First things first — clear out the area where you’ll be laying your new turf.
Pull up any weeds by hand or treat them with a weed killer like glyphosate (e.g., Roundup) and allow about 7–10 days for it to fully take effect.
Clear away any debris like rocks, sticks, and leftover roots.
Important: If you’re removing an old lawn, make sure to completely kill off the existing grass before laying the new turf. This is especially important if you’re replacing a couch variety with a buffalo or zoysia lawn — otherwise, the old grass might creep back and ruin your new look.
For large jobs, save yourself time and rent a turf cutter — it makes light work of stripping away the old lawn!
Products like Slasher are great, but they may take a little longer to work.
You might need to treat stubborn patches twice.
With the area cleared, it’s time to break up and refresh the soil to make it ready for your turf.
Use a rotary hoe (you can hire one easily) to dig into the soil to a depth of around 150mm. Alternatively, if you’re up for a good workout, use a garden fork to manually turn it over.
As you go, remove any new rocks, clumps, or roots that pop up.
For sandy soils, which tend to drain fast but struggle to hold nutrients, you’ll definitely want to add a good-quality soil mix to boost fertility and structure.
Got heavy clay soil? It’s a good idea to do a pH test now (kits available at Bunnings and similar stores).
If the soil is too alkaline (high pH), treat it with gypsum.
If the soil is too acidic (low pH), add lime to balance it out.
Spread a layer of quality turf underlay across the area.
Aim for a minimum depth of 50mm – 100mm for all types of grass and allow about 2m³ of soil per 20m² of turf.
Rake the soil to create a smooth, even surface and gently firm it down.
Pro Tip: Make sure the final level is at least 75mm below any weep holes in nearby walls to comply with building standards.
Go for a sandy loam blended with organic material for the best results.
If you’re using composted products like manure, make sure they are properly broken down to avoid burning your turf.
For Zoysia lawns, we recommend using a premium sandy loam enriched with organic matter — it’s the best foundation for a healthy, thriving lawn.
Time to bring your new lawn to life!
Sketch out the space and measure all the dimensions carefully — it doesn’t need to be fancy, just clear enough to calculate your turf needs.
You can also use our handy Turf Calculator to double-check your numbers.
Order your turf online or give us a call to place an order.
Reach out to us! We’ll help you work it out and even recommend the best turf variety for your site.
Now for the exciting part — it’s time to roll out your new lawn!
Start along the longest straight edge (like a fence or driveway) and lay the turf slabs tightly together, staggering the joints in a brickwork pattern.
Avoid stretching or overlapping the pieces.
As you lay each piece of turf, gently press it down to ensure good contact with the soil underneath.
If you notice air pockets or uneven spots, lightly lift the turf and pat some underlay underneath to level it out.
Use a roller or simply walk over the newly laid turf to help it settle and ensure strong root contact with the soil.
Lay your turf as soon as it’s delivered — the fresher it is, the better it will establish.
If it’s a hot day, sprinkle water over newly laid sections as you go to prevent drying out.
Your fresh turf is thirsty! Water it immediately after laying — a deep, thorough soak is essential.
Avoid heavy foot traffic for the first month to give your lawn the best chance to settle in strong and healthy!
You’re well on your way to a lush, beautiful lawn that’s ready for backyard barbecues, family games, or simply soaking up some sunshine.
If you’d rather leave it to the pros, don’t forget — our turf-laying team is always ready to help with a free onsite quote and expert installation.
