How to lay turf — a step-by-step guide

Laying turf is a satisfying DIY job that most homeowners can tackle in a day or weekend. Get it right from the start and your new lawn will establish quickly and look great for years to come. This guide covers everything from soil preparation through to aftercare.

DIY-friendly1 day to a weekendFor Kenda & Sapphire

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Before you start The 7 steps Watering schedule Aftercare Products

Before you start

Tools & materials you’ll need

✓Tape measure
✓Garden spade or rotary hoe
✓Lawn roller or flat board for tamping
✓Garden rake for levelling
✓Sharp knife or turf cutter for trimming
✓Starter fertiliser (available in our showroom)
✓Wetting agent (recommended for WA soils)
✓Garden hose or irrigation — ready to use
✓Wheelbarrow (for moving rolls)

Best time to lay turf

Spring & autumn — ideal

Mild temperatures and good soil moisture help turf establish fast.

Summer

Possible but requires more watering during establishment. Avoid laying on extremely hot days.

Winter

Possible in Southwest WA’s mild climate — growth will be slower but roots will still establish.

⚠️ Important: Lay your turf on the same day it is delivered or collected. Turf is a perishable product — the longer it sits unrolled, the harder it becomes to establish.

Step-by-step laying guide

Prepare your soil

Remove all existing lawn, weeds and debris. Cultivate the soil to a depth of at least 75mm using a spade or rotary hoe. Break up any large clumps and remove rocks and roots. The more time you invest in soil preparation, the better your turf will establish.

Both varieties benefit from well-cultivated soil with good drainage. If your soil is compacted clay, consider adding a soil conditioner or gypsum before laying.

Diagram — soil level vs path level

Level and grade the area

Rake the soil to a smooth, even surface. Grade the area so it falls slightly away from the house or any structures — this promotes drainage and prevents pooling. The finished turf level should sit approximately 20–25mm below any paths, edging or garden borders to allow for the turf thickness.

Apply starter fertiliser & wetting agent

Spread a quality starter fertiliser evenly across the prepared soil and rake it in lightly. Apply a wetting agent at this stage too — this is especially important in Southwest WA where hydrophobic sandy soils are common. Both products are available from our Bunbury Showroom.

Kenda Kikuyu: Grows well even on poor soils, but a good starter fertiliser will accelerate establishment significantly.

Sapphire Buffalo: Responds particularly well to a quality starter fertiliser — this step is strongly recommended for buffalo.

Diagram — brickwork laying pattern

Lay turf in a brickwork pattern

Start laying from a straight edge — a fence line, wall or path is ideal. Lay each roll end-to-end, then offset the next row by half a roll length, just like a brickwork pattern. This staggers the joins and gives a more natural look once established. Butt joins tightly together — gaps will dry out and die.

Never stretch the rolls to fill a gap — always cut to fit. Stretched turf will shrink back as it dries and leave visible gaps.

Ensure firm soil contact

After laying each section, press the turf firmly into the soil using a lawn roller or by walking a flat board across the surface. Good soil-to-root contact is critical — air pockets underneath the turf will cause the roots to dry out and the turf to die. Pay extra attention to joins and edges.

Kenda Kikuyu: Has four times as many rhizomes as standard kikuyu — this makes it a vigorous rooter once good soil contact is established.

Sapphire Buffalo: Has a deep root system — firm soil contact at establishment sets up this root depth for the long term.

Trim edges neatly

Use a sharp knife or turf cutter to trim around garden beds, paths, edging and obstacles. Cut from the top down — pressing firmly through the turf and into the soil. A clean, straight edge makes a big visual difference and prevents the turf from lifting or separating at the borders.

Water immediately and thoroughly

Water your new lawn deeply and immediately after laying — don’t wait. The turf should be moist all the way through to the soil beneath. For the first two to three weeks, water daily to keep the soil moist. Reduce frequency gradually as the roots establish and the turf begins to knit into the soil.

Kenda Kikuyu: Drought tolerant once established, but needs consistent watering in the first 2–3 weeks. Don’t let it dry out during this period.

Sapphire Buffalo: Has higher water needs during establishment than kikuyu — water 2–3 times daily for the first week, then reduce to once daily for weeks 2–3.

See the full watering schedule below ↓

Watering schedule

⚠️ Water restrictions & the establishment exemption: permanent sprinkler rosters apply across Perth and the South West. To water newly laid turf on the schedule below, you must hold a garden establishment exemption from the Water Corporation. Apply for the exemption and check current rosters at watercorporation.com.au before you start.

35-day establishment schedule · 1 April – 30 September

** Exemption required via Water Corporation **

Days	Water depth	Frequency	Timing
Days 1–14	4.0 mm	Twice daily	Before 9am and at 2pm
Days 15–28	7.5 mm	Once daily	Before 9am
Days 29–35	7.5 mm	Every second day	Before 9am

42-day establishment schedule · 1 October – 31 March

** Exemption required via Water Corporation **

Days	Water depth	Frequency	Timing
Days 1–10	5.0 mm	3× daily	Before 9am, 12 noon, 3pm
Days 11–20	5.0 mm	Twice daily	Before 9am and 3pm
Days 21–28	10.0 mm	Once daily	Before 9am
Days 29–42	20.0 mm	Every second day	Before 9am

These schedules are a guide for establishment under an exemption. Adjust for the weather — water more in hot, dry or windy conditions and less after rain. Always confirm current Water Corporation rosters and exemption conditions for your area before you begin.

Aftercare — the first 6 weeks

Watering

Follow the watering schedule above.

Traffic

Avoid foot traffic for the first 2–3 weeks while roots knit into the soil.

First mow

Mow when growth reaches 50–60mm — usually 3–4 weeks after laying. Set blade high for first cut.

Fertilising

Apply a lawn fertiliser 4–6 weeks after laying to support ongoing growth and colour.

We provide free aftercare advice to all our customers. If you have any questions after laying — about watering, mowing, fertilising or anything else — call us on 08 9754 8873 or send us a message and we’ll help you out.