If you’re collecting your turf from our Sunshine Coast farm instead of having it delivered, there are a few things to keep in mind. Wild Horse Turf has three properties scattered throughout the Glass House Mountains, but you’ll be picking up you order from the main farm located at 113 Link Road.

Frequently asked questions on collecting turf

Where exactly are you located?

The address you’re heading to is 113 Link Road, Glass House Mountains. If you’re coming from the Bruce Highway, the best way to come is from Johnson Road and then Spanner Road which leads to Link Road.

It’s pretty straight forward but often modern-day GPS systems send us on wild goose chases away from our actual destinations. You know you’re on the right track if you’re passing forestry areas and you’re on a gravel (non-sealed) road. There’s a sign on the gate and follow the driveway to our sales office – you can’t miss it!

What sort of vehicle do I need?

This depends on the amount of turf you want to collect; ideally it should be some sort of utility vehicle. You can also use car towing a good quality trailer; but if must have decent suspension because big loads of turf can be heavy.

What is the most turf I can expect to collect myself?

This depends on the capacity of your vehicle. For large orders keep in mind that an average pallet is 40-to-50 square metres and will weigh between 800 to 100kgs. If you’re still unsure on exactly how much turf you need, here is our turf calculator.

Can I use my small car to collect a small amount?

Yes, we can load turf into your boot. We suggest some sort of matting to protect your car’s interior, newspaper or a tarp will do. Keep in mind that each slab is 1.2m by 600mm wide and weighs between 5-8 kilograms.

How bulky and heavy is the turf?

Turf is often a lot heavier and bigger than people imagine. Each slab weighs between 5-8 kilograms depending on its moisture content, after rain it’ll be heavier. To give yourself an idea of the exact size, grab a measuring tape and check the dimensions of the vehicle you intend to use.

What is minimum or maximum amount of turf I can collect?

There is no upper or lower limit. Just consider the vehicle you intend to bring. We also offer a delivery service for those who want to outsource this job. Call us 5496 9790 to get a quote.

Will I have to tie it down with ropes or a tarp?

Yes, definitely. The law now states that all loads MUST be tied down and covered, or else you’ll get ticketed if pulled over. It’s not worth the risk, so please make sure you pack some ropes, a tie-down and a tarp or cargo netting to cover your load. 

Will someone be there to help me?

With open arms, well not really, but yes someone will help load your turf into your car or larger vehicle. For extra big loads we can use our forklift.

Do I need a 4WD?

Wild Horse Turf is a working farm and yes there are times when it’s been raining heavily that it can get a little muddy. However, a normal two-wheel-drive vehicle is all you need. In the unlikely event you won’t get to us, we’ll let you know in advance.

Can I use my trailer with high sides?

You sure can, but due to strict you load laws, you will still have to cover and tie your turf load with some material before leaving Wild Horse Turf premises.

Can I just turn up without calling you and collect some turf?

No sorry. Because we’re a cut-to-order turf supplier you must ring and order in advance. This way you get the freshest grass possible and it means we’ll have your order ready on time.

What are your collection hours?

You’re welcome to collect your turf from Monday to Friday from 8am-3pm – or by appointment only if special arrangements have been made prior.

When do I pay for my order?

Ideally this is done over the phone before you collect your turf, or we can take payment on delivery.

Is there anything else I should bring with me?

Aside from materials to cover and tie down your load, pack some water if it’s a hot day and maybe dress appropriately for loading grass into your vehicle.

Can I bring my dogs?

We don’t mind if your dog rides with you to our farm, but please leave him or her in the car while we’re loading turf. We like to play it safe and would hate your animal to get lost.

Is there anything else I should know?

Our friendly farm dog Max is usually hovering around somewhere, but we can tie him up if you’ve got children who might get spooked. Also, as a family-run turf farm you might come across tractors, the harvester, other vehicles and our own children, so please obey all the signs in regards to speed. 

Natural grass is best surface for those with pets because it gives them with a place to play, eat and do their business and provides them with a sanctuary outside of the home. But if you’ve just put in a brand new lawn, it’s possible you’re a little freaked out about your dog damaging it.

At Wild Horse Turf, we grow a variety of hardy turf varieties that are better suited for those with pets, and while it might seem at odds to have both a happy pooch and a fantastic lawn, it’s not impossible.

For starters, if you generally have a well-kept lawn that you regularly mow and often fertilise, then it will usually self-repair quickly. However, you can also undertake a few simple tasks to ensure both your grass and your pet are in great shape!

Lawn Care Tips for Dog Owners

1. Remind your pet who is boss

If you don’t want your pet to dig up your new lawn or to do its business where there is a lot of human foot traffic, then maybe consider training them not to. While not always the easiest option, it’s probably best way to protect your investment and ensure your lawn’s integrity.

You could search the internet for ways to train dogs in order to alter their behaviour. This way you should be able to use incentives to get your dog to do its business in a certain spot, ideally not on your highly visible front lawn. You could also use this technique to discourage the digging up of your turf.

Tip: Be mindful of potentially harmful chemicals in lawn fertilisers and treatments and opt for pet-friendly ones.

2. Make a special spot for your dog

Your lawn will keep your pet warm in winter and cooler in summer, but also consider designating a certain area that is theirs. Look for a spot that’s shaded, for summer, and set up a bowl of water, some toys and consider keeping it away from hazards such as sharp tools and equipment.

Yes it does sound simple in theory and it might take awhile for your pet to adjust to their new area, but eventually they’ll feel a sense of ownership. This might mean you only have one area of ‘mess’ to clean up and hopefully other parts of your lawn will remain in fabulous health.

3. Don’t delay cleaning up their business

If your dog does use your lawn as a bathroom then the trick to making sure it doesn’t overly damage it is to clean up the mess immediately. Hosing the affected patches of grass neutralises and dilutes nitrogen levels affecting the grass; reducing the chances of lawn burn or browning.

Male dogs urinate to stamp their territory in many places whereas female dogs tend to squat in one convenient location; bigger dogs will also make a bigger mark than smaller ones. So if you can confine this behaviour to a certain area or somewhere outside your yard, it will definitely be better for the long-term health of your lawn.

Hint: Keep in mind that dead spots don’t necessarily indicate a concentration of dog wee. It could be something else such as a lawn disease or grass grub, so call us on 5496 9790 if you’re not sure. 

4. Keep up with repairs and fix wear and tear

Your lawn will always need maintenance from wear and tear, whether it’s from backyard cricket or your dog digging it up! The good news is that you can easily repair holes by filling them in with a blend of sand and/or compost. Use equal parts and spread in the holes, making sure grass roots are able to make their way through the mix.

5. A little extra tender loving care

Pets needs more love from time-to-time, and so will the lawn that they live on and around. As such, avoid soil compaction by aerating your lawn with a garden fork. Push it about 8-11cm into the turf and rock it back and forth and then repeat every 25-30cm apart. Also keep your lawn free of leaves and fertilise in spring.

If you’ve got an area to turf that is home to one or some dogs, then get in touch with us and we’ll discuss the best grass variety for your individual situation. Shoot us an email here or call 5496 9790.

Australia is no stranger to droughts, and currently in most of rural NSW and the majority of Queensland, farmers are experiencing tough times with rain in scarce supply. At Wild Horse Turf we’ve implemented a watering strategy to ensure the turf varieties we grow for you continue to thrive regardless of what the weather is doing.

But if your grass is currently looking a little worse for the wear, we thought we’d share our top tips on how you can help your lawn survive extended periods of no rain. Of course there’s no magic bullet, and aside from planting drought-hardy varieties from the outset, there are a few things you can do to cushion the blow until Mother Nature works her magic. 

How to care for your lawn in a drought

1. Adjust mowing height 

If your property is experiencing drought-like conditions, chances are the growth of your lawn has slowed considerably. At this time it’s tempting to stop mowing altogether, but we don’t suggest this as a way to improve the quality of your turf.

We advise you to raise the mowing height by 25% or more, and keep in mind that even in idyllic conditions you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blades. Also sharpen your blades because blunt ones tend to rip the grass, leaving jagged edges that dry out quickly and turn brown.

2. Take time to de-thatch

Some varieties thatch up more than others, so to help your lawn absorb what little moisture is still around, spend a little bit of time de-thatching. Keep in mind that thatch isn’t anything to be too concerned about; it’s an accumulation of dead organic lawn matter such as shredded leaves and grass clippings. 

Tip: To help deliver moisture directly to your lawn’s root system, we suggest you use an aerator to punch holes in the lawn. To keep costs down why not make one yourself, just Google homemade aerator.

3. Tread carefully for a little while

If possible, and it’s not always the case if you have young children or pets, try to reduce the amount of foot traffic your lawn gets. Same goes with keeping equipment or furniture on your lawn. The weight of it will compact the soil make it harder for your turf to absorb that elusive moisture.

Your decision to keep everyone off the lawn might not be a popular one, but by doing so you will reduce the amount of time it takes your lawn to spring back from a dry spell.

4. Water areas of importance

Not everyone has the inclination or ability to water their lawns during a drought. It can be expensive for those who have to pay for water and a waste for those having to survive on collections in rainwater tanks.

But if you have the means to water, then make sure this takes place early in the morning or late at night so your lawn has time to absorb it. Consider just watering parts of your lawn that are important to you, say the sections that are road fronting or areas you particularly like to keep green.

5. Acceptance

When you’ve always had a green lawn it might be tough to put up with a dry, dead-looking one, but keep in mind your grass isn’t dead, it’s just dormant. As long as the root structure is deep enough it will come back once rain returns. 

If you can, we suggest you try to accept that the unwatered portion of your lawn won’t look luscious in a drought, but that it won’t stay that way forever. It has to rain eventually and then your lawn will be returned to its former glory.

Importantly…

If you’re about to lay turf or have just had a new lawn put in you MUST find a way to keep water up to it in a drought otherwise the roots won’t get established. Watering a new lawn is crucial regardless of what weather conditions you’re currently experiencing. You can get more detailed information on watering you new lawn here.

Get in touch with Wild Horse Turf today to chat about the best grass variety for your climate. We also offer a competitively-priced installation service! Call us on 5496 9790.