Can You Lay Turf in Winter? Here’s What You Need to Know

Laying turf in winter? Yes, you can! Discover how to successfully install dormant lawn varieties in Adelaide’s cooler months and ensure they thrive come spring.

Summary:

Yes, you can lay turf during winter in Adelaide — and in many cases, it’s a smart move. While lawns like Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo go dormant in the colder months, winter turf installation can still be successful with the right care. In this article, we explain how winter affects turf, what to expect during establishment, and how to ensure your new lawn thrives when spring returns.

What Happens to Lawns in Winter?

Anyone who has maintained a lawn in Adelaide knows that popular varieties like Couch, Kikuyu, and Buffalo slow down during the colder months. As the temperature drops, these warm-season grasses enter dormancy — a natural rest period typically lasting from late May to the end of August. During this time, growth slows significantly or stops completely, lawns need less mowing, they stop spreading or sending out runners and root development pauses.  

It’s easy to see why laying new turf during this “sleepy” period might seem counterintuitive. But is it a bad idea?

Can You Lay Turf While It’s Dormant?

Yes — absolutely.
Rolling out turf during winter won't damage or kill it. In fact, it’s often a better alternative than leaving bare, muddy soil through the wet season. Laying turf during winter helps:

• Improve appearance and reduce mud tracking
• Prevent water erosion
• Provide an immediate ground cover solution

However, because the turf won’t establish roots until spring, it’s important to take a few extra precautions.

Important Tips for Laying Turf in Winter

1. Minimise Use and Foot Traffic

Because the turf is dormant, it isn’t growing or repairing itself. This means it’s more vulnerable to damage from people or pets walking over it. Any wear that occurs during winter won’t be repaired until the turf starts actively growing again in spring. 

Where possible, keep foot traffic to a minimum. If the area is used regularly, think about redirecting movement with stepping stones or a temporary path. For more vulnerable spots, consider putting up temporary fencing or signage to remind people to avoid the area. It’s especially important to be cautious with heavy items like garden furniture, trampolines, trailers, or wheelbarrows — these can compress the soil or leave indentations that affect future growth and drainage.

The goal is to protect the surface until the turf wakes up and starts knitting into the soil. With a bit of care now, you’ll be rewarded with a much healthier and more even lawn come spring.

2. Monitor Moisture Levels

It’s tempting to assume winter rain will do all the work for you — and often it will. But don’t rely solely on rainfall to keep your newly laid turf healthy. Even though it’s dormant and not actively growing, the turf still needs moisture to stay alive. Unlike an established lawn with deep roots that can access moisture in the soil, freshly laid turf sits on the surface and is far more prone to drying out.

Windy days, sunny winter afternoons, and a lack of consistent rain can all contribute to the turf drying out faster than you might expect. Because the turf isn’t sending roots down into the soil until spring, it has no way to draw water from deeper layers — which makes surface moisture essential.

Check your lawn regularly, especially if there’s been no rain for a few days. If the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch or if the edges of the turf slabs begin to curl or lift slightly, that’s a clear sign it needs water. A light watering every now and then during dry periods will be enough to keep it hydrated. It’s best to water in the morning so the lawn has time to dry out during the day, which reduces the risk of fungal problems and frost damage.

Giving it just enough water to prevent drying will help maintain the health of the turf over winter and set the stage for strong root growth when spring arrives.

Pro tip: Water in the morning to reduce the risk of fungal issues and frost damage.

3. Understand Root Establishment Timing

Roots will not anchor into the soil until the weather warms. This means your turf will sit on top of the soil rather than root into it — and that’s perfectly normal.

• Avoid pulling or tugging on turf once laid
• Be patient — full establishment will occur in early to mid-Spring

A Word of Caution: Avoid Frost-Prone Areas

The exception to winter turf laying is in frost-prone regions, such as the Adelaide Hills. Prolonged or heavy frosts can:

• Freeze the turf slabs
• Damage root tissue
• Delay establishment further

If your property experiences regular winter frosts, it may be best to wait until spring before installing turf.

Final Thoughts

While winter isn’t the optimal time for turf installation, it’s far from a bad one. With a bit of planning and care, you can roll out turf confidently in Adelaide’s cooler months and enjoy a lush green lawn come spring.

FAQs

Q: Will turf survive if I lay it during winter?
A: Yes — as long as it’s watered as needed and not laid in heavy frost zones, it will remain healthy and establish when spring arrives.

Q: Should I fertilise turf laid in winter?
A: No. Because the lawn is dormant, fertiliser won’t be effective until spring. Wait until the weather warms up to feed your turf.

Q: Can I mow new turf in winter?
A: It’s unlikely you’ll need to mow it at all during winter. Once active growth resumes in spring, you can begin mowing as needed.

Q: Will laying turf now save me work in spring?
A: Yes! You’ll already have ground cover in place, saving you time and effort when the growing season begins.

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Need advice on winter turfing?
Talk to the team at Paul Munns Instant Lawn. We’ve been laying turf across Adelaide since 1988 and can help you make the right choice for your garden, year-round.