What's the step to lay down turf?

I laid turf once when I was young and fit and 8k could be cheaper than physio. But. Ouch. Expensive.

 

Already seeing osteo now from desk work

 

$8k is cheaper than we were quoted down here. I think DH and some mates may end up doing it by the time we get to it.

Be interested to see how you go, keep us posted!

 

Go the Zoysia, I laid it 3 weeks ago. It's awesome

Grade the ground
50mm under turf (top soil)
Strap a wood paling to a rake to make a screed rake, screed it
Roll turf
Water.
Stare at it.

We got quoted 6k, I did it myself for about $1200

 

And that's just the quote . Still, when you see all the work that goes into it, you can see why. At least for the bobcat part, I just pay with a smile wherever possible. I just had all the very old concrete removed from my yards in Parkes - somewhere north of 5.5K. Tip fees cost a lot.

 

I was told the retaining walls will cost additional several grand on to
I can see why especially in regards of labour cost, but budget is tight and I'm quite happy to do the sweating if needed. Looking at Kennards, are these machine easy to use?

 

@EN710 what did I tell ya the other day re these costs....

 

Darn you the-person-who-know-things -better-than-I-do
Send me your workers for free

 

As you suggested then, If I head down your way I can help with the labour....

 

So wrong...

You could suffer serious issues from dehydration. At some point around / after roll turf you may need a beer. Repeat often.

 

Okay... I did this only a few years back. Preparation is the key...

• Start by removing all traces of previous soil/weeds/grasses;
• pack in a good amount of top soil (I used grass compost);
• level off the soil as much as possible (I just used an old piece of timber and got down on my hands and knees);
• spread lawn starter fertiliser (should come with your lawn if not easy to get at Bunnings etc.);
• lightly roll or water the area into a firm surface;
• (proll out your instant lawn in a brick work pattern ushing individual strips together firmly but avoid stretching and do not overlap);
• topdress the joins with washed coarse sand;
• water water water water water... ill post pics shortly.

 

I did new lawn for the backyard about a year ago now. The yard was sloping down towards the shed (and had a high spot up the far end), so wasn't level with the concrete out the back, so I decided to build a brick retaining wall (and vege patch) and level it all off as well.

1. Ripped up the old, weed happy, previous lawn using a shovel and pick (had a couple of helpers) - I don't recommend this, it took ages, but I wanted the exercise. Hire a tool to make it easier.
2. Measured the area and determined how much soil I needed, to be 2"+ thick.
3. Ordered 80/20 sand/soil mix to be delivered with the new buffalo grass.
4. Put down the soil mix and evened it all out.
5. Rolled out the lawn
6. Lots and lots and lots of water!

Before:

20160112_173828 by mikey7 posted 9th Nov, 2017 at 5:40 PM

During:

20160923_111252 by mikey7 posted 27th Dec, 2016 at 9:48 PM

After:

20161104_104501 by mikey7 posted 27th Dec, 2016 at 9:50 PM

It looks even better now that the garden has grown up.

 

@GetRIDof5CENTpiece looking forward to the photos

@mikey7 how long did t take you to level, and is it easy to make the brick retaining wall?

 

First pic is before and next three are preparation.
Pics 5-6 are the day of rolling the turf and sand to fill in gaps.
Next is three weeks later at first mow.
Final two are exactly one year later

Turf is Sir Walter Buffalo

 

Looking awesome! And You have a Pom!!! That’s a nice size yard, may I ask how big? You have a Pom! I might stalk you when I’m finally there

 

Once the grass was removed.. took about 2 hours to level. Had to bring the soil from the roadway (where the truck dumped it) to the backyard using a couple of wheel barrows (many trips).

Once it was all at the back, I used brickies string to find the height I wanted, and levelled it all to that. Made it heaps easier to level properly.

The brick retaining wall is fairly easy too.. but I'm no brickie so took me a few days.
1. Dig footings.
2. Pour concrete in footings and level off, let dry for a few days.
3. Mark your levels, and using brickie string (not sure of its actual name?) mark it all out.
4. Mix cement from bags into a wheelbarrow, start laying bricks.
5. Once dry, clean the bricks (I hadn't done that yet in the pics).

I built a massive brick and aluminium front fence, so had about 600 bricks left over. I plan on building a brick outdoor kitchen with what's left over, at some point.
Take the top off the bbq, and the front doors etc, and build it into a brick thing, and have a stone (or concrete) bench top on either side. Then encorporate a pizza firepit somehow

If only I had more money and more time in the day..

 

Yeah 3 year old pure bred pom... I see you have one too
The yard (not including alfresco) is 11 x 12.5m.
I just read you are doing the yard in Melbourne... where about's... as I can share my supplier details in South East if you like.

 

the breeder of my boy is in Victoria and he's almost 4 years old now. Also have a new girl 4.5 months old.

I am in Tarneit, so a bit far but I can check your supplier cover the area

 

Your 4 year old boy looks identical to my 3 year old girl - are they related



The turf guys will definetly supply Sir Walter DNA Certified Instant Buffalo Lawn in Victoria

Less sure on the soil though... but give them a bell (request the Turf Blended Soil) SOIL,TOPSOIL, BLENDED SOIL, MUSHROOM COMPOST (also get the sand from them)

 

My error!