Best Time of Year to Lay Turf

If you are considering refurbishing a damaged area of the garden, or creating a new lawn, you might be wondering when is the best time of year to lay turf in Queensland. After all, you want to make sure you will be able to enjoy a thriving, lush green lawn. You definitely do not want dried out, dead grass as testament to an unsuccessful effort and wasted dollars. A few guidelines would help you plan the project.

Time of Year

The best time of year to lay turf is when it is an active growing period for grass and the weather is moderate. Even an established lawn has trouble surviving in extreme heat so newly laid turf may quickly become stressed and die. The colder soil temperature in late autumn and winter might cause grasses to move into a semi-dormant state, making it more difficult for turf to establish a new root system.

It is possible, though, to put down new turf at any time of the year, as long as extra care and attention is paid during cooler and hot months. Here are some guidelines for successfully laying turf during different seasons:

• Spring is the ideal time when the grass will be actively growing and can establish a deep root system
• If you must lay turf during the summer, do it at the beginning of the season or when temperatures are still mild enough to allow a new lawn to establish itself
• Autumn is second to spring as the best time to lay new turf when the high temperatures have moderated, and the grass is still growing, promoting a good root system
• It is possible to lay turf during the early part of winter, but check long range weather forecasts as there is always a concern about frost and very low temperatures 

Preparation and Timing

Regardless of exactly what time of the year turf is laid out, there are some basic steps to follow to ensure a successful result:

• Be sure the area is well prepared to accept the new turf by removing all weeds, adding fertilizer and an under turf soil if needed, and ensuring the area is level
• Lay turf as soon as it arrives, and do not let it sit in the sun longer than necessary; newly delivered turf will quickly dry out, and you cannot water stacked rolls of turf
• Be sure to water the lawn as soon as it is laid down, and then daily for at least a week
• Roll the lawn to prevent air pockets and to help ensure root development
• During hot weather, lay a small section at a time, using granular or liquid soil wetters to make the most of your watering 

With proper attention and effort, you can look forward to a proper Aussie lawn in a very short time. If you need assistance in planning your new turf project, be sure to talk to the experts at Centenary Landscaping. Remember that they are also available to install larger projects or ones that may be a bit beyond the time or energy you can commit.