Lawn Preparation & Installation
Why South Coast Locals Choose Southern Turf
20+ Years of Experience
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It’s our Own Turf Farm
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Lawn Preparation & Installation Guide – by Southern Turf
As South Coast locals, we know how much pride we take in our outdoor spaces — whether it’s a backyard in Bega, a garden in Milton/Ulladulla, or a coastal retreat in Moruya. At Southern Turf, we’re passionate about helping homeowners create lush, durable lawns that thrive in our unique coastal conditions.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know — from measuring and preparing your site to installing and caring for your new lawn — so you can enjoy a vibrant, low-maintenance green space all year round.
Step 1 – Measuring & Ordering Your Lawn
Before ordering your new turf, it’s vital to measure accurately so you know exactly how many square metres you’ll need.
For squares or rectangles, multiply the width by the length (e.g., 6 m × 4 m = 24 m²). For circular areas, measure the radius and calculate using (radius × radius × 3.14). If your yard includes irregular shapes, divide it into smaller sections such as rectangles or triangles, then add up the totals.
Always allow a little extra for trimming and shaping — about 5% for simple areas and 10% for irregular or sloped areas.
Click the images below for more information on measuring accurately.
Step 2 – Preparing Your Site for a New Lawn
Good preparation is the secret to a healthy, long-lasting lawn. Spending time getting your site ready now will save you effort later.
Spray out existing grass or weeds with a suitable herbicide and wait at least seven days before removing roots, rocks, and debris. Level the ground to ensure proper drainage away from your home. Before levelling, consider installing an automatic sprinkler or drip irrigation system to make future watering easier and more consistent.
Always allow a little extra for trimming and shaping — about 5% for simple areas and 10% for irregular or sloped areas.
Step 3 – Preparing the Soil
Healthy soil equals a healthy lawn. On the South Coast of NSW, Eurobodalla, Bega and Shoalhaven, clay soils benefit from gypsum to break up compaction, while sandy soils need compost or organic matter to retain moisture.
A good lawn base mix is about 70% sand and 30% soil, laid to a depth of 50–100 mm. Use this formula to estimate how much soil you’ll need: Lawn Area × Soil Depth × 1.6 = Tonnes of soil required (e.g., 52 m² × 0.1 × 1.6 = 8.32 tonnes). Always use weed-free soil and confirm its quality with your supplier.
Rake smooth, apply a premium starter fertiliser, and water lightly before laying your turf.
Step 4 – Installing Your New Lawn
Turf should be laid immediately upon delivery — ideally within 24 hours — to keep it fresh and vibrant.
Start along a straight edge, such as a path or fence. Lay rolls tightly together with no overlaps, staggering joins in a brick pattern. Trim edges neatly with a sharp knife or spade. On slopes, always lay across the slope for better stability. Once complete, roll the area to improve contact between soil and turf, and water within 30 minutes of installation.
Step 5 – Watering Your New Lawn
New turf has no established root system, so consistent watering is crucial for the first six weeks.
- Weeks 1–2: Water 2–3 times daily to keep the surface moist.
- Weeks 3–4: Water once daily or every second day as roots establish.
- Weeks 5–6: Water 1–2 times per week, applying around 25 mm of water.
Adjust based on weather conditions — up to 4 times daily in hot weather, or less during cooler or rainy periods. The best time to water is early morning (between 4 am and 10 am) to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal disease.
Step 6 – Post-Installation Care
You can mow your new lawn once the turf has rooted firmly into the soil — usually after 2–4 weeks. Keep your mower on a high setting and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Regular mowing encourages thicker growth.
Apply a slow-release fertiliser about four weeks after installation, then fertilise seasonally in early spring, early summer, and late summer.
Step 7 – Long-Term Lawn Health
By six weeks, your lawn should be well established. Maintain deep watering, regular mowing, and seasonal feeding. Monitor for weeds and pests, addressing issues early to keep your turf lush and green. With the right care, your Southern Turf lawn will stay vibrant for years — perfect for family barbecues and relaxed coastal living.
Talk to Southern Turf
If you’re ready to start your project or need advice on the best turf for your property, contact Southern Turf. We’re proud to help local homeowners create beautiful, long-lasting lawns that thrive in our coastal climate. Let’s build a lawn you’ll love coming home to.
Real Local South Coast NSW Customer Reviews
If there was 10 stars I would give them. Right from the start Melissa made things easy, she was very knowledgeable and could not have been more helpful and made the ordering and delivery process so easy. The guys that delivered and installed the turf were exceptional as well and did a great job and even stacked what was left over for me !! The turf (Palmetto Buffalo) is great and looks amazing !! I cannot recommend Southern Turf enough - you will not be disappointed !! Thanks again guys !!
I thought good customer service didn’t exist anymore until I found Southern Turf on the NSW South Coast!! My lawn is looking so lush and beautiful! Thank you Southern Turf for giving me the front yard of my dreams.
The team at Southern Turf are not only really helpful with product knowledge, customer service but also provide the best product. Being a landscaper, it is extremely important to have a great product to provide for my clients. Highly recommend for anyone in the Eurobodalla.
Highly recommend Southern Turf, been dealing with Melissa and Nick and driver Sean my dealings with all 3 have been treated with expert service and been well informed along the process, keep up the great work will defiantly use your company again, Love your work team Southern Turf.