Tuff Top Lawns was established in Bloemfontein in 1988. Being one of the first instant lawn farms in central South Africa at the time, it has grown into the largest sod producer in the region. We are a second-generation family-run operation, and our core values are based on professional service with a personal touch. Added to that is a quality, reliable, and backed-up product that has earned Tuff Top Lawns the brand name for an instant lawn in the Free State.
Due to the harsh condition that our lawn is propagated in, the plants (grass) are well suited to any region in South Africa and Lesotho.
We provide our instant lawns wholesale to the public in all corners of South Africa directly from our farms in Bloemfontein.
Tips on preparing your area as well as planting and maintaining a healthy lawn:
SOIL PREPARATION
Water the area before preparation. This prevents dry, dusty working conditions and softens the soil for easy turning. A lawn in excellent damp soil establishes faster than in dry soil.
Loosen the soil to a depth of 10cm. Remove all rubble, stones, etc. If any organic fertilizers are to be added, dig them in at this stage.
Organic fertilizers such as compost and manure are excellent for lawns but must not replace artificial fertilizers. All soil should be fertilized with super phosphate or 2:3:2 at the rate of 5kg/100m2.
Rake the loosened soil to a fine, even grade. The level of the soil surface will be the level of the lawn. Be sure to correct any drainage problems at this stage.
The soil level should be approximately 2,5cm below pathways to accommodate the thickness of the lawn.
PLANTING
Begin by laying the lawn end to end in a straight line at the farthest point of the proposed area.
Butt the joints tightly and do not overlap the edges.
Make sure that there are no gaps in between the lawn.
Use a spade or edging tool to fit into the curves or around trees and bends.
Keep the lawn fresh. After planting approximately 50 sods, lightly water the planted area to prevent drying out of the lawn. Do not soak at this stage, as it may hamper rolling.
Once planting is complete, roll lightly with an ordinary garden roller to remove irregularities and form good contact between the lawn and soil.
TIP: For best results, lay the lawn within 6 -12 hours after delivery in summer and 12-24 hours in winter. Sods must not be drenched when stacked before applying. Soak the area thoroughly after rolling and roll again once the conditions allow. The better the sods contact the soil, the faster they establish their root system.
WATERING
Newly laid grass – Water every day for two weeks, enough to maintain moist soil for 1-2cms under the grass.
Established grass – Water as required. It needs water if the grass leafs do not stand up after stepping on it.
Initially, the soil should be moistened 15-20cm deep. After that, during the first ten days, the lawn should be watered lightly twice a day to keep the surface moist until the lawn has rooted. After the lawn is established, decrease the frequency of watering.
Remember that Kikuyu is a warm-season grass and requires 5-6 hours of good light per day.
MOWING
Mow frequently for a healthy, dense lawn.
RULE: Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at once. Set the mower up so as not to scalp the lawn.
Mow at least once a week in the growing season (Height – 1-2cm)
During the growing months (September till May), the first mowing will be required 7-10 days after planting.
During rapid growth, mow twice weekly and remove all clippings at least once weekly.
FERTILIZATION
To ensure a healthy lawn all year round, a regular fertilizer program should be followed:
September: Apply 2:3:2 at 5kg per 100m2
October: Apply L.A.N. at 4kg per 100m2
December: Apply L.A.N at 4kg per 100m2
March: Apply 2:3:2 at 5kg per 100m2
Spread as evenly as possible during wet periods or water the fertilized area soon after application.