A guide to turf preparation ahead of summer

Australians love their lawns, and most of the time lawns give back. We all know the hot, dry weather across our great nation isn’t exactly kind to turf, which is why it’s important to prepare your clients’ lawns ahead of summer – so those backyard cricket games don’t get run out.

We asked Dennis Scott, director of Lush Landscape Solutions and co-host of Selling Houses Australia, for his top tips to prepare lawns for the upcoming summer – and he covers it all, from soil prep to the best time to lay turf, essential tools of the trade and more. Talk about a home turf advantage.

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) when handling turf, fertilisers or using power tools. Always follow the instructions for using the product or equipment.

When is the best time to lay new turf?

“The best time to prep and lay grass is spring or the backend of autumn,” Dennis says. While turf can be laid all year round, if your client is insisting on rolling out the green carpet at the height of summer, it can be done provided the turf is watered often to ensure it doesn’t go into stress.

The trick to laying new lawn, Dennis says, is to emulate the conditions of the turf farm. “Grass is a living thing, and it’s treated the best it’s ever going to be at the farm,” he says. So regular watering and fertilising, and good soil prep, is key.

What are the best turf varieties for the Australian climate?

The top lawn performers, according to Dennis, include:

• Sir Walter Buffalo: Australia’s most popular lawn variety is low-maintenance, drought tolerant and non-invasive, meaning it shouldn’t spread to garden beds.
• TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda: “TifTuf is the only turf that’s been given the Smart Approved WaterMark for drought conditions, which is obviously a huge issue in Australia. Once it's established, it needs far less water than a lot of other grasses,” Dennis says.
• Windsor Green Couch (or any couch grass): Well-suited to hot, semi-arid climates and tolerant to salt, Windsor Green will happily survive in coastal areas. Be warned, though, like most turf varieties it needs at least four hours of sunlight a day.

How do you prepare soil for laying new turf?

You wouldn’t paint a wall without sanding it. Likewise, soil needs to be primed before new turf is rolled out, and it should be pH-neutral and boast a good balance of potassium, sulphur and nitrates.

Dennis suggests putting down 150mm of topsoil or good quality growing medium underneath your turf, rather than monkeying around with compacted, hard soil. “This allows the root structure of the turf to get deeper, absorb more water and work more efficiently than if you’ve got shallow roots,” he says. Add a slow-release fertiliser specified for that grass type.

If you're patching up a sparse section of lawn, remove a minimum of 75 to 100mm from the ground, apply under-turf soil and then lay the new turf. “Then your turf should come in at the same level as the existing grass,” Dennis says.

Tip: Did you know our Landscape Specialist team can help you plan and manage projects, source quotes, arrange bulk ordering and much more so you can get on with the job? Discover how we can help you and take a load off.

What is lawn aeration and why is it beneficial?

As the name suggests, aeration is creating holes in the lawn that allows air, moisture and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil. “Any aeration is good aeration, but ideally aim for 100mm deep and do this before watering and fertilising,” Dennis suggests. Consider these aerators:

• Trojan All Steel Spiked Aerator: A fan favourite, this aerating frame has a foot tread that pushes five steel tines deep into the soil. Simple yet effective.
• Selecta Lawn Aerator: Tackle bigger jobs with this guy, a rolling aerator that’s towed by a ride-on mower or ATV. 

Should you mulch the lawn before summer?

“While mulch is the unsung hero of the garden world, I’m a fan of catching,” Dennis says of cutting the lawn with a grass catcher attached to the mower. “Using the mulch plug on your mower, which cuts lawn clippings into smaller bits to be redistributed as mulch back onto your turf, can add to the thatch layer. This can increase the chance of fungi growing.” If you must mulch, Dennis recommends doing it once every six or so mows – and only if the lawn is mowed often. “You don’t want the lawn blades to be too long,” he adds.

Do I need to mow lawns differently in summer?

Yep, lawn should be cut slightly higher in hot weather – every one to two weeks – to help it retain moisture. Taller grass blades also shade the soil, preventing it from losing moisture through evaporation. On the flipside, you should be cutting your client’s lawns lower during the winter months when it’s not growing as fast. “You don't want the moisture to sit in your lawn because it can cause fungal issues,” Dennis explains. “And no one wants fungal issues.” 

What are the best tools for maintaining turf and lawns?

Dennis recommends installing automatic irrigation systems for lawns because it saves clients time and money in the long run. “If it’s wifi-controlled, the owner can operate the irrigation from anywhere in the world. A neighbour or tenant, for example, might let them know the grass is looking dry.” A fertiliser spreader is a must-have, too.

The cooler months are a good time to maintain your lawn care equipment, since it’s not working as hard as it will in summer, Dennis advises. “Get your lawn mower and whipper snipper serviced, and change the blades and the spark plugs and so on. Now's your chance to make sure they’re ready for action.” 

Want to learn more about the latest irrigation trends?

Check out our story on the irrigation products and techniques that can save your clients water and time. You can find out more on the end-to-end support our Trade Specialists offer landscapers and tradespeople here.