In much of Australia, laying turf can be very seasonal, with spring, summer and early autumn being the ideal time to lay a new lawn. But here in Queensland, our winters tend to be mild and dry. Morning frost is rare. And we still get a lot of sun. Which means that winter is an excellent time for laying turf.
Here are some of the benefits to laying turf in winter, and how to get exceptional results.
The Benefits to Laying Turf in Winter
Easier to lay
In winter, the ground is cooler naturally cooler and the weather more mild. The benefit of this is that your turf won’t dry out as quickly when you’re in the process of laying it. That means you won’t need to work quite as quickly to roll out your turf. Of course, it’s still important to lay it and water it in on the same day – but you won’t be working at quite as fast a pace as in the hotter months.
Lower water usage
Another benefit which comes from the more mild weather is that your lawn will have much lower water requirements. In fact, you’ll virtually halve your water usage and (importantly!) your time spent watering.
Of course, once the lawn is laid, you still need to water it daily, so it doesn’t dry out. But this will be a quicker, more sustainable process.
Less time mowing
When you lay turf in winter, your lawn will take longer to establish (up to four weeks compared with around two weeks during the warmer months). This means you will save time on mowing!
How to Lay Turf In Winter
The steps for laying turf in winter are essentially the same as laying turf any other time of year. You still need to:
- First, choose the right spot.
- Choose the right turf
- Prep your soil
- Measure and order
- Lay the turn
- And care for the newly laid lawn
However, there are some special considerations for laying turf in winter.
Choosing the Right Winter Turf
The most important is to choose the right winter turf.
TifTuf Turf
TifTuf is new, fine leaf hybrid Bermuda grass. It makes for a beautiful, low maintenance lawn and has superior drought and shade tolerance. It’s also highly weed, pest, disease and wear resistant.
TifTuf is the best overall performer for the southeast Queensland climate, and is perfect for:
- High traffic from kids and pets (once it’s taken root and is actively growing into the warmer months!).
- Every space from small patios to large open yards.
- Partly shaded areas to full sun exposure.
Sir Walter DNA Certified Turf
Sir Walter DNA Certified is a fantastic choice for a low maintenance buffalo lawn. It has a long history as Australia’s favourite lawn, as its shade and drought tolerance make it a popular choice for a wide variety of backyards.
Being DNA certified, Sir Walter is 100% genuine and free from weeds, pests and foreign grasses. It’s perfect for:
- Homes with children and pets.
- Shaded areas as well as sunny backyards.
- Coastal properties with exposure to sea spray.
Sir Grange Turf
Sir Grange is a new zoysia grass variety that offers the lowest possible lawn maintenance for Australian lawns. Zoyski grass is well known for its fine leaf structure, and compact appearance. It is also slow-growing, which means it requires less frequent mowing, fertilising and watering.
Sir Grange is the ultimate lawn to complement aesthetic landscapes or luxury outdoor retreats. It’s perfect for:
- Aesthetic landscaping with shade from plants, trees and built structures.
- Patios, courtyards, luxury landscapes and high-end projects.
- Coastal properties with exposure to sea spray.
Empire Zoysia
Empire Zoysia turf requires little maintenance and is a cost-effective option for those turfing their yard on a budget. It has a year-round emerald, green hue and a fine soft leaf. Great for children and pets.
Empire Zoysia is resistant to weeds, requires less mowing and watering and withstands wear and tear. It’s unaffected by high temperatures and changes in humidity. It’s a perfect choice for:
- Homes with children and pets.
- Outdoor areas with a lot of foot traffic.
- Outdoor areas and yards of all shapes, sizes, and locations.
Give Your Lawn Plenty of Time to Get Established
A lawn laid in winter won’t fully root down until the weather warms up again towards September. It’s effectively sitting idle until then. Once the weather’s warmer, the growing cycle starts and the turf’s root system will continue to grow deeper.
Be sure to give your winter-laid lawn plenty of time to establish – up to six weeks. Stay off it until then and keep the kids playing in another part of the garden.
Use an All Around Fertiliser
A premium, all-rounder fertiliser can help take your winter lawn from excellent, to exceptional. We recommend that you apply it during the first few weeks after your lawn has been laid. And then regularly use it during the following spring and summer.
Contact Us
If ever you’ve wondered about laying turf in winter, look no further! We’d love to talk through the best turf option for your outdoor space or backyard or answer any turf laying or lawn maintenance questions you have. Keep your eye on our product info and how to pages, as we’re always working to share our knowledge with you!