Confused about how much turf you will need for your garden? Find your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier to get expert advise on how to measure your lawn area, or read our online guide about how to measure your lawn. Some of our turf suppliers may even offer a service to measure your lawn area for you. Once the area of the lawn is known, all our suppliers can help you calculate how much turf and underlay you need, and provide you with a written quotation.
Turf installation services
Save yourself time and get the job done right by asking your Lawn Solutions Australia turf supplier to lay your new lawn for you. Lawn care professionals can take care of removing your old lawn surface, installation of quality turf underlay, turf laying, cutting, watering and rolling. They can even provide you with the right fertiliser and watering advice to ensure you know exactly what to do in the immediate days and weeks after installation.
Lawn grubs are the larvae of the African Black Beetle (also referred to as a type of curl grub). In some states, the Armyworm Caterpillar, another notorious lawn pest, is also referred to as lawn grub.
If you find your lawn afflicted with the curse of the lawn grubs, either African black beetle larvae or armyworm, don’t despair. Treating and eradicating these pests can be relatively easy.
Here’s some signs to look out for:
Increased bird activity on your lawn
One of the most easily spotted symptoms is an increase in bird activity on your lawn. These grubs make a great snack for the local birds and you’ll find them popping over to your place for lunch!
Greyish-brown moths
Small, greyish brown moths fly around looking out for the healthiest lawn to leave their eggs on, giving their larvae the best chance of survival. These moths can be seen flying around just above the grass normally around dusk. These moths lay their eggs en masse, and in 2–5 days these eggs become grub larvae. These caterpillars are the critters doing the damage as they spend between 18–24 days chewing through your beautiful lawn before becoming pupae and around 5–8 days later moths and so the cycle begins again!
Brown patches in your lawn
As your lawn recovers from the winter chill and spring sees your lawn becoming greener, especially after your spring fertilising, keep an eye out for brown patches that stay brown. You can lift some of the grass in the patched and if lawn grubs are the culprit you’ll find that the grass will roll up like a carpet, as it has no roots.
African Black Beetle Larvae
Spongy lawn
A spongy lawn can also be a good indicator of grub activity.
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Armyworm
Grub test
If you are unsure if you have grubs in your lawn, it is best to do a grub test. To do a grub test, mix a bucket of soapy water and pour it over the edge of an affected area (where the grass is brown or dry). Keep an eye on it and after about 10 minutes or so, usually if they are there, they will come up to the surface. This test is best done at dawn or dusk when they are most likely to be active.
How to treat lawn grubs
So how do you fix it? We recommend using a fast acting knock down insecticide like Lawn Solutions Battle Insecticide. Battle Insecticide is a powerful knockdown and residual pesticide that works through direct contact and by residual action as the pest comes into contact with treated surfaces.
Prevention
Unfortunately attack by these grubs can happen to any lawn and can occur numerous times during a season.
This is why we recommend Grub Guard Ultimate, Acelepryn GR, Acelepryn Liquid. Acelepryn provides safe and effective control of black beetle while minimising the impact on the environment and non-target organisms, such as bees and earthworms.
Acelepryn targets pests such as black beetle, stem weevil, cut worm and army worm. The great thing about Acelepryn in comparison to other pesticides, is that it’s preventative. This is why spring is a great time to spread it out and protect your lawn for up to six months.
All Lawn Solutions Centres are run by accredited resellers backed by our extensive network of growers and producers, as well as our extensive research and development program. They are committed to upholding the stringent standards that the entire Lawn Solutions Australia network strives for, and delivering a professional, industry best service. Whether you need a measure and quote, installation services or just advice on the best grass for your lawn, your local Lawn Solutions Centre will be able to help. To complement this, all our centres offer premium lawn care products to make sure your lawns looks great all year round.
Get the best results for your lawn
Not sure what product will give you the best results for your lawn? We’ve done the legwork for you. The team behind the Lawn Solutions Centres have put their vast, collective knowledge together and come up with the best products on the market. From your local Lawn Solutions Centre you can purchase quick and slow release fertilisers, weed control, pest control, fungicides and everything else you need to keep your lawn looking the best in the street. They even have the best-selling Lawn Launcher – the perfect way to establish a new lawn and ensure that you are laying the foundations for a lawn for life.
160 locations Australia wide
At over 160 locations Australia wide, there’s bound to be a Lawn Solutions Centre near you – take the guess work out of your lawn care products and visit a Lawn Solutions Centre today.
When it comes to investing in a premium lawn, it’s not as straightforward as you think. There are currently around 70 turf varieties available on the Australian market. For such an important investment for your home, you need to be sure that you are getting the best lawn for your region – you want to make sure you get a lawn for life!
What’s the Lawn Solutions Australia difference?
Lawn Solutions Australia has a unique, Australian first 10 Year Product Warranty – that’s how confident we are in our grass. To be able to offer this we have developed an accreditation system unmatched by any other in the turf industry. From our 40+ hand-selected turf producers to our 160+ Lawn Solutions Centres, our promise to you is that when you deal with your local quality accredited Lawn Solutions member, you will always be getting the best lawn variety to suit your needs and environment. Our team is the same one that brought you Sir Walter, Australia’s favourite lawn – so you know you’re in good hands.
Australia wide lawn solutions – Australia’s largest turf research program
The Lawn Solutions Australia group produces over 50% of the domestic and commercial turf sold in Australia and is the only group that operates in every region and climatic zone in the land. This broad coverage allows us to research turf and develop new products and varieties over a broad range of Australian conditions.
Bringing the latest international developments to Australia
Because of the resources available to Lawn Solutions Australia we have formed alliances with major international breeders, giving us access to the latest developments overseas. In the future we’ll be able to introduce our unique gene pool, with their hardy characteristics, into the best from overseas. This will enable us the best chance to develop hardier, more drought tolerant and lower maintenance grasses for future generations of Aussie families and sports people.
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More than just turf
As always, Lawn Solutions Australia is about more than just turf. Our research and development program looks beyond turf varieties to better fertilisers, water saving products and advanced products to improve the growth of turf under harsh conditions such as those found in some regions of Australia.
The Lawn Solutions Australia mission
As our mission statement says, Lawn Solutions Australia aims “to become Australia’s leading researcher into turf varieties”. Read more about our vision and mission.
If may be surprising to realise that laying grass is far more cost effective than once thought. Whilst alternatives such as artificial turf, pavers and sandstone do offer their own benefits, the initial cost outlay is significantly higher per square metre. And when you have a large area to cover, the benefits of turf is that grass is definitely a more affordable option, regardless of the variety you choose to best suit your needs.
Improved property value
Ask anyone in the real estate industry and they’ll all agree that a home with a lush green lawn is a draw card for property buyers. Laying turf adds to the value of a home, whether it is due to the way it offers people a cool place to relax on a hot day or simply due to its beauty. A recent survey revealed homebuyers pay up to 19 per cent more for a house with lawn. Now that’s a significant benefit.
Turf offers health and lifestyle benefits
The reality is that there will always be children who want to run barefoot on cool grass, kids looking for the ultimate lawn to kick a footy on and a family seeking a comfortable surface for a picnic lunch. Alternatives to turf absorb heat and do nothing for the environment. Did you know that lawn has the ability to act as a natural filter and helps to remove dust and pollutants from the air? And since turf is a non-reflective surface, there is no nasty sun glare to deal with either.
Firstly, if you’re doing a complete garden renovation or creating a brand new garden, complete all other aspects of the garden first, garden edges, retaining walls and paths.
Clear the ground and check your soil type
Remove any existing vegetation and check if existing soil type is suitable or needs improving. For clay soils add gypsum, sandy soils add organic material, acid soils add lime and alkaline soils add sulphur.
Spread a quality turf underlay
Turf underlay is a particular blend of topsoil and organic materials, blended to give your new lawn the optimum balance of nutrients and minerals it needs for the roots to establish well. You can order Turfgro premium underlay from your local Lawn Solutions Australia turf grower, and have it delivered before you lay your turf or on the same day. Spread the underlay evenly to a depth of approximately 100-150mm. This is also the best time to check levels to ensure the desired fall for drainage.
Check the site levels and drainage
Check if the site needs excavating or filling and also look out for drainage issues and install ‘ag pipe’ (agricultural drainage pipe) if necessary. If you find that you do need to excavate and imported soil is required, allow 100-150mm for soil. Now you have the best-prepared area to lay your turf!
Once you have a reasonable amount of underlay levelled (we recommend 100mm), apply a starter fertiliser such as Lawn Launcher, this will encourage deeper root growth and really support your lawn in the establishment phase. See How To Lay Turf Part 2 for more about preparing the ground before lawn installation.
Start laying turf around the perimeter
If you are laying your turf on a slope, start at the bottom. Place your rolls or slabs of turf around the perimeter of the area and lay between the perimeter. Stagger the joints in a brickwork fashion to avoid erosion and butt the turf closely together to avoid gaps – this is where your turf can dry out and cause a patchy lawn.
Don’t throw turf offcuts away
When cutting is required use a sharp knife of shears, but don’t throw these off cuts away. When you have finished laying you will probably find there are a few unusual spaces to fill and these bits are perfect for that.
Water your new lawn as soon as possible
Water as soon as possible. If you are laying a large lawn, try and water as you go – especially on a hot day. If you have access to a roller, we recommend rolling the lawn to ensure good root contact with the soil.
Spring is an important time to fertilise, as your lawn breaks the winter dormancy. Your fertiliser application will assist the lawn to jump into growth as the weather warms up.
Fertilising your lawn in Summer
Summer fertilising helps your lawn maintain an even growth pattern. Most fertilisers have added minor nutrients, which work to give your lawn the correct balance of nutritional requirements to make you the envy of the street.
Fertilising your lawn in Autumn
Autumn fertilising prepares your lawn for the winter months. It encourages prolonged growth to ensure a thick coverage and extended colour. This application is the most important one of the year.
Soil types and lawn fertilisers
Everybody has different soil types and lawn fertilisers will work differently! In sandy soil fertilisers will leach very quickly, hence more applications to do the job. In a heavy clay soil your lawn fertiliser will last longer because of moister retention and slower water movement.
All lawn fertilisers work differently
Just to point out – all lawn fertilisers work differently, some require heaps of water when applied and give surge growth to your lawn, others are controlled release and require minimal water and work evenly over a longer period – they are my favourite!
What’s the best lawn fertiliser to use?
There are many types of lawn fertiliser available in the market – organic, chemically blended, slow release, liquids just to name a few – but my pick is Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser and here’s why: We like to apply a product that will spread easily and evenly, has low to no odour, requires minimal water, doesn’t make my lawn grow crazy overnight and gives even growth for an extended period of time. This fertiliser will keep your lawn in tiptop shape all year round.
Packed with both fast and slow-release granules with essential nutrients and trace elements to encourage strong growth and rich colour. Ideal for Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Sir Grange Zoysia, Zoysia Australis, Eureka Kikuyu, and all other lawn types. Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser is ideal for home lawns, sports fields, and golf courses.
Tip #1. Mow at the right height for your grass type
The proper height for mowing your lawn depends on your grass variety, season and growing conditions. Below is a rough guide for the correct mowing heights for the major different varieties of lawn grass:
Grass Variety
Lawn Mowing Height
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass
30-50mm
Sir Grange Zoysia Grass
10-50mm
TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda Grass
10-30mm
Eureka Kikuyu Grass
30-50mm
Platinum Zoysia Grass
20-30mm
Tip #2: Don’t mow your lawn too short
Don’t mow your lawn too short, as this can put your lawn under extreme stress. It can leave brown or bare looking patches on your lawn, and if cut too short regularly, can seriously deplete the lawn’senergy reserves and is an open invitation for weeds to invade and seed.
Tip #3: Reduce mowing height gradually
If your lawn is overgrown, gradually reduce it to the correct height over a few mows. Avoid taking too much off the leaf blade in one go as this can stress the grass and it may require additional irrigation to recover. Taking no more than one-third of the blade length each mow is a good general rule.
Tip #4: Mow your lawn regularly
Avoid long periods between mows – regular mowing is best. Keep in mind that your mowing routine may also need to change with the seasons. Sir Walter DNA Certified, for example, loves hot summers and will have vigorous growth during this time.
Tip #5: Keep your lawn mower blades sharp
Keep your mower well maintained; shape blades are crucial for a good cut. Blunt blades tend to tear, rather than cut the lawn.
