Although a professional could greatly help you with installing your artificial grass, you may still prefer to do it yourself. This step-by-step guide will help you learn how to install artificial grass on soil and know what tools you should be using.
Follow these steps to install your artificial grass. Keep in mind that the amount of time it takes to complete the installation and the difficulty will depend on the shape of the area in which you are installing artificial grass and how many hands you have to help.
If you get lost or confused at any point, take a step back, look over what you have done so far, and then try watching some tutorial videos online or read through this step-by-step guide again until you feel as if you know what you are doing. This guide is meant to make artificial grass installation as easy and straightforward as possible.
Keep reading to see all the steps on how to install artificial grass on soil. You will follow them after you have the correct amount of turf measured out.
Table of Contents
What You Will Need
- Artificial grass
- Base material
- Sod cutter
- Landscape rake
- Plate compactor or heavy drum roller
- Friends to help
Step-By-Step Guide
1. Use a Sod Cutter to Remove the Topsoil
The topsoil is about the first 5 inches of depth from the surface of the ground. Most sod cutters are set at just 1-2 inches, but as long as you do not live in a freezing climate, that will be fine. The ground expands and contracts considerably in extreme climates, so more of the topsoil will need to be taken (at least 4 inches).
When you remove the topsoil, you will need to pick up any sticks and debris. Your trees and shrubbery can stay unless you already planned to remove those as well. Just make sure that you leave a 6-inch radius untouched by the sod cutter around the trees and shrubbery you do leave in place.
2. Rough Grading: Level the Ground
Steps 2, 3, and 4 are done immediately after one another.
When you lay artificial grass on soil, you can feel depressions in the ground and obtrusions through the artificial grass.
Even if you have a slight slope on the ground in which you are installing the artificial grass, you should still take time to make it smooth and somewhat leveled-out. To do this, you can use a landscaping rake.
3. Water the Ground
Immediately following the rough grading process, you will want to lightly water all parts of the ground that will be covered by artificial grass, emphasis on ‘lightly’. The slight moisture will help with the next step. Make sure that you do not add water to the point of soaking the ground.
4. Compact It
Compact the ground with a plate compactor or a heavy drum roller. This should be done directly after watering.
5. Spray the Herbicide You Want to Use
6. Install the Artificial Grass Edging
The edging is something you want to choose at the same time as the artificial grass, before beginning the installation process, because of the measurements you must take.
7. Create a Layer of Base Material
Artificial grass needs a layer between it and the ground to make it sturdier. It will also help with drainage because when water seeps through the artificial grass. The water needs somewhere to go, but it also should not completely soak the ground underneath because that could cause dimples to form. A layer of drain rock or crushed stone will filter the water and reduce the impact it has on the ground.
Calculating Base Material
To find the amount of base rock you need, take the total square footage of the area and apply it to the formula: 2,000lb of base material per 100 sq. ft.
For example, if the total area was 50 sq. ft, you would multiply 50 times 2,000 lbs., and then divide by the 100 sq. ft from the formula, making 1,000lbs of base material as a result. So, multiply the total square feet times 2,000, and divide by 100.
This formula accounts for a 3-inch layer of the base material.
8. Compact the Base Layer
9. Lay the Artificial Grass
Get some friends to help you position the artificial grass over the base layer. Make sure that you align the grass to where each piece has the grass blades going in the same direction as the pieces next to it. Use a seaming kit to secure the artificial grass.
How to Install Artificial Grass on Soil Comprised of Clay
If the area where the artificial grass is being installed is heavily comprised of clay, try creating a layer of crushed stone or geotextile fabric to create a better surface for the artificial grass before installing it.
Where to Find the Items You Will Need
Most of the supplies in the list above you can find in hardware stores or online.
You can even order artificial grass online. You will need to make sure that you are buying the correct amount of grass; it usually comes in long strips that lay next to each other on the ground. You may have to do some calculations to figure out the minimum amount of artificial grass needed to cover the area completely.
Finding the base material might be a little harder since you will need a way to transport it. Once you figure how much base material you need for the artificial grass, you can calculate the weight by using the information given to you by the supplier.
If you want to learn how to install artificial grass on soil, you can follow this guide, but for installing artificial grass on concrete, the process is completely different. With whichever method you need, make sure you do your research before fully submersing yourself in the process.
Once you get past the point of removing the topsoil, you will have to continue; otherwise, your yard will be bare ground with no soft grass or anything comfortable to walk on.
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