One of the best ways to improve your property’s landscaping is to install a lawn.
Not only does it add a visually appealing green space in which you and your family can relax, but also a wildlife-friendly area that increases your property’s value and biodiversity.
Installing a lawn may seem straightforward, but it isn’t that easy. There are several steps to consider, including soil preparation, lawn seed type, and edging that only a professional landscaper can master.
Here, we look at a detailed and professional step-by-step guide for a stress-free lawn installation in Sydney.
Choose the Right Soil
The type of soil you use for under lawn will determine whether your yard flourishes or fails.
Like plants, grass obtains natural soil elements like nitrogen and phosphorus to help it grow strong and healthy.
Soil comprises four major components:
- Water – 25%
- Air – 25%Organic minerals – 45%
- Organic matter (microorganisms and macro-organisms) – 5%
The perfect soil for lawns is loamy. This soil has the ideal balance of sand, clay, and silt, which holds moisture and drains well when watered. These qualities allow it to allow airflow and retain nutrients, making it easy for plants to thrive.
Test Your Soil
Good soil must have the proper pH to enable your lawn grass to thrive.
The best way to determine if the ground you intend to use for your lawn has a suitable pH is by performing a soil test. Your landscaper will take a small amount of soil from your property to your local soil lab and have them carry out soil analysis.
Most lawn grasses prefer a soil pH between 5.8 and 7.2. In the summer, grasses can tolerate slightly lower pH, while in the winter, grasses prefer a more alkaline pH.
Prepare Your Soil
Your landscaper will clear the planting area by removing any debris or rocks which could interfere with lawn growth.
The next step involves raking the surface to eliminate dirt and then spraying the area to moisten the soil. Water ensures that the new and delicate sod does not die.
Choose the Best Lawn Seed
Pick lawn seed that will survive where you live.
Do you have trees or shades around your home? Too much shade may interfere with your lawn growth for lack of enough sunlight for your turf.
You should also consider the type of lawn seed to use for your area and requirements. You can opt for:
Hand-seeded Lawns
Using grass seeds like buffalo grass can withstand shade, requiring low maintenance and less sunlight. Unfortunately, as lawn seed sprouts, weed seeds also come up, requiring more intensive care.
Hydroseeding
Another lawn seed option is hydroseeding. The papery mulch keeps seeds warm, encouraging better germination than hand-seeding.
Sod
Sod is another standard option as it has instant aesthetic appeal, low initial maintenance, and a tight root system that limits weed growth. However, it can also be more prone to disease than a seeded lawn and has higher initial installation costs.
Artificial Turf
Finally, you could also opt for artificial turf, which needs no maintenance beyond clearing the surface of leaves and other debris. However, artificial turf tends to overheat in the sun and may not be ideal for families with small children or pets.
As you select the type of lawn you want, ensure that you always go for high-quality installations that will thrive in your surroundings.
Feeding Soil With Fertilizer
Before laying your lawn seeds, ensure that you have fertilized the soil to enhance seed growth and reduce seed exposure to pests and diseases.
The standard granular fertilizer releases nutrients within days. However, a slow-release fertilizer that gives grass nutrients for weeks releases phosphorous, enabling the roots to take hold and the blades and stems the nitrogen they need to form a lush, green turf. However, you’ll need to be prepared to pay more for this fertilizer as it costs on average 10 – 15x more per pound of nitrogen than a traditional granular fertilizer.
Planting and Edging the Grass Seed
Your landscaper will use a lawn spreader to distribute the grass seeds evenly across your prepared lawn area. They will also rake the site to ensure the lawn seeds are 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep into the soil and then water and edge your grass seed as the final step.
Lawn edging involves creating a demarcation line that finishes the lawn installation giving it visual appeal, functionality, and a professional finish. It creates a barrier between the lawn and any adjacent flower beds to keep the grass from creeping into beds, making them look unattractive.
We do not recommend using chemical weed killer at this stage as the residue can kill the sod and stop it from germinating. If you must use weed killers, wait at least three weeks before planting your grass seeds.
Looking For Lawn Installation in Sydney?
A well-maintained lawn is aesthetically pleasing and gives your property an instant value boost.
For that, you need professional lawn installation Sydney services. GreenEdge Turf and Garden Care can provide lawn installation for both residential and commercial properties. We are affordable, timely, and friendly and assure you a finished product that transforms your space.
Get in touch with us now or call 0478 790 855 to learn more and schedule your next lawn installation in Sydney.
