Late season Topdress : sand levelling on the Tiftuf

Welcome to The Aussie lawn
My name is Brenton and I have a trade qualification in Greenkeeping.
You can follow me on instagram: @the_aussie_lawn
Facebook: / theaussielawn
You can score some great products from Plant Doctor and save yourself 10% at checkout by using my code.
www.plantdocto...
discount code brenton10 at checkout

[@smlfrd]

Wow, that's crazy. That looked so easy. I tried levelling my TifTuf a couple of weeks ago and spread the sand out over the driveway to let it dry out first over the day and it was still damp so it was a tough job to try and level the lawn. It's still very patchy so hopefully it actually recovers. All the youtube videos make it look so simple haha

[@theaussielawn]

unless the sand was saturated to being with you are better to spread it over the lawn to dry out. I know what you mean mate everything looks easier when someone else is doing it LOL

[@sneakyisme]

Wow! Great result, the colour of the lawn on the council verge is amazing 🤩. Your 80/20 or 70/30 looked perfect, looks better than the supposedly USGA sand i got to my lawn 🤷‍♂️

[@theaussielawn]

Oh true? thats not good if you paid for a USGA spec sand mate. Did the company supply you with a certificate matching the USGA specs?

[@MmeDesgranges]

It's coming on a treat mate

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks, Im super happy with its progress

[@dylan8285]

Funny you got the amazing tiftuf then the next crop of hay growing next to it divided by the concrete curb. lol

[@theaussielawn]

hahaha I know but you'll be happy to know its since been harvested since this video 😜

[@dchall8]

You have one surprise after another. Leveling a new lawn??? Impossible - it will die! But there you have it. Very impressive. I'm also surprised at how much sand you used. I'm very against topdressing except in the case of leveling a bumpy turf. I'm a little surprised that you are presupposing to add still more leveling in the future. Almost everyone I see is so happy with the first try that they forget about doing it again. You also got me with carburetor. I watch a lot of TV from GB, Oz, and NZ, along with KZbin from South Africa, but I guess I've never heard carburetor said out loud. Here (Texas) we say CAR burr 8 err. From you I heard CAB you rate ah. Listening more closely there is a r sound in CAB - maybe CArB. Anyway, it took me by surprise...many cultures separated by a common language. Good eye might.

[@theaussielawn]

Haha thanks mate, Back in the day I've spent many years on various golf courses working as a fully qualified greenkeeper, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about turf. I know exactly what you mean with the carbie pronunciation. So many different cultures some sharing the same language but different pronunciations 😎

[@dchall8]

@@theaussielawn One big difference between greens keeping and home lawn management is that in the wide open spaces you can topdress with 6 inches at a time and not affect drainage adversely. I have pictures of neighborhood lawns where they have top dressed with 1/4-inch of soil every year...for 40 years. The result is 10 extra inches of soil which melts out at the edges into the street and sidewalks. One picture shows grass growing all the way across a full meter of concrete because of the extra soil washed out from the yard. The worst situation is when they put the top dressing in the yard but not up against the house. That leaves a moat around the house when it rains. If there's a basement, then the water runs in.

[@richardportelli1983]

Good to see the site manager approves

[@theaussielawn]

bahahaha old Maxy Max thinks his the boss too 🤦‍♂️

[@trentcarter1350]

Looking amazing! Just wondering if you think it is too late for me to lay new tif tuf now coming into winter? In Adelaide for reference. Cheers 👍🏻

[@theaussielawn]

Hi Trent, I believe you can lay turf in most Australian locations all year around IF you can get it down this month then you will be fine. Although establishment will be a little slower than the main growing season obviously.

[@bar7966]

On Point!

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate

[@PlantVisionz]

What are your thoughts about using a landzie so it's less manual work in spreading he sand manually. It's really tiring when you have like 2 cubic metres

[@theaussielawn]

Ive actually never tried one,, Depening on what you use in it, It may well be a great alternative

[@PlantVisionz]

@@theaussielawn agree... I have plans to get one for the coming reno season

[@ithertzz]

Fantastic results on the main section. Looks like the colour really popped. When you do a heavy scalp/heavy top dress on Couch...how "heavy" can you go with the top dress? You put a decent layer on but it absorbed it like a champ. I'll be doing a heavy scalp (back to nearly dirt) and need to bring up the level to meet a pathway and I'd estimate that's going to be a good 2" thick in some parts of pure top dress. Would Couch come back through that or would it be best to drop some new seed on? My plan is to overseed anyway, but interested to know how sturdy the couch is.

[@theaussielawn]

Hi James couch grass is very hardy but 2" top dress might be a bit too much to chew Id consider more like 1" max at a time then when it has recovered from that top dress over it again if needed . Plus best to wait till spring now as it will cool off pretty quick from here on in

[@ithertzz]

Thanks mate. Definitely waiting until spring. Would an alternative be to spray the existing couch with glyphosate to kill it off, then do a heavy top dress top level the lawn and put the seed down at the recommended rate for new turf?

[@aleckparry8981]

Mate love your content. I just laid my first Tif Tuff lawn today. Where do you get your top dress sand from? I live in Lithgow up in the blue mountains. When I ask around for 80-20 sandy loam they look at me like I’m talking Chinese. I’ve got a truck so I can pick up material, but I can’t find anywhere to get what I need . Any ideas?

[@theaussielawn]

Try elite sand and soil in Penrith mate

[@vk2him]

Looking great - I read on the lawn solutions site that it's not recommended to put down a fertiliser when you lay tiftuf - I noticed you put down fertiliser when you laid yours - do you know why it's not recommended?

[@theaussielawn]

hmmm thats a good question Im gunna ask them why they say that myself.

[@terrystagg7404]

Could be because with new instant turf/roll out turf most of the deep root system is chopped during the sod cutting process; therefore not a lot of roots to help to uptake any fertiliser. Would wait a few weeks until new roots have developed under the new turf.

[@calebevans8437]

Weird usage of the word Mickey mouse here I have always used it as a negative not a positive.🤣

[@theaussielawn]

wow really? haha Ive never heard it as a negative 😂😂

[@geoffmoore3005]

Hey Brenton, found your videos after starting the turfing process on my lawn (FNQ). Question: you mention in this vid that you would have preferred the top dress used here, as the pre laying of turf - is that what I should be using before I lay my turf? Background with mine, I had so many sections of the lawn that had crows foot, button grass and weeds that had been blowing through my block, that I had no option but to get a mini excavator in and remove the entire top section, and send to land fill. I am now waiting 14 odd days to let the roundup knock the sections where some grasses look like they could still be alive; then I plan on laying turf. So what would you suggest I use before I lay the turf? Vids are very well put together, and make me feel a lot better about doing this job.

[@theaussielawn]

You probably could have controlled most of those weeds with selective hebrides after the new turf was laid (depending on grass your gunna use) but yeah I like a sandy profile and it would prob work well in FNQ with your high rainfall in the wet season. Once the round up has had a few days to hit the plant its good as dead no need to wait 14 days.

[@H-D1]

Hey mate I’m in newy, how soon after laying new tiftuff would you recommend first mow? Also would I have time to top dress new lawn before winter or would it be better to wait till spring ?

[@theaussielawn]

If the tif has rooted down and you are unable to gently lift a corner of your new lawn then you could start to lightly mow it. Are you in Newie or inland toward Maitland? It's really getting late in the season now to give heavy cuts then heavy top dresses. Might be best to just lightly mow it through winter as required and once spring hits go to town on it.

[@TheWorldofBlinky]

where abouts in australia do you live mate? cause your area looks MICKEY MOUSE!

[@theaussielawn]

I live in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley (Scone)

[@EditzByjimmy]

Hey mate great content, I have just ordered some turf and I have prepared the area. I have used a Sandy top soil for the preparation bed, will that be ok do you think, I notice you have you used sand

[@theaussielawn]

It should be ok mate at the end of the day it can be very tricky to source the right sand all of the time.

[@TreesnakeTV]

This channel is a real grower. The more you get into lawn care the more you appreciate the subtle tips and knowledgeable info around grass types and chemical apps etc. Great work and always nice on the eye to see such a beautiful property pushing on. The ratio of info / well timed talking and time lapse / visual backup is perfect 👍🏻 Great work mate 😎🌱

[@theaussielawn]

Wow thanks mate you'll make me blush 😜 I really appreciate the kind and supportive words I hope you have a great weekend

[@ominoussausage3769]

Hi Brenton, just curious as to where you sourced this top dress from? I'm also from the hunter region and would love to get something similar

[@theaussielawn]

Through a excavation company here in Scone but you need to order 7-10t a time

[@eddie8017]

Excellent video can I do this to Buffalo Matilda lawn?

[@theaussielawn]

Not at this time of year mate its too late now especially in the Southern States. Just hang out till spring time

[@SiKNaSTy31]

Should I level with sand after I plug?

[@theaussielawn]

What do you mean by plug mate ?

[@kyalftw]

Hey mate, how much top dress do you usually recommend per 100sqm?

[@theaussielawn]

Generally either 1 cube or 1tonne

[@jackyrussell1]

Where did you get your sand leveller rake from?

[@theaussielawn]

I think I got it through Ben Sims mate

[@mark21034]

too late to do that in melbourne. See you in september

[@theaussielawn]

yeah def mate, its cooling off a bit much down there now for this sorta stuff

[@TAFrench-lx4jv]

Hi again, just another quick question! I am having trouble getting good quality top dress in my part of South Australia, the last lot had lots of shells in it (not ideal!). A friend recommended washed brickies sand; do you think this would be okay? particularly if I needed to raise the height of my lawn 20mm, would I need something with more nutrients? Thanks

[@hudsonjamesc]

Whats the width of that rake?

[@theaussielawn]

I think it’s about 80cm without measuring it

[@yuanli911]

Hello Brenton, I'm wondering where can you source this top dressing sand?

[@theaussielawn]

Hi Li, I'm not sure that you can source this particular sand I've used as I sourced it direct from a quarry not through a landscape supply store. If you happen to be based in the Sydney area I would suggest Menangle Sand and Soil

[@TAFrench-lx4jv]

Hi Brenton, great video. Like you I have also done a late season top dress. Would it be fair to say that you won't be needing an aggressive scarify come spring because it will all be new growth? Thanks.

[@cameronshaw9270]

Hi, what is tiftuf like with dogs? Does it recover quickly from dog urine burn? Cheers

[@andrewreid5355]

Loving your content, Brenton. I thought about and thought about top dressing for a second time this growing season on my Santa Ana in Adelaide, and haven't - I probably could get away with it still (just), because it's still very much actively growing. Just goes to show, doesn't it! Keep up the awesome work!

[@theaussielawn]

Just be careful Andrew as it will cool off very quickly now if you can wait, I suggest waiting till spring

[@thomashegarty6625]

Couch has been a favourite of mine for a long time, this TIF TUFF is really something special, can't wait to see it after a Reno Love your work Brother 🍻

[@theaussielawn]

Mine too mate love it. Yeah next season will be awesome cant wait to see it grow

[@LawnTips]

Looking good man! Miss my Tiftuf

[@theaussielawn]

I heard you want buffalo grass on your new tee boxes 😜

[@LawnTips]

@@theaussielawn going all out with the buff. Why not

[@theaussielawn]

@@LawnTips lol

[@midiwrx]

Any chance you would know a good place to get decent soil from in Melbourne?

[@lvond555]

Looking great! Looks like the pup is enjoying it as well!

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks Luke its going all right for a young lawn hey. Little Max has got the life I tell ya haha

[@jacobfenwick337]

Hey mate new sub here, Loving the content and learning heaps. I am getting close to laying turf over here in W.A eying off a Autumn lay as it stands of about 300m2 and also seem pretty sold on the Tiftuf, What are your thoughts on tiftuf putting green? Do you think it would be able to handle being cut at low levels for extended periods of time?

[@theaussielawn]

Morning mate sorry I have only just found your message, Absolutely you can use tiftuf as a putting surface id say 4-5mm is definitely achievable

[@aaronup]

How well does Tiftuf handle/recover from dog urine? I'm curious if this grass will repair itself over time. Unlike my tall fescue lawn where I'm left with several brown/dead spots that have to be manually reseeded.

[@theaussielawn]

Hey Aaron it will definitely recover much faster than tall fescue as it spreads by surface runners (stolons) and underground runners (rhizomes)

[@jaygee9047]

evening sir. is the reason golf courses, avid home lawnies prefer a predominantly sandy base to lay turf as opposed to an organic based mix because; is mainly cause it compacts better, less unduluations over time, better drainage?

[@theaussielawn]

Hi Jason, Sand is a great medium for levelling, and drainage, aeration etc Organic style material is often difficult to work into the grass canopy.

[@calebevans8437]

One of them fancy things on THA channel looks the business for spreading topdress maybe you will be in the market soon since you got a decent amount to do each time, great video mate dogo is looking a fair bit bigger aswell👍👍

[@theaussielawn]

Ive yet to tune in and see it, Ive heard a little about it cant wait to see it Yeah little Max isn't that little anymore LOL

[@paulherring2181]

So thorough and informative Brenton. I am a self-confessed lawn nut, but also somewhat of a novice, so I find your knowledge and presentations rather inspirational. I am still getting my maintenance and fertilising sequencing in order, together with levelling. I have a Buffalo (Sir Walter) lawn, which while hardy, is also challenging at times, particularly with weeds like clover, paspalum, as well as patches of Kikuyu, which is just a curse. No doubt, it will take a few seasons in a new home. Meantime - will keep watching your wisdom 🙏

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks Paul I appreciate your support, Lawn care is a journey not a race I have no doubt you will get it just right mate

[@ALLAUS]

Loving the content maté especially how it’s presented. Scone BTW is a beautiful place Not far from there myself 🇦🇺

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate

[@andyk8322]

Hey brenz a few questions I have winter green and was thinking of replacing with tiff tuff Would the wintergreen come back and take over? Also when are you going to get a mow master Also your lucky you don’t have neighbours who poison your lawn like they do with mine

[@theaussielawn]

Wintergreen is a great aussie couch (it was actually discovered growing in a small patch at the Nyngan Bowling club way back in the late 70's early 80's I think it was. Tiftuf is a darker green than wintergreen which is sorta blueish in colour. Why do you want to change your wintergreen? It can be done obviously but just curious to know. Im gunna try the MEY mower Ben at Lawntips has atm but long term I might look at something bigger still. Wow thats a bugger about your neighbours Im lucky with mine thats for sure

[@andyk8322]

@@theaussielawn ok cheers I don’t have retic I find wintergreen isn’t that drought tolerant and have heard tiff tuff is

[@theaussielawn]

@@andyk8322 Yeah tiftuf does have the watermark for water efficiency it will be more drought proof

[@andyk8322]

@@theaussielawn cheers also I think that’s what’s been laid at Manlys home ground

[@BackyardBushveld]

Great vid bud! Definitely worth waiting for the soil to dry out completely before even attempting to spread

[@theaussielawn]

100% Trav! Hope you are going well mate 😎

[@benstrachan3418]

Looks great! You should be proud of the outcome.

[@theaussielawn]

I’m actually really happy with how it’s coming out especially with this cool summer we have had

[@alexsallery]

About the 9 minute mark where you rub it in is extremely satisfying! Is that sand a specific topdressing sand?

[@theaussielawn]

The real time bit? Thats why i left it real time. Its sorta is specific top dress sand but its more the fact I told the quarry what i needed and they where able to make it happen

[@jffro]

Great vid mate….so much easier when dry…I had to put down 100sqm of wet sand earlier this year & it as a nightmare….

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah dry is the key to a happy top dressing 🥳

[@ryang2940]

Does this sand have a name? I use a "brown turf sand" from Burnett's. Looks similar.

[@theaussielawn]

Not really mate its prob a 80/20 mix

[@paulthomas3782]

Fantastic result Brenton you make top dressing look so easy.

[@theaussielawn]

haha Ive had too much practice 😜🤦‍♂️😬

[@thegreenandgoldlife1464]

Looking good for Kikuyu mate 🤣🤣🤣

[@theaussielawn]

bahaha pfft 😂

[@thegreenandgoldlife1464]

@@theaussielawn 🤣🤣🤣

[@theaussielawn]

@@thegreenandgoldlife1464 lol

[@craigabell5445]

hi mate were did u buy the sand from

[@theaussielawn]

Hi Craig, I got my sand directly from the quarry Im not sure they sell to the public. If you are after high quality sand and happen to be based in Sydney I would suggest trying Menangle Sand and Soil

[@khusnildeo]

@@theaussielawn do U think a brickie sand will work?

[@theaussielawn]

@@khusnildeo no mate its not suitable unfortunately

[@fortune214]

Pretty phenomenal grass the old tiftuf. Wait for the winter colour it’s remarkable

[@theaussielawn]

Yeah Ill be very interested to see how it goes over winter

[@justinhiller2190]

Hi man just wondering why you didn’t use your mini skid to spread the sand instead of your shovel

[@theaussielawn]

It’s too heavy to drive on a young lawn plus shovel is a proven method when a top dresser isn’t available

[@RioTheHitman]

Beautiful you are killing it. A sidewalk pressure wash would make it look even better.

[@theaussielawn]

Hahaha I am definitely planning on it mate, Just deciding if i do it on or off camera. I did the side walk in front of the house after i had finished that side I'll do the rest once the gardens are done

[@KieranShort]

I'm very jealous. My front lawn is mostly weeds.

[@theaussielawn]

Maybe spring could be the time to start a new front lawn mate? Thanks for tuning in and have a great weekend

[@brentboterhoek7999]

Nice work Brenton. Looking great.

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers Brent 😎

[@justinbecker5741]

Awesome result mate!! I picked up that your leveller seems to be more square edged. The one I have is tubular, and seems to be very average in levelling well. What are you using?

[@theaussielawn]

Hey Justin I know the one your referring to, I have a proper greens one they are more $$$ but worth it. I think you can get them from Turf Mate online

[@dchall8]

@@theaussielawn Or you can make a drag from a piece of chain link fence, a board, and a bag of (something weighing about 20 kg) to weight it down. Attach a rope and drag it around the yard until you're happy with the distribution. You can see what I'm trying to describe in action on kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6qlqZtpacmBrc0 . Skip to 5:35 in the video to see the description and how it's used.

[@philgardiner445]

It is like magic when you rub in the sand - it just disappears! Very satisfying.

[@theaussielawn]

hahah so true mate

[@wiktorpoliszczuk1372]

sand levelling 😂🤣😅😆😁

[@enricotobio2515]

There's something special in your passion. Great

[@theaussielawn]

haha thanks mate appreciate the comment

[@michaelhughes4441]

Great video mate one question what's the best way to top dress sir grange zoysia lawn?

[@theaussielawn]

Hi Michael, My zoysia knowledge is somewhat limited, But as Zoysia is a slow grower you are best advised to only top dress any zoysia when its actively growing eg late spring early summer. You can treat it somewhat like couch grass its just slower. Is it a new lawn or has it been in for a while?

[@michaelhughes4441]

@@theaussielawn it's been down just over 1 year but needs a a good leveling out I'm going to wait to early summer but just didn't know if I should cut it right down and give it a heavy top dress or what I should do as yes it grows very slow

[@heidigill696]

It looks amazing Brenton! Top job!

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks Heidi 😎

[@richardportelli1983]

You need to pull some weeds bro!

[@theaussielawn]

Ive actually since sprayed them will work on the gardens over winter, Atm time is short so its either make videos or fast track gardens

[@LawnLads]

Nice and early!

[@theaussielawn]

Hahahaha you or the vid ? 😝

[@traceydean7164]

OMG😄Great result! Cheers!👍

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate 😎

[@australianlawnfanatics3535]

Oooof!!

[@theaussielawn]

Treat it mean and keep it keen 😜

[@Diego-mc2go]

Looking beautiful!

[@theaussielawn]

Thank you 😎

[@brianleach2533]

Great Video!!

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks mate

[@shayno7284]

Where did you get that quality sand from sir.. I'm in the hunter Valley.

[@theaussielawn]

You can’t actually get it anymore since the last floods went through. I’m currently at a loss as to what I’m gunna do myself. 🙄

[@shayno7284]

@The Aussie Lawn thanks for the reply mate. I'm hearing rumours that a landscaping business in singleton have some. Might have to check them out if I do a mid season Reno "touch up" Keep up the great content. I'm getting so many tips from your channel

[@theaussielawn]

@@shayno7284 cheers mate

[@tags7612]

@@theaussielawn Hey Brenton, any update on getting some of that nice top dress you used. I'm in Muswellbrook mate and wanting to top dress my Sapphire Buff. Cheers

[@theaussielawn]

@@tags7612 Not atm mate the place I got mine from has closed its gates, Im about to try a new place but you have to buy like 10t or more a time

[@waltvancourt5052]

Great job

[@theaussielawn]

Thank you mate. Hope you are enjoying the weekend 😎

[@Quarry4x4]

Inspirational

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate

[@mickdemi6]

Looking good

[@theaussielawn]

Cheers mate

[@keneil01]

Looking good :)

[@theaussielawn]

Thanks Stranger how have you been? are you excited for summer

[@jasongarbutt4242]

Looking great mate. Hope your well.

[@theaussielawn]

The old treat it mean keep it keen seems to be working hahaha btw it starts work down a mine next week 😜 yeah going great mate