Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 206Oct 10, 2011 1:52 pm For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 207Oct 10, 2011 2:12 pm Thanks Mclaren, I feel better already. LOL We decided it has to be done either this month or soon after the new year because but it was a toss up between a much needed air con or the front lawn this month and unfortunatley the air con won. So this means we can't do the lawn until the new year. There's too much to pay for in Nov and Dec as well. So I just I know its only october but I want to get into it and have all the info and stuff ready so we can get it done quickly once we start. There's a part of me that wants to push through and get it done properly given that it would all be a waste of time and money if the soil isn't right and I've seen so many neighbours over the years see their lawns go to ruin. I think I might try to do some ground covers anyway, just in small sections or something. I found the perlite at a local nursery for $8.70 for 5 litres which I thought was pretty good. We're not actually going to buy the full amount of turf for the front as its too expensive. We've decided we're going to get about 30mtrs of it (instead of about 100mtrs) and break it up and spread it around and watch it grow that way. We figure if we put all our money and effort into the soil then the grass should grow no problems. So yep, I just have to come to terms with a crummy looking front yard for about 3 months. Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 208Oct 10, 2011 2:16 pm You know what you could do - sign up with Mulchnet and either buy some cheap green mulch or if lucky get some free and pop that on your front garden with all the other good stuff added to your soil and then when you are ready to put the lawn in the soil should be really humming .. what do you think? Would look better than nothing. Our front garden at the moment has tiny plants and lots of mulch so not much to look at but it looks tidy. For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 209Oct 10, 2011 2:48 pm If you have a really clay soil, I would mix some sand through it with the cultivator and try to break it up as well as some good compost. And yep, give bentonite a miss, you dont need it like we out west do! As mentioned, zeolite from pool shops or from Bunnings in the pool section (product called zeobrite). If you cant find Bactivate, ask for Olsens biogreen (I am led to believe that Bunnings stock it).......and fwiw Mclaren, bactivate costs me $30 for 3kg locally. But bear in mind that 3kg has a coverage of 100m2 so it goes a long way. Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 210Oct 10, 2011 4:45 pm So you think we can prepare the soil now and then get the turf on next year? I like that idea but it still costs money.. we'll see how we go. LOL so much to pay for all at once when you move house. Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 211Oct 10, 2011 5:45 pm cheerupcharlie So you think we can prepare the soil now and then get the turf on next year? I like that idea but it still costs money.. we'll see how we go. LOL so much to pay for all at once when you move house. You're preaching to the converted! I think I am officially money free........until the end of the month Yeah, nothing to stop you prepping it now, but why not just pick up zeolite this month, bactivate/olsens next month etc and in 3 or 4 months you'll have it all to hand and then just go bang. As long as you can stand having a dirt yard in the meantime I guess....... Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 212Oct 13, 2011 12:11 am deeps We have these brown 'leaves' growing on the top of our empire zoysia. Are these normal? My wife is concerned that this is some kind of weeds. I have attached pictures. Also, how long after the lawn being laid is it ok to start mowing the lawn? Hi Deeps, Sounds all normal to me and just the lawn seeding. You might be feeding the lawn too much K or potassium? I personally would give it a month before mowing and only take up off a third... Have fun! Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 213Oct 13, 2011 12:36 am cheerupcharlie So you think we can prepare the soil now and then get the turf on next year? I like that idea but it still costs money.. we'll see how we go. LOL so much to pay for all at once when you move house. Hey there, Where abouts do you live? Forget about olsens there is no more.... Besides it's the same thing sort of... Use bactivate and forget about Bunnings they don't have access to it. Olsens/Bactivate contains 5 specific bacteria to fight disease and salinity. Bactivate Grow or Plus contains 3 microbes and a humate. Bactivate is unfortunately ATM only available in 25kg bags where as Bactivate grow is readily available in 3kg tubs for $25 so $44 is a bit steep! Fyi for the forum The term bioasis bactivate is wrong, Bioasis is just one of the distributors in VIC like "Healthy Plus" is the distributor in WA. It is a phenominal product that is used in agriculture and now also available for the home user. I have used it for the past 3-4 years in all sorts of applications and have had outstanding success in pure sand to good soil and pots. So cheerupcharlie stay strong do it yourself and take pride in a job well done when your finished! Muggy's idea of building up supplies is a great one and depending on where you are and what type of soil/sand your dealing with there are products available ready to use to assist you. Regards, Mattrix Hope that helps. Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 214Oct 13, 2011 7:47 am Mattrix cheerupcharlie Bactivate is unfortunately ATM only available in 25kg bags where as Bactivate grow is readily available in 3kg tubs for $25 so $44 is a bit steep! Regards, Mattrix Hope that helps. Hi Mattrix, I have had emails back and forth with the distributors of bactivate and they don't have an agent is SA - the best they could do was put me in touch with someone in Vic who is charging me $32 plus $12 postage for the 3kg bactivate grow. I am also going to get hold of some seamungus, perlite, zeolite and some certified organic compost which together with the molasses, powerfeed and seasol should get things humming in the garden! It would make it a lot easier if there was a one stop shop somewhere - can't someone on Home One get that organised? They would have lots of customers ... For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 216Oct 13, 2011 8:55 am Thanks Mattrix - I've already paid for it and it's on its way but would be helpful to others. Cheers Annette For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 217Oct 13, 2011 9:13 am I am sorry for repeating what others have probably asked but baby doesn't give me time to read 11 pages. We just built I'm on 1 acre they did a big site scrape to flatten out the front and back. The soil seems a bit sandy but it looks nice and rich when we dig it up, there is bits of grass growing all over it. We need top soil the fill they dug up fromt he tanks is filled with rock. Do we need to scrape away the top of what is down currently? Not sure what grass we are getting, I have no idea what our options are I just want normal grass lol we have about 1000sqm or so to turf. Do I put stuff in the soil then on the turf. Help meeeee Re: Fu Manchu's Guide to Laying Turf & More 218Oct 13, 2011 9:47 am Hey guys I got the following question: My lawn has been laid about 6 months ago. I understand that it is going through its first spring and it is normally during the warm season that the lawn grows. But I also have the weeds popping through here and there. I have been pulling them out from time to time but will this stop after a while or is it on on-going thing that will last forever? I'm about to put down some Merbau. Is it necessary to oil underneath the boards before laying? 0 1931 Hey There. No problems re jumping in. My original question was "should I have waterproofed" the concrete slab before putting batons down. We have been told we should… 7 4327 They using concrete or timber sleepers? Timber or steel uprights? Any drainage behind sleeper? 3 5863 |