Planting your shredded lawn (runners)

The cost-effective alternative for larger lawn areas...

Introduction

Planting a shredded lawn enables the home owner a cost effective method of obtaining a beautiful lawn.  It is generally around 1/10th of the cost of roll-out instant lawn.  Santa Ana and Winter Green are not recommended for totally shaded areas.  Winter Green requires 50% direct sunlight whilst Santa Ana will tolerate slightly less sunlight and will grow with only 40% direct sunlight.

Soil Types

Perth soil types are generally of a sandy nature and have little capacity to retain nutrients or moisture until the turf is well established.

Shredded turf will grow in a wide variety of soil types, especially on sands.  It is beneficial that some sort of soil amendment is used.

Soil Amendment

The incorporation of suitable soil, mixed with existing soil, will aid the soil's ability to hold moisture and nutrients, giving your lawn the benefits of less water and fertiliser requirements.

When amending soil with any water retention mixes or soil improvers, for example, well decomposed chicken manure, landscaping mixes, loam, peat, sewerage sludge, etc., they should be applied at a thickness of at least 3 to 5mm and incorporated into the soil by rotary hoeing or digging it in to 100 to 150mm deep.  Clay or gravel should be covered with at least 75mm of good soil, of a sandy nature.  The addition of gypsum to clay soils at the rate of 100 to 150 grams per square metre is recommended.

Soil Preparation

For best results, loosen the soil with a rotary hoe or spade to a depth of 100 to 150mm.  Rake and smooth the soil, removing rocks, roots and large pieces of debris.  Level the desired area with the back of a rake or a levelling board.

Slopes can often make attractive lawns, but maintenance will be more difficult and water penetration may be poor.  If the ground is not levelled before planting, high spots will be scalped by the mower leaving a patchy appearance.  Minor unevenness can be overcome by topdressing.

The final level should be approximately 3 to 6mm below any adjacent paths or driveways.

Planting of Stolons (runners)

Stolons are fresh when supplied from the farm.  It is essential to plant them while still fresh.  However, if it is not possible to plant them the same day as purchased, empty the bag and spread to a height of no more than 100mm and keep damp, preferably in a shaded, wind protected area.

Spread stolons over surface using one bag per 80 square metres.  It is important to spread evenly without clumps.  As a guide to spreading the stolons, one 10L bucket cover approximately 80 square metres

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Repeatedly roll with a disc roller until all stolons are buried.  Six to eight runs in different directions is usually sufficient.

When there is a large area to be planted out, plant small sections at a time and commence watering immediately.  For best results, roll planted area with a water roller (available at most good hire places).  This

compacts the soil, levels irregularities and assures close contact with the soil and stolons necessary for prompt growth as well as giving you a 'professional finish'.

Watering

It is essential to keep the ground moist for the first two to three weeks, until a good root system is established.  A firm moist soil bed helps achieve a rapid establishment of lawn.  This may require frequent light waterings (5 to 10 minutes several times a day), then it becomes a gradual process of reducing the frequency of watering, but increasing watering time, to encourage deep rooting.  Once established, shredded turf will only require one or two heavy waterings per week, depending on temperature and soil conditions.

Greenacres Turf Farm shredded lawn will be free of weeds, but weed seed may be present in your soil, or may have blown in by previous winds.  Remove weeds before seed head forms.

Fertilising

Seven days after planting, fertilise at a rate of 2kg per 100 square metres, every two weeks, until fully established.  Only a 'lawn starter' fertiliser should be used in this establishment period.

Mowing

Do not allow your lawn to grow more than 25mm before the first mowing.  Do not wait until the lawn is completely covered before the first mowing.  A rotary mower is ideal for the first few mowings, due to the damage which may occur to reel mowers.  Frequent mowing will encourage the spreading of runners and a more even lawn.

For best results, once your lawn is established, mow at least once per week during the growing season, with a reel mower.