Large area grass establishment
For the past 17 years Turfco has been successfully establishing large grass areas (sites over 10,000m2) be they Parklands, Golf courses, Ovals or erosion control sites, in hundreds of locations throughout Sydney, South coast and Southern Highlands of NSW.
Whilst some of these sites have been grassed using traditional turfing methods, most have been done using more economical yet successful methods of grass establishment, some of these projects in the last few years include:
Wollongong, Shoalhaven Heads, Worrigee, Tomakin and Conjola Golf Courses, Sussex Complex, Callala Sporting Complex, Nowra Showground, HMAS Albatross, West Ulladulla Complex, Holy Spirit College, Wollongong University, as well as 26 regional sporting ovals.
All of Turfco’s planting methods rely on using plugs of vegetate turf planted into the site soil, and if required can be lightly oversewn with a short lived annual grass variety during winter for quick green up. Our aim is to provide customers within six months a similar result as if solid turf was installed, but at 25 % of the price of turfing.
We do not use any form of straight seeding as warm season turf cannot be successfully established by seed in this region, as all seed grass varieties are either cool season or non turf type warm season. Seeding is limited in this reason to short term aesthetic or erosion control measures.
Below is a brief description of our three separate planting methods, all produce similar end results however, each is designed to handle different site conditions.
Turfco Sprig Planting:
This method uses a purpose built turf planter that was originally designed to establish turf crops on turf farms, it shreds and plants pieces of turf 150mm x 50 mm into shallow continuous furrows 200mm apart. It is an ideal method to be used on level sites, with at least 150 mm of topsoil and adequate irrigation, it can be established into a usable surface in as little as nine weeks.
Turfco Plug Planting
This method is similar to sprig planting, it mechanically cuts pieces of turf into 100mm x 75 mm pieces and presses them into the surface. This method takes approximately four weeks longer to establish than sprig planting, but is ideal on sites that have rocks and other debris.
Shredded turf planting:
Shredded turf is used on sites that will receive little follow up maintenance, it plants and buries pieces of shredded turf beneath the surface, at the same time incorporates the necessary soil ameliorants. A light oversewing of seed on the surface can be incorporated to give a flush of green growth that will eventually die out when competition from planted turf increases.
Surface preparation:
All the above methods include a final surface preparation that is done using aTurfco's Blecovator ground cultivator than creates a fine tilth seedbed in a single pass.
Cost
Naturally costs vary depending on size and individual site requirements, but as a general guide using any of the above methods on an average site of say 10,000m2 (excluding earthworks) cost usually ranges from $0.75 to $1.00 per m2
General programming and specifications included in works:
Bulk earth works (done separately)
Irrigation if required (done separately)
Site soil analyses
Final site prep cultivation
Incorporate necessary gypsum lime and fertiliser or other amelliorants
Plant turf
Roll newly planted turf
Apply pre-emergent and fertiliser if necessary
Water well and monitor watering
Six weeks after installation re fertilise area.
Further Information:
To inquire about our large area establishment services please contact us to arrange for a free site inspection.
Sports & Recreational Services:
Turfco has always tried to position itself at the forefront of industry changes and technological advances in an effort to ensure that our customers have access to the best products and services available.
Some of our equipment includes:
Aerovator- Ideal oval and parks maintenance aerating.
Earth Quake- Aggressive aerator for extremely compact situations.
Spray Dome- Fully covered enviromist boom spray.
Blecovator- The best and most economical ground preparation/cultivator available.
Turfco Sprig Planting- Sprig planters, Row Planters, Broadcast Planters and seeders.
Project Management- Design, construction, completion and maintenace.
Turf installation, Maxi Rolls, Slabs ( work cover friendly less than 20 kg) Small Rolls.
Call now for further information or to arrange a free on-site inspection.
