Are you wondering how long it takes for turf to establish?
Turf takes about 1 to 1.5 months to reasonably establish after being watered properly. It shouldn’t be easy for the turf to be pulled from the ground. Ultimately, however, takes about nine months for turf to fully establish. How well turf establishes depends on sun and water exposure as well as how you care for it. The soil should be damp in the establishment period. This will keep it nourished.
You might not know what the best time to lay turf is in your area. If you consider yourself an amateur when it comes to outdoor living, you might wonder whether you should take advantage of spring or whether you can plant at any point no matter the time of the year.
It is important to recognise that there are many varieties of grass. Sapphire Buffalo and Kikuyu, for example, are popular due to their year-round durability. They are generally drought-resistant, making them perfect for Australian conditions. Turf will require ongoing maintenance to establish, and stay healthy and green. While you can lay turf all-year round, the time at which you lay it will influence how long the turf takes to establish.
So how do you establish healthy turf?
“How long does turf take to establish” is a question we get asked often. Having a beautiful, lush, green lawn is a dream for many homeowners. Sometimes though it requires starting from new and creating that lawn from scratch. The cost of laying turf can seem pricey to begin with. However, if done correctly, it is a one-time cost. That is why it’s important to work with professionals who know what they’re doing, or at a base, to inform yourself on best practices.
Growing sod may be more costly than starting from seed but can save time. It also ensures that your lawn is ready when you want it. It is important to know then how to best care for your newly laid turf, and how long it will take for the turf to properly bed in and grow roots.
Watering
Watering your lawn deeply and regularly is key. The better you water your lawn in the early days, the longer and healthier the roots will be. The longer the roots, the more firmly attached it will be to the soil. And the healthier it will be overall. After 2 weeks or so the roots may be established, but they will still be quite shallow and will need another 4 weeks or so to be deeply rooted and established.
Laying your lawn
Making sure it is properly laid is crucial. Using a lawn roller immediately after installation can press the turf into the soil and help it root with the above tips.
Feeding
Lawn food is another vital component to making sure your turf beds in well. The resulting lawn will be green and lush. Using a slow release nitrogen lawn fertiliser will give the turf the boost it needs to grow root’s as well as giving the lawn a quick growth burst.
Stay off the Grass
Another tip is to stay off the lawn for a few weeks after it is laid. You don’t want to be damaging the sod before it even has a chance to root and establish itself. Not leaving anything heavy on it is also vital. You don’t want to create dead spots in your brand-new turf. Often setting up a perimeter around your new lawn will help others from walking on it too. This is easily done with some perimeter tape and garden posts.
Bonus tips – Watering
Watering is one of most important aspects of turf establishment. The first two weeks are crucial. Turf should be watered one or twice a day. Once you get to week 3, you can water the turf every second day. Week 4 will require the turf to be watered every second to third day.
Once this cycle is complete, you can water the turf once a week and when it looks a bit dry. Generally, however, one deep watering per week should help produce a drought-tolerant lawn.
How long does turf take to establish – Additional factors
Other than the water, fertiliser and using a lawn roller, a big component of how quickly it will bed will also depend on external factors outside our control. Such as the amount of sunlight and the temperature the day of installation as well as the days that follow. Too much rain and not enough sun can make it take longer. As well as the temperatures being too hot. The type of grass you choose to install will also vary the length of time needed for the turf to bed in, some varieties of lawn take longer to put their roots down.
When you have decided to get turf installed, or if you have questions about the cost of laying turf, our team at Rivers Edge Turf would be happy to assist you. With many years of experience and happy customers across Australia, you can rest assured you’ll have the best lawn possible.
If you’re still wondering what is the best time to lay turf, then we’ve created the perfect guide to help you select the best time!
How Rivers Edge Turf can help
Sourcing a good quality turf supplier will not only help with providing the right type of turf for your needs but also valuable advice on when to plant and how to lay it. As with most living plants, the best time is when the weather is not too hot or too cold, and the lawn will need to be in its active growing season as well.
To find out more useful tips and techniques for gardening sustainably, talk to the experts, Rivers Edge Turf on 02 4579 9009.
