Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jul 27, 2009 5:04 pm Hi All, Our house is a couple of weeks away from being completed and am now thinking about what we are going to do about turfing. We need to do approx 120 square metres (front and back included) and got a quote for about $2500. I nearly fell over - maybe i'm unreasonable but it is just grass after all isn't it? So we're thinking of doing it ourselves. Can anyone tell me what we need to do? How hard/easy it is? Please bear in mind we are by no means gardening/handyman type people whatsoever. And whether it was worth it to DIY. Thanks in advance. Re: DIY Turf 2Jul 27, 2009 6:58 pm I'm in a similiar situation although the house is a bit further away from being completed. I've found a number of good tips and videos by searching the web (look for turf laying and turf preparation) which have filled me with enough confidence to DIY when the time comes. But..I haven't done it before and can't comment on that aspect. I am by no means an expert, but my basic study into costing includes the following:
* If the existing soil is in good condition, it probably doesn't need too much in the way of preparation. May need to be fertilized or dug-up (with a rotary hoe) however. I'm also planning to put down a layer of topsoil before putting the turf on - haven't quite worked out how much topsoil is needed though. * The cost of the grass per square metre - obviously depends on what you choose and any delivery costs I would certainly think you could do the job yourself for cheaper, but it would depend on how much work the block of land needs to suit your requirements. Re: DIY Turf 4Jul 27, 2009 8:42 pm OK, Souvlaki is gone. hmmmmmmm souvlaki OK here is laying turf. Preparation, then some Preparation Then Preparation Then lay the turf. First things first, prepare your levels. remove any rock, weeds and rubble etc. Irrigation is next. How are you going to water it? Tank? Grey Water? Plumb up your systems to your sprinkler system, Make sure you have an overlap in your sprinkler coverage. I would add a wetting agent depend adding on the surface soil, before adding your 50-100mm topsoil. Level it out and roll it. Before you order your grass, make sure you check the weather for the day it arrives. and try to get an early morning delivery, or the last delivery. This way it wont dry out when you unroll it. It will need a good amount of water over the first few weeks. Scatter your joins like brickwork on a house, then add a layer of sand to fill in the gaps. Have a look on sites like hgturf who have info on turf laying. http://www.ancoturf.com.au/faqs/how-to-lay [url]http://www.hgturf.com.au/inl_guide_lawn.html][/url] This is really simplistic, but have a look at turf sites, or ask away. As for they types to use, the Fu man will set you straight. Adrian B Re: DIY Turf 5Jul 29, 2009 1:07 am I will say that is an excellent run down there Adrian. I don't suggest just layering good top soil on though for a few reasons. It holds a layer of moisture close to the surface so in the heat, your soil will dry faster and the lawn will need more water than one done a bit different. The roots will also grow deeper than that so what you want it a nice layer about 400mm (I sometimes go 500mm) thick. The same volume but with it all turned over into the clay soil or sandy soil here in sunny Perth It makes the clay more friable and gets a good deep root system going. Nutrients and water are also held more evenly throughout the soils structure saving water in summer. You could chuck in some clay breaker too but that won't have much effect for a while to come. They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5830 Assuming the structure of your cabinetry is good then I would DIY everything as follows: - replace your counter tops entirely, - replace all drawer runners with soft close… 1 4776 |