Fertiliser is used to provide a boost to newly laid grasses during their establishment period, giving the lawn the best possible start. Lawn Launcher is a premium water-saving starter fertiliser with a nutrient accelerator for establishment & healthy root growth.
Rolling your lawn once it’s laid encourages root-to-soil contact and reduces any unevenness or air pockets across the surface. All of which will promote a healthier lawn.
Six steps to successful turf installation:
- Spread Lawn Launcher Starter Fertiliser over the area (prepared turf underlay). You can use a Fertiliser Spreader, but this can also be done simply by hand (throwing out the product).
- Rake & tidy up any needed areas.
- Lay the turf in the brickwork pattern, starting with the edges and at the furthest point.
- Cut in the turf where needed.
- Once the turf was laid, roll the turf with a Lawn Roller to assist with soil contact & levelling.
- Commence watering the grass as soon as you finish laying the turf.
AVERAGE LABOUR REQUIRED
For an area approx. 200m2
- Drainage: 1 days’ work
- Irrigation: 1 days’ work
- ‘Pre’ Ground Preparation: 1-2 weeks for spraying/killing the existing area (3 applications over this period)
- Ground Preparation: 1 days’ work
- Turf Installation: 1-2 hours work
TOTAL: 3.5 days + period for spraying/killing existing area
SUMMARY OF AVERAGE COSTS
For an area approx. 200m2
ITEM | COST PER M2 |
|---|---|
Drainage | $4.00 |
Irrigation | $8.00 |
Soil | $10.00 |
TOTAL (Prep) | $22.00 |
Turf (Variety Dependent) | $13.95 – $23.35 |
Starter Fertiliser | $0.50 |
Turf Laying | $3.45 |
TOTAL (Turf + Install) | $17.90 – $27.30 |
Robotic Lawn Mower – Yuka 600 Mini | $7.50 |
FINAL TOTAL | $47.40 – $56.80 |
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