Outdoor Fix-Ups: Laying Lawn in One Weekend
Spend a spring weekend turning a barren backyard into a lush lawn, and it'll be ready to enjoy throughout the summer season
A new lawn is a thing of beauty that adds finesse and finish to the exterior of your home. Put aside one weekend to turn your yard into a rolling field of green this spring. If laid properly, your lawn should resemble a lush green carpet that you and your family can enjoy year after year.
Weed
What you’ll need: Knee pads, gardening gloves and weed killer
How to: All weeds must be removed from the area, otherwise they will sprout up through your new grass. This is a matter of getting down on your hands and knees and pulling out any weeds by the roots. An easier way is to spray the area with a weed killer containing glyphosate (such as Roundup). However, you have to leave the area alone for two weeks before continuing to lay your lawn.
Average time: Manually – allow two hours; weed killer – 30 minutes
Lawn that’s kind to the environment
What you’ll need: Knee pads, gardening gloves and weed killer
How to: All weeds must be removed from the area, otherwise they will sprout up through your new grass. This is a matter of getting down on your hands and knees and pulling out any weeds by the roots. An easier way is to spray the area with a weed killer containing glyphosate (such as Roundup). However, you have to leave the area alone for two weeks before continuing to lay your lawn.
Average time: Manually – allow two hours; weed killer – 30 minutes
Lawn that’s kind to the environment
Sand
What you’ll need: Sand, a shovel and a rake
How to: Lay down sandy soil or washed river sand to make a solid bed with good drainage. The sand should be at least 50 millimetres thick. Sand can be ordered by the cubic metre; to figure out how much you need, simply multiply the size of your lawn by the depth of the sand. If your lawn area is 6 x 5 metres and you need sand to a depth of 100 millimetres, then 6 x 5 x 1 = 3 cubic metres of sand. Use a shovel and rake to spread out the sand evenly.
Average time: Allow 2 hours
What you’ll need: Sand, a shovel and a rake
How to: Lay down sandy soil or washed river sand to make a solid bed with good drainage. The sand should be at least 50 millimetres thick. Sand can be ordered by the cubic metre; to figure out how much you need, simply multiply the size of your lawn by the depth of the sand. If your lawn area is 6 x 5 metres and you need sand to a depth of 100 millimetres, then 6 x 5 x 1 = 3 cubic metres of sand. Use a shovel and rake to spread out the sand evenly.
Average time: Allow 2 hours
Level
What you’ll need: A soil leveller
How to: This is a very important step. Getting the sand nice and level will translate into a flat, even lawn. A soil leveller can be bought or hired from most large hardware stores. Use it to make the sand smooth, even and level.
Average time: 1 hour (don’t rush it!)
More tips for laying a beautiful green lawn
What you’ll need: A soil leveller
How to: This is a very important step. Getting the sand nice and level will translate into a flat, even lawn. A soil leveller can be bought or hired from most large hardware stores. Use it to make the sand smooth, even and level.
Average time: 1 hour (don’t rush it!)
More tips for laying a beautiful green lawn
Fertilise
What you’ll need: Fertiliser, a hose and a rake
How to: Evenly spread out organic fertiliser so the whole area is covered. Start in a far corner and use a rake to spread it evenly and smoothly. This will encourage root growth and help keep the lawn healthy. Give the entire area a light watering to wet down the soil.
Average time: 30-45 minutes
What you’ll need: Fertiliser, a hose and a rake
How to: Evenly spread out organic fertiliser so the whole area is covered. Start in a far corner and use a rake to spread it evenly and smoothly. This will encourage root growth and help keep the lawn healthy. Give the entire area a light watering to wet down the soil.
Average time: 30-45 minutes
Lay
What you’ll need: Rolls of turf and shears
How to: This is the fun part. Turf comes in rolls approximately 200 x 50 centimetres. The sooner it’s unrolled and positioned, the better. Start by laying the turf against paths or any hard edges. As you position each roll, butt it up hard against the adjoining roll. This will stop the joins from showing and encourage the rolls to grow together. Use a set of shears to trim the turf so it fits around any trees, pavers or steps.
Average time: 1-2 hours
Browse images of lush gardens
What you’ll need: Rolls of turf and shears
How to: This is the fun part. Turf comes in rolls approximately 200 x 50 centimetres. The sooner it’s unrolled and positioned, the better. Start by laying the turf against paths or any hard edges. As you position each roll, butt it up hard against the adjoining roll. This will stop the joins from showing and encourage the rolls to grow together. Use a set of shears to trim the turf so it fits around any trees, pavers or steps.
Average time: 1-2 hours
Browse images of lush gardens
Water
What you’ll need: A hose and a sprinkler
How to: The turf should be watered as soon as you finish laying it. Don’t be stingy – it’s almost impossible to over-water. A good soaking will help bed down the rolls and get the fertiliser working. The lawn will need to be watered every day for the next 7-14 days, so it’s probably worthwhile buying a sprinkler.
Average time: 30-45 minutes
What you’ll need: A hose and a sprinkler
How to: The turf should be watered as soon as you finish laying it. Don’t be stingy – it’s almost impossible to over-water. A good soaking will help bed down the rolls and get the fertiliser working. The lawn will need to be watered every day for the next 7-14 days, so it’s probably worthwhile buying a sprinkler.
Average time: 30-45 minutes
Roll
What you’ll need: A lawn roller (40-50 kilograms)
How to: Roll with a lawn roller to ensure all the grass roots are in contact with the soil. It will also help even out any minor bumps or rises.
Average time: 30 minutes
TELL US
Are you planning to lay lawn in your garden? Or have you done so in the past? If so, what are your tips? Tell us in the Comments section below.
MORE
Look for a lawn-laying professional in your area
What you’ll need: A lawn roller (40-50 kilograms)
How to: Roll with a lawn roller to ensure all the grass roots are in contact with the soil. It will also help even out any minor bumps or rises.
Average time: 30 minutes
TELL US
Are you planning to lay lawn in your garden? Or have you done so in the past? If so, what are your tips? Tell us in the Comments section below.
MORE
Look for a lawn-laying professional in your area
What you’ll need: A shovel, gardening gloves and a skip
How to: If you’re replacing an old lawn, it needs to be removed using a shovel. This is the hardest part of the job. Dig up the old grass and excavate down to a depth of about 100–150 millimetres. It’s a good idea to hire a skip to dispose of the removed grass and soil.
Average time: Depends on the size of the lawn but at least a couple of hours