Lawn DIY Installation Guide

Growing grass is easy with Woolgro

Step by step guide to DIY lawn installation

Woolgro mats are easy to lay and care for

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Your step by step guide to growing grass with Woolgro

For the best results, you should opt for full installation by a Woolgro professional but we understand that isn’t always an option, so Woolgro lawn mat is designed to be simple to install by yourself as well. However, even with the best lawn seed, a good lawn requires plenty of care especially in the initial stages so if you are planning a DIY installation you should be prepared to undertake some thorough aftercare in the crucial first few weeks.

Please note that our guarantee does not apply to DIY installation. If you would like to find out more about our lawn installation service give us a call, or read more about the benefits of Woolgro grass seed mat before you start.

Read the DIY installation steps below and view the video…

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Step 1 - Soil preparation for optimum grass growing

The site preparation process is as follows:
  1. Spray out existing weeds and grass with a broad spectrum weed killer. Adding a penetrant (Pulse) to Glyphosate (Roundup) will help its performance on hard to kill grasses. It’s good practice to spray the lawn twice over a 4 week period to kill off the second germination of weeds.
  2. When all existing weeds die off, lightly cultivate the soil using a rake or rotary hoe. Alternatively use a spade or turf cutter to remove the top 25mm.
  3. Remove any waste product (dead grass and weeds).
  4. With clay soils add Gypsum at a rate of 1kg per m2 and mix into the soil well.
  5. Rake until level then lightly roll. For an ideal base we recommend adding a 20mm layer of washed sand, mixed with a weed free composted topsoil at a ratio of 1:1.
  6. Screed soil to desired finished level ensuring a smooth contour and a fine soil particle size on the surface. When laid, the Woolgro™ mat must evenly make contact with the soil. Ensure no hollows in which water might lie.
  7. Ensure soil is evenly compacted so that your heel does not sink into the soil more than 10mm.

Step 2 - Laying Woolgro lawn mat

Once your base is prepared you can lay the Woolgro lawn mat ready for growing.

  1. Roll out Woolgro mat wool side up, paper side down.
  2. Cut to shape with scissors.
  3. Overlap edges by 20mm.
  4. Cover entire mat with a 5-10mm layer of weed-free composted lawn mix.
  5. Day 3-10 – if any lawn mix is washed off the mat recover any exposed areas of wool with composed lawn mix.

TIP: If you are laying your new lawn in summer use a thicker topping layer of lawn mix (10-15mm) to help keep the mat damp. 

Lawn maintenance and aftercare

Once your grass seed mat is laid, you need to carry out careful lawn maintenance to ensure you get the best results. Follow these tips for a healthy lawn.

Irrigation

Day 1: 

  • As soon as installation is completed the Woolgro lawn mat must be thoroughly soaked to allow the germination process to begin. 
  • We recommend 30-40 minutes with an oscillating sprinkler ensuring the entire mat is evenly saturated. 

Days 2-10:  

  • A light water, at least twice a day, to keep the  mat moist but not saturated is required. 
  • This is best done morning and night for about 15 minutes minimum with an oscillating sprinkler. 
  • Vary depending on weather conditions but don’t allow the Topping soil to dry out. 
  • During hot sunny weather, water more frequently to ensure the  mat and topping soil  remain damp (but not saturated). 
  • Don’t allow the  mat to dry out. It must remain damp. 

Day 10-40: 

  • Irrigate as conditions require to keep the lawn looking lush and green. 

After 6 weeks plus: 

  • Irrigate, when required, heavily for 20-30 minutes once every second or third day to ensure moisture soaks deep into the soil to promote deep root growth. 
  • This will promote a drought tolerant lawn. 

Mowing

  • Don’t cut the lawn until it is about 70-80mm in length. Ensure mower blades are sharp. 
  • Set your mower to its highest setting and only take 20-30mm off the first few times you mow. This will help your lawn thicken up. 
  • Initially remove clippings so they don’t damage new seedlings coming through. 
  • Once the lawn is established a mulching mower can be used. 
  • Gradually lower your mower setting with each subsequent mow but never cut lower than 20-30mm for Rye grass blends and 30-40mm for Tall Fescue lawns. 
  • From the first cut, mowing should be regular (minimum of weekly) whilst your lawn establishes.

Fertiliser

  • Your Woolgro lawn will typically have sufficient nutrients for the first six months, though this may depend on growing conditions and how often you cut your lawn. 
  • Every time you cut your lawn and remove the clippings you remove nutrients that ultimately have to be replaced. 
  • Woolgro recommends you plan a nutrient replacement program – organic or otherwise that includes nitrogen, a little bit of phosphate, sulphur and potassium and a small amount of magnesium and iron sulphate. 
  • You can use a balanced lawn fertiliser from a garden centre or have a Woolgro consultant design a fertiliser program for you.

Weed control

  • Woolgro recommends you keep an eye on weeds that will invariably find their way in from birds or the wind. 
  • Either  use a spray from a garden centre or get in touch and we’ll have a Woolgro consultant investigate options for you.

Make the most of the best lawn seed on the market

Using a Woolgro lawn mat offers a natural alternative to ready lawn that will produce outstanding results given the right care. With the perfect combination of the best grass seed and a natural setting designed to provide nutrients for growing, Woolgro lawn mats will transform your garden. 

Contact us to find out more about our lawn installation service in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty or order Woolgro lawn mats to install yourself.

Find out more about why Woolgro lawns are a better option than instant lawn

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