Preparing for a new lawn
Most of the work in a good lawn is below the surface. The old grass and weeds are removed and the ground is levelled with a gentle fall away from the house. Then a layer of quality topsoil or turf underlay goes down. On heavy clay, deeper soil and good drainage stop the new lawn sitting in water in winter and drying out in summer.
When to lay turf in Geelong
Spring and autumn are the easiest times: the soil is warm enough for roots to grow and the weather is mild. Spring is also the wettest season, with October and November averaging the most rain at the Bureau of Meteorology's Avalon Airport station (BoM climate statistics). Turf laid in summer needs much more water, and Avalon averages 28.9 days a year at or above 30 °C (BoM, all statistics).
What turf costs in Geelong
A published cost guide's Geelong estimates (October 2026, GST inclusive) put instant turf, supplied and laid, at $14 to $37 per square metre, and artificial turf at $46 to $110 per square metre.
| Job | Geelong estimate (October 2026) |
|---|---|
Instant turf, supplied and laid | $14 to $37 per m² |
Artificial turf, supplied and installed | $46 to $110 per m² |
Topsoil, supplied and delivered | $65 to $140 per m³ |
Watering a new lawn
Barwon Water's permanent water saving rules allow sprinklers and other watering systems only between 6pm and 10am. Hand-held hoses with a trigger nozzle, watering cans and buckets can be used at any time, which helps while new turf is establishing. Drought-tolerant warm-season grasses such as couch and kikuyu need less water once established; the City of Greater Geelong names both as suitable for nature strips.
Note that synthetic turf is not allowed on residential nature strips in Greater Geelong (nature strip guidelines).
Turf and lawn FAQs
How long does laying turf take?
A small lawn is usually laid in a day once the ground is prepared, and a larger one in one to two days. Preparation on a rough or clay site can take longer than the laying.
Seed or instant turf?
Seed is cheaper but takes weeks to establish and needs steady watering. Instant turf costs more but gives a usable lawn in a few weeks.