From Paddock to Park: The Journey of Turf in Melbourne

While turf may be rampant in new suburbs and developing homes, it’s not enough that one considers how turf makes its way from a turf farm to the lawn. Turf is one of those products that nobody ever considers as a commodity until they are looking for a variety for their own house. It’s not just about beautifying the home, but it helps with soil erosion as well. With the range of available turf melbourne residents, from drought-resistant grasses to hardy strains, and to those that require minimal care, they all have to come from somewhere. Here is the journey of what it takes to get a piece of turf from the farm to the front door.

The Farm There are actually very few farms solely dedicated to the practice of growing turf. The most beneficial way to get turf is to lease out land from an existing farmer to use a plot of land that is vacant or dormant for a season. Turf grows relatively slowly, sprouting from a seedling to a functional turf farm in around 12-15 months, depending on the strain. Many turf companies like the option to lease out land rather than buy land for themselves. The price of land keeps the cost too high to make it a viable option. It’s not always immediately obvious what a turf farm is, because it may simply look like a flat piece of dirt after the turf has been harvested. The turf is normally grown around the area in which it will be sold. Anywhere up to 150kms is the normal range to reduce transport costs and wear and tear on the roots and plants.

Any further, and a soilless turf would have to be used. This isn’t uncommon as some turfs can travel overseas for discerning clients. Most turfs in Melbourne come from farms located around the city. The Store A turf store, or any garden supply store, will offer a wide variety of grasses. As mentioned, some of the grasses achieve different results, so the best choice is one that meets the needs of the house owner. Once a grass variety is selected, a specific date must be made for delivery. This is because once cut, a roll of turf might only be viable for anywhere between 2-6 weeks. After that, it becomes harder for the plant to blend with the soil effectively.

The Home Turf is delivered on the day is to be laid. It comes in rolls that are ready to be laid out in the desired location. After the turf is cultivated, all that’s left is the plant and the roots that have bound to the soil. It takes anywhere from 20-30 days for the root system to grab hold of the new soil. With enough water, there should a brand new lawn, ready to enjoy and maintain in less than 6 weeks. From the farm to the front door is quite a journey, but the result makes it worthwhile.