Goodbye to Summer and Hello Autumn

It's now time to starting thinking about your lawn .... 

For the Month of March 2010

Purchase any Premium Turf Variety at Full Retail Price and 

receive one of the following specials:

ALL TURF'S CASH BACK OFFER or

FREE FERTILIZER FOR 12 MONTHS

Conditions do apply and subject to availability, above offer applies on A Grade Turf Products, 

please call 1800 AllTURF for more information.

RYLT2

Recycling Your Lawn is an innovative environmentally friendly service that uses your old lawn and soil, turning it into nutrients for your new lawn saving you time and money.  In most cases your old soil just needs rejuvenating and the organics in your old lawn together mixed with moisture magnets, gypsum, lime and our premium organic lawn soil will create a dynamic environment for your new lawn for years.  This system increases aeration, microbial activity, water retention and increased root development; saving you dollars by reduced water and fertiliser usage.

Water Restrictions

Gold Coast City Council has lifted all water restrictions while the Hinze Dam is at capacity. 

Why not take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and install your new lawn today.

For all local councils operating within the South East Queensland region, new "Permanent Water Conservation Measures" have come into effect on the 1st December 2009.  This will be reviewed again in March 2010.  This is a welcome relief to home owners as efficient watering on gardens and lawns utilizing town water can now be undertaken during set times from 4pm through to 10am any day except Monday.  

Newly Established Gardens and Lawns

  • on residential premises, you can water new gardens and lawns on the day of establishment without restriction; and
  • after the day of establishment, watering must then be undertaken in accordance with Restriction Established Gardens and Lawns (refer to below reference).

Established Gardens and Lawns

  • on residential premises, you can water established gardens and lawns any day between 4pm and 10am except Monday; and
  • to water lawns and gardens you can use a bucket; a watering can; an approved watering device; a hand held hose; an efficient irrigation system in accordance with the Commission's Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation Guideline or an efficient sprinkler in accordance with the Efficient Irrigation for Water Conservation Guideline.

Guidelines for Efficient Irrigation Systems include:

  • Efficient sprinklers and irrigation systems that use less than 9 litres a minute for each device
  • Efficient irrigation systems include drippers; micro-sprayers; pop-up sprinklers and drip lines with a manual timer or electronic timer fitted
  • Electronic Timers must be used with a rain sensor or a soil moisture sensor
  • Use a non-fixed sprinkler for a maximum of 30 minutes
  • Set up your irrigation in accordance with the guidelines.  Get your customized system certified as some irrigation systems might be efficient but the system does not meet some of these requirements.  A Certified Irrigation Professional (CIP) can issue a Certificate of compliance if it is efficient.  Contact Irrigation Australia for a list of CIP's in you area.  Send the Certificate of Compliance to your local council.
  • Visit http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/Water+restrictions for more information


Water Savings

Our Water Resrictions may have been lifted but we all still need to do our part and saving water.  We can do this by installing drought resistant varieties like Sir Walter premium lawn turf.  Once established you can enjoy a lush green lawn all year round with minimal watering.

The management of your lawn and soil preparation is a major contributor to good grass growth and drought resistance.  By following these tips you can create an ideal environment for your new lawn to remain in top condition in drought times.

  • Soil Depth: Good soil depth is paramount to good drought tolerance.  Soil depth should be greater than 200mm with 400mm and deeper optimal.  Varieties like Sir Walter have massive root systems capable of searching for moisture down to 1 meter.

  • Soil Type.  Choose a soil that holds enough water and allows excess water to drain away.  Soils holding too much water can cause the plant to have shallow root systems leading to poor drought tolerance. A soil high in silts and clays will compact and cause aeration problems for the plant roots.  Some fine sandy loams also have this problem.  A sandy type loam or under turf soil with a neutral pH of 6.5 is recommended.  It doesn?t matter what type of soil exists down deep as long as the grass can get its roots into it.

  • Soil Amendments.  Boosting the soil with organics and or water saver products like Terracottem or water crystals will greatly improve the lawns drought resistance.  Cultivate in organic materials that are composted or processed. Rates vary depending on soil and material.  A soil with 5-10% organic content is ideal.  Terracottem is a soil conditioner that improves the soils biology, water holding capacity and can reduce water and fertilizing inputs by approximately 50%.  Contact All Turf Solutions for information on these products.

  • Wetting Agents.  Some soils respond well to applying wetting agents as a maintenance program.  Fine sandy loams can become hydrophobic.  This causes the soil to repel water making them extremely hard to wet.  Wetting agents break down the barriers allowing re-wetting.  This will need to be re applied but the results are rewarding.  Contact All Turf Solutions for information on these products.

  • Mowing Heights.  The rule is the longer the leaf, the deeper the root system.  Check out the recommended mowing heights as outlined under turf selections on this site.  For improved drought performance use the higher end of the scale recommended.  Maintain sharp mower blades as this will reduce the incidence of disease attack and moisture loss.

  • Renovation.  Soils need aeration and de thatching on an annual basis to help with water infiltration. Most hire companies have lawn aerators and scarifiers that open up the grass and soil. This reduces compaction and allows water to better infiltrate.

  • Watering.  Deep infrequent watering will help train the plant to build a stronger deeper root system.  During the first two weeks regular shallow watering is required to maintain moisture in the turf until it develops new roots.  It is very important that once your lawn is initially established (2 weeks) that deep infrequent watering is maintained.  You can check how much water is getting into your soil by digging into the soil with a screw driver.  Eventually watering should be reduced to once a week or less.

  • Irrigation Systems.  These are a good idea as they actually reduce water usage.  Correctly programmed and installed irrigation systems water accurately and during the night when water loss due to evaporation and wind is reduced.  All turf Solutions has alliances with good irrigation companies should you require any assistance.

  • Fertilizing.  Controlled release and organic fertilisers allow and even pattern of growth without large growth flushes.  Avoid quick response fertilizers as these decrease drought tolerance.

For more usefull information on lawns, gardening and landscaping check out these usefull links;

http://mygarden.net.au    My Garden Home Improvement - Home and Gardening How To's.