Establish your new turf

 

Want to get your turf off to a great start?
Here's our step-by-step guide:

Preperation

  • Prepare the soil: remove stones and weeds and level the surface
  • If necessary replace top soil or add proper substrate
  • Don't forget drainage: create natural drainage with sand-based substrates or artificial drainage with drainpipes
  • Check pH and base elements – correct if necessary
  • Choose the best seed mixture for the specific purpose
  • Consider Professional Seed Technology enhancements
  • For seeding rate, see the product information sheets for your species/seed mixture – typical seeding rate is around 30 g/m²
  • Ensure the substrate is reasonably humid before sowing

Sowing

  • Sowing by machine gives better results and more homogeneous germination – broadcasting is less precise
  • Sow to a depth of around 2 mm for difficult, small-seeded species (Poa pratensis) and to a maximum of 10 mm for most other species – for pure Lolium species you could go deeper to maximum of 30mm – these depths assume that the surface is firm
  • Sowing depth considerations are supposing the surface is firm
  • Roll the surface with a light roller – not necessary if the sowing machine incorporates a roller
  • Keep the surface moist for 2 to 3 weeks
  • If the substrate harbours weed seeds, you may need to apply a broadleaf herbicide within the first month or two of growth – use a herbicide tolerated by young grass plants
  • Apply the first cut when the grass is 5 cm to 6 cm tall and tillering has started – the rooting is just as important as the above-ground impression; a rotary mower is better than a cylinder mowe
  • The timing of the first cut also helps with weed control