Lawn installation in Perth depends on the ground under it, the irrigation that waters it, and a variety that suits the sun and shade it gets.
Warm-season varieties for Perth
The Water Corporation names warm-season varieties for WA lawns, including kikuyu, couch, soft leaf buffalo, velvetene, zoysia and Queensland blue. It says they grow best between 27 and 30 degrees, handle dry conditions and use less water than cool-season types.
A 2000 state government trial at Shenton Park tested 11 turf varieties over three years and found that buffalo and couch varieties such as Santa Anna suit Perth’s climate. That trial is more than 20 years old, the statement does not mention sandy soils or shade, and the Water Corporation sponsored it, so treat it as a starting point.
- Buffalo: named as suited to Perth’s climate in the 2000 trial.
- Couch: named in the same trial.
- Kikuyu: named by the Water Corporation as a warm-season option.
Which variety suits your sun, shade and sandy soil depends on the site, so choose it with someone who has seen your block. We look at it when we quote.
How we prepare the ground
The Water Corporation advises creating a smooth soil surface about 30 to 50 mm below the level of paths and driveways, and improving the soil with organic matter, clay and a soil wetting agent before turf goes down. Soil rejuvenation for Perth’s sandy soil is one of the services we offer.
Reticulation goes in before the turf
The Water Corporation is direct on this: if you are going to irrigate your lawn, install the irrigation first. It is simpler to trench and fit the heads before the turf is down. For lawns, it recommends rotary or gear-drive rotator sprinklers for even water distribution, and catch cups to check the 10 mm standard for Perth’s sandy soils in summer.
Our process in three steps
- Free quote and variety choice. We provide a free comprehensive quote, and we keep you involved in the choices, as our site describes.
- Prepare, irrigate and lay. Following the Water Corporation’s guidance, the ground is levelled, the soil improved and the irrigation installed, then the turf is laid along the longest straight edge with the joints staggered like brickwork and rolled so the soil meets the roots. We provide a comprehensive invoice as each stage is completed.
- Water in and aftercare. Water thoroughly after laying, and apply an organic fertiliser 14 days after installation. We provide after-installation service.
Timing and the Perth watering roster
Sprinklers must not be used from 1 June to 31 August each year in Perth and the South West, so turf laid in winter needs a watering plan that stays inside that ban. Outside that period, sprinklers run only on your rostered days, and only once before 9am or after 6pm.
Suburbs we serve
Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Lesmurdie, Gooseberry Hill, Mundaring, Midland, Guildford, Bassendean and across the Perth metro area.
Where we work: landscaping Maida Vale, Kalamunda, Forrestfield, Midland, Mundaring and Claremont and the western suburbs.
Read more: Lawn in Perth: the complete guide and kikuyu vs buffalo vs couch.
Get a free quote
Turf often sits inside a wider residential landscaping Perth project, and our garden maintenance Perth service covers mowing, fertilising and edging once it is down. Call us on 0429 922 446, or get a free quote online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lawn for Perth?
The sources we checked point to warm-season varieties, and the 2000 state trial named buffalo and couch as suited to Perth’s climate. Which one suits your sun, shade and sandy soil depends on your site, so call us and we will look at it when we quote.
When should I fertilise my lawn in Perth?
For new turf, the Water Corporation’s guidance is an organic fertiliser 14 days after installation. For an established lawn, fertilising is part of our garden maintenance service, so ask us about a schedule for your block.
How long until I can walk on new roll-on lawn?
We do not give a set number of days here, because it depends on the turf and the weather. Water thoroughly after laying, as the Water Corporation advises, and call us if you want advice for your lawn.
Should I install reticulation before I lay turf?
Yes. The Water Corporation advises installing the irrigation first if you plan to water the lawn, and it is simpler to fit the heads before the turf goes down. See our reticulation installation and repairs Perth page for the system itself.
Can I water a new lawn on my sprinkler days?
Sprinklers run only on your rostered days, once before 9am or after 6pm, and not at all from 1 June to 31 August. Check the Water Corporation’s watering days page for your roster, and ask us about a watering plan for a new lawn.