Why you’ll be waiting for new lawn this spring and summer

Planning on laying turf this spring in time for summer? Think again. This is why you’ll be waiting.

Victorians wanting to lay a new lawn before Christmas are being told to expect delivery delays as wet weather smashes turf farms in the state’s north.

Some of Victoria’s northern districts received more than double their average rainfall in September and have continued to be battered by heavy rains this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Joe Rogers from the national group of accredited turf growers, Lawn Solutions Australia, said heavy rainfall makes it challenging for turf farmers to harvest their crop.

“It’s too much rain at the wrong time of year,” Mr Rogers said.

“If this was happening in January or February, you get two days of 30 degrees and it’s dried up.

“The rain makes it very difficult for them to get any of their heavy machinery and their tractors on the paddock.”

Joe Rogers from Lawn Solutions Australia.

And Mr Rogers said there was little turf growers could do to minimise delays.

“Turf’s not like other products. You can’t just put more people on in the factory and make more,” Mr Rogers said.

“You’ve actually got to grow this stuff so when things go wrong, it does take time for it to recover.”

Anco Instant Turf owner Ryan Cotter, who grows turf in Swan Hill, said the rainfall in August and September was having a “major impact” on continuity of supply and was triggering delays.

“For instance, last week, we actually had to cancel all harvests from the farm,” Mr Cotter said.

“I envisage there’s going to be limited supply of some lines of turf between now and Christmas.”

However, Mr Cotter said more supply will become available after “some good spring growth”.

“We don’t want to delay customers in any way, shape or form because it only does cost us at the end of the day.”

He added that the rainfall did more than stop his team from being able to harvest the turf.

“Without sunlight and warm weather, the turf struggles to produce a really strong root system (and) it needs a strong root system for it to hold together properly, so it can be transplanted and laid out for the consumer,” Mr Cotter said.

Wastage levels were up as a result, according to the turf grower.

“We are losing more stock every time we harvest.”

More turf will become available after “some good spring growth”.

Mr Rogers, speaking for all turf growers, said all customers could do was sit tight.

“These turf farmers, believe you me, they’re doing everything they possibly can to get as much turf out the door as possible,” he said.

“They will get it to you. It’s just all about being patient and understanding that these things will take time.”