The 5-step Turf & Surf program

Most lawn problems start underground. Poor water penetration, compacted or depleted soil, and low microbial activity all stop nutrients from reaching the root zone. No amount of fertiliser will fix that on its own.

The Turf & Surf program is built around 2 layers: fix the soil first, then feed the leaf. Follow this guide and you will see results that hold through season changes, not just a short-lived green-up.

The two-layer approach

Layer 1. Soil layer: Soak, Base, and Vital
Fixes water penetration, builds microbial activity, and drives root development. Mix all 3 together in the same sprayer and apply first. Water in immediately after application.

Layer 2. Leaf layer: Surge and Vivid
Drives colour, density, and visible growth. Apply as a foliar spray after the soil layer. Allow to sit on the leaf for 2 hours before watering in.

The liquid products

Soak: wetting agent

Fixes hydrophobic soil so water and nutrients reach the root zone rather than running off. Apply at 200ml per 100m2. Mix with Base and Vital. Water in immediately.

Base: kelp soil conditioner

Improves soil structure, activates microbial activity, and increases the soil's ability to retain nutrients and moisture. Apply at 120ml per 100m2. Mix with Soak and Vital. Water in immediately.

Vital: root stimulator

Natural auxins and Vitamin B1 that trigger root initiation and development. The same technology used on professional sports turf and golf courses. Apply at 100ml per 100m2. Mix with Soak and Base. Water in immediately.

Surge: liquid fertiliser

Nitrogen-led liquid fertiliser that drives growth, density, and recovery. Apply at 200ml per 100m2 (100ml in May, June, July). Foliar spray. Allow 2 hours before watering in.

Vivid: foliar colour

Foliar iron and nitrogen that drive deep green colour at the leaf surface. Colour response visible within 3 to 5 days. Apply at 200ml per 100m2 (100ml in May, June, July). Foliar spray. Can be mixed with Surge. Allow 2 hours before watering in.

The granular base layer

Density: slow-release granular fertiliser

The liquid program works fast at the leaf and root. Density works slowly and continuously in the soil, holding a sustained nutritional base between liquid applications. Carbon-coated controlled release, 25% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, 11% potassium, plus iron and manganese.

Apply at 2.5kg per 100m2 using a broadcast spreader. Water in thoroughly to activate the release. One 4kg bucket covers 160m2 per application.

Applied in February, April, August, October, and December.

Weed, pest and disease control

These products sit alongside the program and are applied at specific times of year, or as needed when a problem appears. They are third-party registered products, not Turf & Surf formulations. Always read the label before applying.

Spartan: pre-emergent herbicide

Stops grassy weeds including winter grass, summer grass, and crab grass before they germinate. Apply at 10 to 30ml per 100m2. Use the higher rate for up to 6 months residual protection. Water in thoroughly.

Applied in April, before winter grass germinates, and September, before summer grass and crab grass germinate.

Bow and Arrow: post-emergent herbicide

Controls broadleaf weeds already growing in the lawn, including bindii, clover, and capeweed. Apply at 50ml per 100m2 to actively growing weeds.

Applied in April, when bindii and most broadleaf weeds are actively growing.

Acelepryn: insecticide

Controls lawn curl grubs and armyworm, with up to 6 months residual protection at the higher rate. Apply at 8 to 15ml per 100m2. Water in lightly immediately after application.

Applied in September for beetle larvae and grub prevention, and March for armyworm and caterpillar control.

Impala: fungicide

Controls fungal disease including dollar spot, brown patch, and anthracnose. Apply at 60ml per 100m2. Apply no more than 2 consecutive applications at 28-day intervals, then rotate to a fungicide from a different mode-of-action group.

Applied as needed, or preventatively when warm humid conditions favour disease. Do not apply Vivid on the same day as Impala.

Monthly schedule

All rates are per 100 square metres.

January

Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml, Soak 200ml

February

Density 2.5kg, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml, Vital 100ml, Base 120ml, Soak 200ml

March

Acelepryn 8 to 15ml, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml

April

Density 2.5kg, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml, Vital 100ml, Base 120ml, Bow and Arrow 50ml, Spartan 10 to 30ml

May

Vivid 100ml, Surge 100ml

June

Vivid 100ml, Surge 100ml

July

Vivid 100ml, Surge 100ml, Vital 100ml, Base 120ml

August

Density 2.5kg, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml

September

Acelepryn 8 to 15ml, Spartan 10 to 30ml, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml

October

Density 2.5kg, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml

November

Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml, Vital 100ml, Base 120ml, Soak 200ml

December

Density 2.5kg, Vivid 200ml, Surge 200ml, Soak 200ml

Application rates at a glance

All rates are per 100 square metres.

Soak: 200ml in January, February, November, December
Vital: 100ml in February, April, July, November
Base: 120ml in February, April, July, November
Surge: 200ml every month year-round (100ml in May, June, July)
Vivid: 200ml every month year-round (100ml in May, June, July)
Density: 2.5kg in February, April, August, October, December

Application instructions

Soil layer: Soak, Base, and Vital
These products may be mixed together in the same sprayer. Apply evenly across the lawn using a backpack sprayer. Water in immediately after application to move the products into the soil profile and root zone.

Leaf layer: Surge and Vivid
Apply as a foliar spray to the leaf surface. Allow the product to sit on the leaf and dry. Water in approximately 2 hours after application.

Granular layer: Density
Broadcast evenly with a spreader, then water in thoroughly to activate the release. Density can be applied on the same day as the liquids. Broadcast and water in first, then apply the liquid program once the granules have settled.

If temperatures exceed 30 degrees, apply the leaf layer early morning or evening. Do not apply immediately before heavy rain.

Ready to start?

The Starter Pack includes Soak, Vital, and Surge, the 3 core products to begin the program. The Full Routine Bundle includes all 5 Turf & Surf liquid products at a reduced price for the complete program.