The Green Shift - The Turf Shed's Journey from Defence to Turf

2025

After more than a decade as a Clearance Diving Officer in the Australian Defence Force, Doug and his wife Jaimie made a bold move. They left the Sydney sprawl, returned to Queensland, and built a business from the ground up—literally.

Now proud Landscape Queensland members, the couple runs The Turf Shed, a thriving, family-owned turf farm supplying high-quality, contractor-ready turf across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast. With 100 acres beside their tin shed, kids riding shotgun in the buggy, and a focus on quality over quantity, Doug and Jaimie have carved out a place for themselves in the heart of Queensland’s landscaping industry.

We caught up with the pair to hear how it all began, how innovation and family shape their operation, and why Defence veterans and landscaping make a natural match.

Tell us about The Turf Shed – and who’s behind it?
We’re Doug and Jaimie, Queensland born and bred, though we spent over a decade in Sydney while Doug served as a Clearance Diving Officer in the ADF. Doug’s always had a thing for adventure and the great outdoors (even if it meant diving headfirst into water), while I’ve always believed life’s better under the Queensland sun. After years in the concrete jungle, we wanted a real backyard where our kids could roll on genuine grass and our dogs didn’t have to settle for the fake stuff. With 100 acres next to our humble tin shed, The Turf Shed was born. We’re a small fish in a big pond, focused on quality turf and service that’s as easy as a Sunday afternoon.

The Turf Shed is known as a true family affair—kids, pets, and all! How has working alongside family shaped your business?It means we’re a family business in every sense of the word. Work makes it to the dinner table, and family often joins us on the job. It’s important for the future of our business. We’re lucky to have a great team that feels like an extension of our family, and we treat our clients the same way. Our kids get a front-row seat to farm life—tractor and buggy rides (they think we’re full-time buggy racers), cheeky dips in the creek, and naps on the harvester floor. It’s about blending work and play, building a legacy, and having a laugh along the way.

From soil science to water management, technology plays a growing role in modern turf farming. What innovative practices or equipment do you use?
Tech gives us a big edge. Our GPS-controlled spray units are precise, so we only apply what’s needed. We brew our own soil microbes to help the land recover after harvest. Our irrigators run overnight to conserve water, and our Firefly harvester reduces waste, which we recycle back into the farm. We aim to work smarter, stay efficient, and keep things as regenerative as possible. Tech helps us get there.

Landscapers know there’s more to turf than meets the eye. What’s one thing about turf farming that would surprise even seasoned contractors?
Turf farming isn’t about letting the grass grow and hoping for the best. It’s a mix of science and art. The real magic starts underground, with soil that’s constantly fed nutrients in a natural cycle. High-tech machinery tracks everything, making sure the turf gets what it needs to thrive. Even though it looks like neat fields of green, there’s a lot more mud and hard work behind the scenes.

What’s the most common mistake made when laying turf—and your advice for fixing it?
The biggest mistake is poor soil prep and not enough water. You can’t throw turf on dry subsoil and expect good results. Start by improving the base, use quality underlay and starter fertiliser, and keep the turf moist through the early phase. That’s what gives it the best chance to establish properly.

What’s your top advice to landscapers for helping clients maintain turf longevity?
Turf is usually the final step in a landscaping project, but watering often gets overlooked. Landscapers should make sure homeowners know how to care for their lawn during the first month. Regular watering is the key to turning a fresh lawn into a lasting one.

What keeps you passionate about the landscaping industry?
Watching outdoor spaces transform is always rewarding. Turf is often the final touch that brings a design to life. Whether it’s a home or commercial project, we love seeing the before and after and knowing the quality we deliver made a difference. We enjoy working outdoors, solving new problems, and having fun as a family while we do it. Our own yard went from a dust bowl to a green playground, and that’s the kind of transformation we’re proud to help others create.

Doug, ADF members often find the Landscaping industry a fulfilling career transition. What would you say to someone thinking about it?
Every Defence role is different, but for me—being a former Clearance Diver—sitting behind a desk wasn’t an option. Now, I don’t even have a desk. Defence teaches problem solving and people management, and both are essential in this industry. When you’re out on your own, responsibility is everything. My advice: if you’re jumping in, go all in. Back yourself, stay committed, and enjoy the wins that come from hard work.

As The Turf Shed continues to grow—grass, business, and family, Doug and Jaimie are proving that quality, care, and innovation can thrive together. They’re not just producing great turf. They’re building something that lasts. And in an industry that values strong roots, both in the ground and in the community, that’s exactly what Queensland landscaping is proud to stand behind.