DIY: Laying Lawn On The Front Verge

Last weekend we installed reticulation and sprinklers and leveled the ground ready for lawn to be laid on the front verge. Then over the Long Weekend just gone we got busy and laid a lush new green lawn which has added instant kerb appeal to the front of the house.

There's been a bit of debate about whether lawn on verges is the way to go in Perth - due to the hot climate and water restrictions it's hard to grow a lush green lawn. Some Local Councils allow you to grow native shrubs and vegetable gardens instead of lawn. Artificial turf and paving or any hard surface is not allowed. However, we are going down the traditional route and laying a hardy sun loving lawn .... fingers crossed with lots of love and attention it grows well.

BEFORE 

AFTER

For our front courtyard grass areas we got Velveteen lawn from Australian Superior Lawns and so we used them again - this time we picked a Wintergreen Nullarbor Couch lawn as it's one of the tougher lawns that will tolerate full sun and high traffic.

Couch is a bit cheaper than Velveteen and costs $5.50 per roll x 45 rolls + delivery = $335.

The lawn was delivered on Saturday the same day we planted it - you want to plant lawn within 1-2 days of it being cut.

We applied 3 bags of soil solver clay to the ground which gives the soil structure and helps water absorption. We gave it a good rake and mix into the soil and sand. Next we applied a bag of stinky fertilizer to help the lawn grown.

Then we leveled it as flat and smooth as possible so there will be no dips and bumps in the new lawn.

Then Mr P with help from my brother got to work laying the rolls of lawn. Starting from the corner edge and working down in rows the lawn was laid with each new roll tucked in neatly to the next.

To cut the curved edge of the driveway and around the sprinklers a sharp long bladed knife was used.

The lawn needs to be laid staggered just like you do with laying bricks so you don't end up with a run of lines - staggering helps it look natural and the grass will grow over the lines and pretty soon you won't see the joins.

Once all the lawn was laid and any patches filled the lawn needs to be compacted to help it adhere to the soil and grow and it also helps to flatten and level the ground and to fill any gaps. 

A quick trip to Bunnings and Mr P hired a compactor for $45 (for up to 4 hours hire although we only needed it for 1 hour).

I was inside making everyone lunch at this point and avoiding the loud vibrating compacting noise so I don't have any photos of the compactor in action sorry!

When we were finished on came the new sprinklers to give the lawn a good water in.

You need to water new lawn twice a day and with Perth's water restrictions we're only allowed to water twice a week! So we applied online with the Water Corporation for a permit for new lawn and they approved it instantly for one month so we can water twice a day and there was no cost for this either.

It's a good idea to get a permit if you are trying to establish a new lawn or garden (especially as you don't want to be fined for watering when you're not meant to be!).

We had just 2 rolls of lawn leftover and some guy driving past pulled into the driveway and asked if he could take them ... I thought he may have offered a 6 pack of beer or bottle of wine but he just took them! Oh well love thy neighbor and all that!!

After years of having a sandy heap at the front of our house it is so nice to see a green patch of lawn. 

Beware if anyone tries to park their car on it over the next few weeks they'll be in trouble!


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