The base under a lawn that lasts
Turf Loam is a screened sandy loam for the job underneath the grass: levelling the ground before new turf goes down, top-dressing an established lawn, or preparing a bed for seed. It is sandy enough to drain and level easily, with enough body to hold the moisture a new lawn needs while it roots. Get this layer right and the turf on top establishes deep and even, which is what makes a lawn cope with a Melbourne summer on less water.
The same soil we lay under our own lawns
When our team installs an instant lawn, Turf Loam is what goes down first, so it is chosen and screened for exactly that: an even, free-draining sandy loam with no lumps or sticks, that rakes flat and firms up under a roller. We don't add compost or anything else to it, because a lawn base wants structure and drainage rather than richness. Feed the grass from the top once it's in; give the roots a clean, level bed underneath.
- Screened sandy loam
- Drains freely and levels easily
- Used under our own lawn installs
- Delivered loose by the cubic metre
What it's for
At a glance
How much do I need?
| Depth | 1 m³ covers | For a 40 m² lawn | For an 80 m² lawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mm top-dress | 100 m² | 0.4 m³ — order 1 m³ | 0.8 m³ — order 1 m³ |
| 20 mm heavy top-dress | 50 m² | 0.8 m³ — order 1 m³ | 1.6 m³ — order 2 m³ |
| 50 mm under turf | 20 m² | 2 m³ — order 2 m³ | 4 m³ — order 4.5 m³ |
| 100 mm under turf | 10 m² | 4 m³ — order 4.5 m³ | 8 m³ — order 9 m³ |
Length × width × depth (in metres) = cubic metres. Loam firms up by 10–15% once it's rolled and watered, so round up, and if you're between sizes, go up a half-metre. Spare loam is handy for top-dressing the lawn next spring.
Common questions
Do I need Turf Loam under new turf?
If the existing ground is level, drains well and you can rake it to a fine, firm surface, you can lay straight onto it. Most Melbourne yards aren't like that: they are clay, or uneven, or full of the old lawn's roots. In that case 50–100 mm of Turf Loam gives the new turf a clean, level, free-draining bed to root into, and it is the single biggest thing that separates a lawn that takes from one that struggles.
Can the loam come on the same delivery as my turf?
No, and you don't want it to. Turf is cut fresh at the farm and sent straight to you, while Turf Loam comes from our yard on a soil truck, so they are two deliveries with two delivery fees. Order the loam first, spread and level it a day or two ahead, and have the turf arrive onto a bed that is ready, so it goes down the day it is cut.
How do I top-dress a lawn with it?
Mow low first, spread 10–20 mm across the lawn, then work it in with the back of a rake or a stiff broom until the grass tips show through. Water it in. Do it in spring or early summer when the grass is growing hard, so it covers the loam in a few weeks. Kikuyu, couch and buffalo all take it well; just don't bury the leaves completely.
What happens on delivery day?
The truck tips the load where you tell us — a driveway, nature strip or front lawn. Put a tarp down if you want a clean pickup afterwards, and let us know about tight access, overhead wires or a steep drive when you order. One truck carries up to 4 m³ of soil, so orders over 4 m³ are two or more trips and we'll confirm the cost with you first.
Delivery by suburb
| Area | Per load |
|---|---|
| Keilor, Keilor East, Niddrie, Airport West, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Avondale Heights | $60 |
| Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Sunshine, St Albans, Deer Park, Caroline Springs, Broadmeadows, Glenroy, Pascoe Vale, Brunswick, Coburg, Footscray | $85 |
| Melbourne CBD, Carlton, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Northcote, Altona, Newport, Williamstown, Epping, Lalor, Laverton | $100 |
| Most other Melbourne suburbs — north, east, south-east, west and the Werribee corridor | $105 |
| Ringwood, Bayswater, Warrandyte, Lower Plenty, Hurstbridge, Rowville, Dandenong, Gisborne | $160 |
One load carries up to 4 m³ of soil (8 m³ of mulch or compost), and soil, mulch and compost can share a truck where the volumes allow. Larger orders are two or more trips and we'll confirm the cost with you first. Your suburb's exact price shows at checkout before you pay.
Choosing the grass to go on top? See our instant lawn varieties → or call (03) 9331 5300.
Not sure how much to order? Ring us with the measurements.
Length, width and how deep you want it. We'll tell you the quantity, the delivery price for your suburb and the first day we can get it there. Most of Melbourne is next day.
