DIY HELP & TIPS

To do it yourself brings much more satisfaction than getting it done.  Here are some tips and tricks to help you DIY successfully.

Measure area:  Length (m) x width (m) = m2.  If the garden is difficult to measure, divide into measurable areas and add different areas together.  You are welcome to use our Measurements Calculator to help you calculate and buy the correct amount of lawn.

Replace existing lawn overgrown with weeds: If you replace the whole lawn, it is best to spray the entire area with weed killer to kill both weeds and lawn and to sterilize weed seeds in the soil.  Do not water afterwards and wait for at least 2-3 weeks before clearing the soil.  TIP:  Cut cardboard boxes open and use as shield between lawn and flower beds when spraying weed killer (e.g. Roundup to complete kill everything).

Replace Kikuyu with LM:  Kikuyu roots grow very deep.  Make sure to dig out roots that grow deep.  Also remember that Kikuyu seeds will be left in the soil and start growing when you water your new LM lawn.  As Kikuyu is a stronger grower than LM, it will grow again between the newly planted LM.  If you don't want Kikuyu to regrow, take it out the moment you see it coming out between the LM before it forms deep roots.

How to install a new lawn:  (1) Remove old lawn, weeds, stones, etc. and clear the area. (2) Water at least 2 days in advance to soften the soil.  (3)  If you want to add compost, spray it out over the area before working the soil.  (4) Using a garden fork, loosen the soil at least 15 cm deep.  If compost is added, work it through the soil.  (5) Level the area and rake evenly.  (6) Add fertilizer to the soil before placing the sods - 50g/m2 (about a medium sized handful per m2). No need to work the fertilizer in.  (7) Place the sods very firm against one another, almost to overlap slightly and prevent open spaces to form between sods.  (8) Water well to dissolve fertilizer, but prevent puddles from forming.  (9) Roll with a roller or heavy object to press the roots down into the soil.  (10)  Leave for at least 3 weeks to settle before cutting and water regularly to keep the soil moist.  (11) When starting to mow the lawn, mow in different directions at least for the first 2 months to level out uneven sods.

Loading quantities:  1 m2 instant lawn = 2 rolls = approx. 30 kg/m2. Remember that weight and quantity must be taken into account.

Double cab bakkie = 25 - 30 m2 = 50 - 60 rolls = 0.75 - 0.9 ton.

Single cab bakkie = 30-40 m2 = 60 - 80 rolls = 0.9 - 1 .2 ton.

3 ton truck = 80 - 100 m2 = 160 - 200 rolls = 2,4 -3 ton.

5 ton truck = 150 - 180m2= 300 - 360 rolls = 4,5 - 5,4 ton.

8 ton truck = 250 - 270 m2 = 500 - 540 rolls = 7,5 - 8,1 ton.

10 ton truck = 300 - 350 m2 = 600 - 700 rolls = 9 - 10,5 ton.

30 ton truck = 900 - 1 000 m2 = 1 800 - 2 000 rolls = 27 - 30 ton

34 ton truck = 1 000 - 1 150 m2 = 2 000 - 2300 rolls = 30 - 34,5 ton

Clay soil with poor drainage:  Depending on the density of the clay soil, spread compost in a layer over the soil and work in to a depth of 15 cm (for lawn) or 30-40 cm (for plants). You will see that the texture of the soil becomes easier to turn over. If the clay is very bad, mix compost with river sand (2:1) and work into clay soil.

Weeds in newly installed lawn: I cleared the soil completely from weeds before installing new lawn.  However, after two weeks weeds start coming out between the lawn.  Weed seeds stay behind in the soil and the moment soil is turned over, the soil is infused with oxygen and sunlight which stimulate weed seeds to grow.  Usually lawn weeds will be cut dead when the lawn is mowed.  However, for bulb-like weeds, a chemical should be sprayed (see FAQs below).

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I HAVE FULL SUN AND SHADE AREAS.  WHAT LAWN MUST I CHOOSE?

Although LM grows both in sun and shade, it does not perform well in high traffic areas and next to swimming pools.  Kikuyu is better suited for such areas.  The two mix well by growing into one another and creating a smooth transition from the one to the other, making the border line less prominent to the eye.  Plant LM in the shady areas and Kikuyu in full sun areas.  The first season will show a direct border line, but it will become less prominent from the next season.

 

WHAT AND WHEN TO FEED?

Lawn can be fertilized at least twice a year but not more than four times (3 months apart) or it will burn and turn yellow.  Also make sure not to over fertilize - only 50g/m² or about a medium sized handful per square meter.  A good lawn fertilizer is 7:1:3 around February/March to boost thick foliage to protect the roots from frost during winter and then boost root growth with 5:1:5 around mid August to help your lawn recover faster from frost and grow healthy green foliage.  If additional fertilizer is needed (although unlikely), a good balanced fertilizer (4:3:4) will supply sufficient feed.  Always remember to water well after fertilizer to dissolve the granuals and wash in to root level.  You will not see a growth spurt directly after fertilization.  Give at least two weeks for fertilizer to be absorbed and converted into energy for growth.

 

WEEDS IN LAWN - WHAT CHEMICALS ARE SAFE TO USE?

Please do NOT spray Roundup because it will kill EVERYTHING - from weeds to your lawn and even plants that caught some spray.  If you spray Roundup to clean out an area completely, put plastic bags over your shoes (put each foot inside a bag) and remove the bags before walking over your lawn.  Wherever you step, the Roundup underneath your shoes will kill whatever you step on!!!  We recommend the following products for weeds in lawn:  Efekto Turfweeder, Efekto Banweed, Kombat Lawn Weeder and MCPA Broad Leaf Weed Killer.  Follow the instructions on packaging.