Whether you’re replacing a struggling lawn, creating an ADA-compliant playground, or want to add a splash of color to your landscape, installing the turf is a wise investment.
Before laying the turf, remove the existing grass and prepare the base. You may use road base, decomposed granite, or weed barrier fabric.
Remove Existing Grass
There are many reasons why a gardener might choose to remove existing grass from the yard before starting a new project. Often turf installation takes up more than its share of water, requires lots of maintenance, or doesn’t suit the needs of the new garden.
Removing existing grass from a lawn is not an easy task, and several different methods exist to consider. Each method has pros and cons, depending on the amount of manual labor required, how large your lawn is, how much money you want to invest, and what you plan to do with the area after removing the grass.
Polarization is a common and eco-friendly way to kill grass, which smothers the vegetation with a heavy tarp for six to eight weeks. The tarp decomposes and breaks down the grass to compost without chemical herbicides. This process is best done in the fall but can also be carried out in early spring.
Prepare the Base
Before laying turf, you must prepare the base of the area. This will help the turf lay better on the ground and avoid bumps or wrinkles.
It would be best to start by spreading two to three inches of class II road base over the entire surface area. Then it would be best to wet it with the garden hose to compact the particles.
When you reach a level of 95% compaction, the sub-base is ready to lay turf on top of. If there are any areas where the base is not as flat and solid as you want, add a small amount of screening or stone dust material until it is as compacted as needed.
The final step in preparing the base is to spread the artificial grass rolls over it. It is best to leave about a quarter inch of extra space around each roll for bordering. This will allow you to hide any edges of the turf you may not want people to see when they walk over it.
Lay Out the Turf
Artificial turf has become a popular option for people who want to have a green lawn without the hassle of maintaining it. It also comes in various colors and styles, making finding the perfect fit for your home’s landscape easy.
The first step in laying out your new turf field is to prep the area. This includes removing any existing weeds or other natural vegetation, so your turf can look its best and last as long as possible.
Removing any large cracks in the concrete or brick surfaces is also a good idea so that you can get a smooth and level base for your turf.
Next, adding sand or gravel as the base material is a good idea. This will help your turf retain water and prevent it from leaking through the surface.
Install the Turf
Installing turf can be a labor-intensive project, and we often recommend using professional installers for large installations. However, there are some things that you can do to make the process a little easier on yourself.
The first step is to prepare a firm base. This can be done by spreading out a stone or gravel layer and then putting down a sharp sand layer on top.
Once the base is ready, lay down your artificial grass on top. Let it sit for at least three hours so that the material can dry out and avoid wrinkles.
Next, you’ll need to secure the turf around the perimeter and along the seam. Use 4-6 inch galvanized nails or landscape staples at 6″ to 8″ intervals to keep the turf in place and prevent unsightly dips.
Spongy, textured infill is another essential part of a turf installation. It helps keep the turf blades from looking limp, weighs down the strips, and provides cushioning for kids and pets who play on it.