BACKGROUND

No Aussie backyard is complete without lawn for the kids and so laying a lawn is the last stage in transforming the Tembeleski family’s backyard.

Costa’s philosophy on any landscaping job is to complete and lay the grass is last. And like most things in the garden having successful lawn is all about preparation.

TIPS

• Last week Costa rotary hoed the soil and added a layer of sand to help with the drainage.

• The next step involved creating an edge, from hardwood sleepers, between the lawn area and a garden bed surrounding it. The garden edge is designed to contain the grass and help disguise a level change across the landscape.

• Costa planted the bed with a rosemary hedge. He chose a variety called Rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’, which is perfect for hedging and trimming. To create a good hedge, he planted each bush about 400mm apart and suggested keeping it regularly trimmed to shape.

• Costa also installed an irrigation system which consisted of four pop up rotating head sprinklers. These were connected by a 25 mm high-density poly pipe.

• The Tembeleski’s sprinkler system is fed from rainwater tanks and runs off a timer. That way only a minimum amount of water will be used to keep the lawn in top shape.

• When installing pop up sprinklers remember to make sure that these are 50 mm below the grass that way the sprinklers can pop up safely, and return underground away from the vicious blades of the lawn mower.

• Before laying the lawn, Costa installed an underlay mix. He had it especially made to an 80 per cent sand to 2 per cent topsoil ratio, so it is free draining, and will encourage the roots to grow deeply into the soil to find water.

• Costa selected couch grass ‘Winter Green’, which should stay quite green over winter. It feels smooth and soft and with a little care should be ideal for playing all sorts of games.

• Be sure to water the ground well prior to laying the turf. This creates ideal humidity and ensures that when you begin watering the grass when it is in place, the irrigation water will psread out evenly across the moist area.

• Costa rolled the lawn after laying it and then watered it in well. The key to successful turf is to ensure that the turf remains most for the first week. This means keeping an eye on the soil/sand under the grass and making sure it does not dry out.

For Costa the transformation of the Tembeleski’s backyard has been an exciting process. What started as a discussion about the hopes and dreams of the family has finally become a reality.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Costa purchased turf from:
Cool Turf
Jacqueline PL Kurmond NSW 2757
Contact Rick: 02 45 885336

Costa purchased sand, soil and landscape supplies from:
Smithfield Building Supplies
901 The Horsley Drive Smithfield 2164
Ph : 9756 3334

Costa purchased irrigation supplies from:
Brooks Irrigation
Unit 6/14 Anderson Ave Banksmeadow NSW 2019
Contact : Kevin
Ph: 02 96666090
Web: brooksnsw.com.au