Instant turf and synthetic grass
Instant turf or synthetic grass for a Mickleham yard: ground preparation, estate and council limits, watering rules and published Melbourne prices.
For most Mickleham back yards the choice is between instant turf (rolls of real grass laid on prepared soil) and synthetic grass laid over a compacted crushed rock base. Published Melbourne figures put natural turf, supplied and laid, at $14 to $36 per sqm and synthetic turf, supplied and installed, at $45 to $110 per sqm. Any lawn you arrange through this site is quoted and laid by an independent local installer, who confirms the price after seeing the ground.
Real turf or synthetic: which suits your yard?
| Factor | Instant turf | Synthetic grass |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower per square metre | Higher per square metre |
| Base | Prepared soil, levelled and rolled | Excavated, then compacted crushed rock and sand or similar |
| Water | Needs regular watering, heaviest in the first weeks and through summer | Occasional hose down only |
| Heat | Stays cooler underfoot | Gets hot in full sun |
| Shade | Most warm season grasses struggle in heavy shade | Handles shaded side yards |
| Dogs | Wears and patches where dogs run | Needs rinsing; urine smell can build up without good drainage |
| Front yard in some estates | Usually allowed | Banned in some estates (see below) |
| Nature strip in Hume | Warm season grasses allowed with council consent | Not permitted |
A second national guide from Yellow Pages lists standard residential synthetic turf at $50 to $75 per sqm supplied and installed, with premium products and complicated shapes costing more. Two sources give a sense of where a fair quote sits.
Where synthetic grass is not allowed
Two local rules catch people out.
- Estate front yards. The developer’s design guidelines for Merrifield state that synthetic turf is not permitted in front gardens. Other estates set their own rules; read yours before ordering.
- Nature strips. Hume City Council’s nature strip page lists synthetic turf, irrigation systems, rocks, sleepers and retaining walls as not permitted. Council will consider warm season grasses such as couch, buffalo or kikuyu, mulch or gravel, or low plants under 400 mm, and you apply through its consent to work within a road reserve. Council says the requirement comes from the Road Management Act 2004.
Back yards are generally your own choice, subject to any estate covenant.
Signs the ground needs more preparation
- Builder’s fill with rubble, concrete washout or brick pieces in it.
- Puddles that stay for a day after rain, which points to compacted clay or poor falls.
- A yard that slopes towards the house instead of the stormwater pits.
- Couch or kikuyu runners in an old lawn that will push up through new turf unless removed.
- Low spots along fences where neighbours’ yards drain onto yours.
In the newer Mickleham estates the most common issue is heavy clay compacted by machinery during the house build. Turf laid straight onto it struggles to root, and synthetic grass laid on it can hold water underneath.
What the installer will check before quoting
- Area in square metres, measured from the site or your plan.
- Access for barrows or a small loader, and where the turf pallet or rock can be dropped.
- Existing levels against the slab, paths and fences.
- For real turf: soil quality, whether imported underlay soil is needed, and the variety that suits the sun and use.
- For synthetic: pile height and product, the base depth they intend to use, edging type and how they will handle drainage.
Garden soil for landscaping is covered by AS 4419, the Australian Standard for soils for landscaping and garden use. Ask the installer what soil they intend to bring in and where it comes from.
What the work involves
Instant turf: remove weeds and debris, rip or cultivate the compacted surface, bring in underlay soil where needed, level and roll, lay the turf in a staggered pattern with tight joins, roll again and water in straight away.
Synthetic grass: excavate to the planned depth, install edging, lay and compact the crushed rock base in layers, add a finer bedding layer, lay the turf with joins glued on joining tape, fix the edges, then brush in infill if the product calls for it.
Watering new turf in Mickleham
Victoria’s Permanent Water Saving Rules apply every day of the year. Yarra Valley Water’s summary says gardens watered with a watering system can only be watered between 6 pm and 10 am, while a hand-held hose with a trigger nozzle, a watering can or a bucket can be used at any time. Plan the turf delivery for a cool day and have the hose ready.
What a careful installer will refuse to do
- Lay turf or synthetic grass over builder’s rubble without removing it.
- Run synthetic grass hard against the house slab so water pools at the wall.
- Lay a lawn on the nature strip without council consent.
- Promise a lawn that will grow in deep year-round shade.
Related pages
Lawns are usually one part of a bigger job. See new home landscaping for the order of works, paving and paths for the edges around the lawn, and the cost guide for how a full yard is priced. Owners in established streets will find local notes on Craigieburn and Greenvale.
What to do next
Measure the lawn area, note how much sun it gets, and decide whether real or synthetic grass suits your household. Then request a turf or synthetic grass quote with the square metres and a photo of the ground.
Frequently asked questions
- Which turf variety suits a Mickleham back yard?
Warm season grasses such as buffalo, couch and kikuyu are the common choices in Melbourne's north. Buffalo varieties handle some shade, couch suits full sun and hard wear, and kikuyu is fast but spreads into garden beds. Ask the installer which variety they recommend for your aspect.
- Can I lay synthetic grass on my nature strip in Hume?
No. Hume City Council lists synthetic turf as not permitted on nature strips. The council will consider grass, mulch or gravel, or low plants under 400 mm, and you need its consent before starting.
- How soon can I walk on new instant turf?
Keep foot traffic light until the roots have taken hold, which you can test by gently lifting a corner. Installers usually give written care instructions covering watering and the first mow.
- Does synthetic grass need a drainage base?
Yes. A properly installed synthetic lawn sits on a compacted crushed rock base so rain can drain through. Laid straight onto clay it can hold water, smell and lift at the joins.
- Can I water new turf in the middle of the day?
Under Victoria's Permanent Water Saving Rules you can hand water at any time with a trigger nozzle hose, watering can or bucket. Automatic watering systems are limited to between 6 pm and 10 am.