When it comes to growing turf, it’s just like growing any plant really; a good soil-bed, water, light, nutrients and a bit of maintenance are all required to keep it in good condition. And just like preparing a garden bed, if you can apply similar attention to the quality and depth of your soil then you’ll be way ahead in the long-run. When Turfgrowers are preparing new paddocks for planting of a new turf type, they will go to great lengths to get the soil prepared so it is easier to keep the crop weed-free and productive for a number of years. In most cases it will involve some weed spraying, deep ripping, some cultivation, maybe some levelling and drainage work, soil testing, amelioration with additives (gypsum, lime etc.) and fertilisers and trace elements depending on soil test results. More often-than-not the paddock may be left fallow (not planted) for a number of months to allow any further weed-seeds to germinate and then further weed-spraying, cultivation, possible rolling and even fumigation may take place prior to finally planting the new turf crop.
The work doesn’t stop there of course with pre-emergent herbicide applications, fertilising, irrigation, regular mowing, hand-spot-weeding and other foliar applications taking place before the turf is ready for harvest. Depending on the location and turf-type that could take anywhere between six and eighteen months or thereabouts before the turf is healthy and strong enough to be cut and rolled-up ready for delivery. So with this in mind, consider a similar approach to your new lawn for best long-term results:
Lawn Solutions Australia has an extensive selection of specifications for lawn establishment and to see further details on preparing your soil, click here