Preparing the ground for new turf

1. Clear the area

Remove old grass, weeds, rocks and roots. Dig out anything that will stop the soil settling evenly.

2. Level and shape

Rake the ground level and shape it to fall gently away from the house so water drains off. Fill low spots now — they are harder to fix once turf is down.

3. Spread under turf soil

Spread about 100mm of under turf soil across the whole area and rake it smooth. Use Premium Under Turf Soil on poor ground or when you want faster establishment.

4. Choose the right variety

Sir Walter for shaded yards, Empire Zoysia for sunny spots with less water and mowing, Wintergreen for resilience in cooler months, and Soft Buffalo for something soft underfoot. Compare them in best turf for Brisbane.

5. Lay promptly and water in

Lay turf as soon as it arrives, staggering the joins like brickwork. Water thoroughly straight away and keep it moist while the roots take hold.

6. Top dress later

Once the lawn is established, a top dress fills small hollows and feeds the grass. You can apply it at any time of year.

A simple timeline

• One to two weeks before: remove the old grass and weeds, and sort out drainage or irrigation.
• A few days before: rip or dig over compacted ground and spread under turf soil about 100mm deep.
• The day before: level and lightly roll the soil, then water it so it is damp but not muddy.
• Turf day: lay the turf as soon as it arrives, ideally the same day.

Getting the levels right

Finish the soil about 25–30mm below paths, edges and driveways so the turf sits flush once laid. Slope the area gently away from the house. A long straight board dragged across the soil shows up high and low spots better than the eye can.

Watering new turf

Water the turf straight after laying, enough to soak the soil underneath. For the first week or two, keep it moist every day, more often in hot or windy weather. Once the roots have taken hold and you can no longer lift a corner easily, water less often but more deeply to encourage deep roots.

Ordering soil and turf together

Book the soil to arrive a few days before the turf so you have time to spread and level it. Our calculator works out both: cubic metres of soil and square metres of turf, with a little extra for cuts.