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.
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, 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.
ColourGuard is actually a natural plant-based colourant that allows your lawn to remain green all year round, even during droughts and extreme temperatures.
Benefits of using ColourGuard
1. Restores the natural green colour of your lawn – instantly!
2. Drastically reduces the need to water your lawn in periods of drought
3. Stays green for up to 3 months per application
4. Won’t wash off, run or stain
5. Completely safe for the environment, pets and people
6. 100% eco-friendly and non-toxic
ColourGuard has been developed to give you the best lawn in the street on drought, frost affected or dormant grass. It instantly restores the natural colour of your grass while at the same time increases your grass health.
What is ColourGuard?
ColourGuard is a natural organic grass treatment product that strengthens and protects grass under extreme conditions and instantly restores the colour. ColourGuard is the best option to re-introduce a green pigment back into the natural grass blades. This has been achieved through years of research, being proactive is key to healthy long living green lawn.
How to use ColourGuard
Attach your hose to the 2 Litre Ready To Use bottle, or mix the 100ml concentrate with water in a pressure sprayer as per the bottle instructions.
Spray evenly across your lawn, working from methodically from one side to another.
When spraying near hard surfaces like paths and driveways, stand on the surface and spray the ColourGuard away from the surface onto your lawn.
Leave your lawn to dry for at least 2 hours afterwards (if in full sunlight), or longer if it is shady.
Buy ColourGuard online
It’s easy to buy ColourGuard online direct from the Lawn Store, in two sizes:
Once ColourGuard has dried on the grass leaf in most cases within 2 hours provided there is full sunlight that day.
What happens if it rains?
Once the application has set into your lawn it will not wash ColourGuard away or cause any unwanted affect.
Can I mow my lawn after ColourGuard application?
Yes. Providing you don’t set the mower too low and scalp your lawn. ColourGuard is permanent and will disappear as the grass leaf grows. Mowing through winter is only to remove and clean up leaves and debris from your lawn.
The median cost of turf per square metre is $28.48, which is approximately a quarter of the cost of the next cheapest alternative, concrete. This table shows the median costs per square metre of various groundcovers, such as turf, concrete, pavers and planting, which makes it very clear what great value turf is. The fact that a newly turfed lawn invariably increases your property’s visual appeal and value makes it an obvious choice for landscapers and homeowners alike.
Surface
Median cost (m2)
Natural Turf
$28.48
Synthetic Grass
$168.00
Pavers
$180.00
Sandstone
$218.50
Concrete
$115.50
Mass Garden Planting
$139.90
These figures are based on data from the Landscape Association of NSW and include costs for site and surface preparation, underlay, supply and installation.
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass is the most popular lawn Australia wide, with over 70 million metres sold to over 500,000 Aussie homes!
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass looks good in full sun and shade and requires less water than other common varieties.
Sir Walter lawns are an evergreen addition to your home – properly maintained they’ll NEVER need replacing. Sir Walter buffalo grass bounces back after the toughest of droughts, unlike competitor lawns which frequently need replacing.
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass is a much cheaper landscaping feature than gardens and pavers. Because of its superior shade tolerance it can be used in more places, saving you money.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass is resistant to insect attack, significantly reducing the need of pesticides.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass rarely suffers severe fungus, reducing the need for using fungicides on your lawn.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass is actually low allergenic – no ‘itchies’ for the kids and pets.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass has a dense cover reducing weed infestation, meaning less herbicide usage.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass will keep your home up to 10 degrees cooler than bare soil, 20 degrees cooler than concrete and 40 degrees cooler than artificial turf.
Sir Walter DNA Certified buffalo grass is 100% Aussie born & bred. Despite competitor claims, no other grass variety has been cultivated from it.
