Establishing Lawn from Seed

It is very hard to grow a good lawn from seed in the warmer parts of Australia. If you do decide to try seed, you will need to water it twice a day for the first 4 weeks. Couch and Kikuyu seed should only be used when the day-time temperature averages are above 25 degrees (usually from October until March). In Tasmania people are still using Rye Grass, Fescue and Kentucky Blue Grass, and growing these types of turf from seed in this region is quite feasible. Avoid sowing in summer; spring and autumn is the best time. Prepare the soil as we have discussed for instant turf and evenly sow the seed as per directions on the packet.

Establishing a Lawn from Runners or Viro-Cells

It is certainly easier to establish a lawn from instant turf, but some people can’t afford it. If that's the case, either buy a few turf rolls and break them up and plant runners, or buy Viro-Cell lawn from a garden centre and follow directions.

Runners or Viro-Cell lawn should be installed from spring to early autumn.

The types of lawn that can be established this way are Couch, Kikuyu, Buffalo or Empire Zoysia.

Advice provided by Todd Layt, Ozbreed Pty Ltd