Want to know how to install artificial grass on dirt?

There are some terrific reasons for choosing to install artificial grass in your yard. For a start, this gives you a wonderfully uniform look that carries on looking great, no matter what the weather conditions are like.

It is clear to see why so many people are now very interested in laying an artificial lawn. This is one of the simplest and most effective ways of making any outdoor space more beautiful and also highly practical at the same time.

However, what if you are a little bit worried about how difficult it may be to install this grass at your home? Well, the good news is that it is a simple process that anyone can carry out in their garden without any major hassles.

The First Step: Clearing the Turf

In most cases, getting the ground prepared and clearing the existing turf is the most time-consuming element of the whole process. Having said that, it isn’t some sort of terrible job that you will hate every second of.

In fact, it can be good fun and also pretty satisfying to clear out the existing turf in your garden and see how the work starts to take shape. To get going with this phase, you can dig out the existing turf using a space or turf cutter.

You will then want to dig out the existing soil to up to 2 and a half inches in depth. At this point, you need to bear in mind that your new artificial lawn will sit about half an inch above any edging that you have in place.

Stop Weeds and Get a Solid Base

After this, you should look to carry out an important couple of jobs that will ensure you get a quality finish. The first of these tasks is to lay down a plastic membrane that will act to stop weeds from finding their way through.

You will be able to cut this membrane into the shape you need very easily. Once it is in place, you then need to add a small amount of sand, grit or crushed stone on top of it.

Just a thin base layer is needed but it will be enough to give you a solid and long-lasting base that will give your lawn the support it needs. This step is also necessary to make sure that you get the right level of drainage too.

Make It Nice and Level

At this point, you need to make the ground nice and level. Even if it looks fairly level right now, it still pays to make the extra effort needed to be absolutely sure.

This is most easily done by adding a layer of sand on top of the base materials already in place. Just a centimeter of two of sand will make it a lot easier for you to get a smooth and level surface.

A piece of wood is all that you need in order to smooth and level the sand. With this done you are ready to move on to the next step safe in the knowledge that you have a great base to lay the carpet on.

On the other hand, if your garden is really bumpy then you may need to sort this out before you even start the process of adding your new turf.

Cut the Grass to Size

You now need to make sure that you have exactly the right size and shape of artificial grass by cutting it. This is another job that is a good deal easier than you might think, although you definitely want to take some time over it to get it right.

Before you do this, there is also the option of laying down a shock-absorbing layer for a more comfortable and cushioned feel. Of course, if you are buying high-quality artificial grass, then it will already be nicely cushioned and comfortable to walk on.

Having taken this option into consideration, you are now ready to cut the turf itself. You can start this by looking at the space you need to cover and working out how best to lay it down.

With a utility knife and spirit level, you can do a professional job at this stage before moving to the best part of all. You should lay down the grass and make sure that it fits perfectly while you are cutting, to avoid the risk of making it too small in any part.

Lay the Artificial Turf

Now comes the most enjoyable part of the whole task. This is when you get to lay the new grass and see how it all looks fitted in place.

Be sure to push the grass into the corners snugly to get the perfect fit without any gaps. You should then nail it into place using nails every foot or so along the perimeter of the lawn.

You will want to use the right kind of adhesive in order to firmly secure the new turf where necessary. Just a thin layer of adhesive is usually fine, and this is usually most important in the parts when you have to make a join between two pieces of turf or where there is a steep slope to deal with.

Add Some Silica Sand

The final step in getting a beautiful artificial lawn is to sprinkle a thin layer of silica sand on top of it. You need to ensure it is evenly spread and then brushed into the grass.

This will help to keep the grass firmly in place right from the very beginning. This means that it is now looking great and ready to use.

This last step isn’t absolutely essential but it is definitely recommended. To be fair, you are most likely to want to add silica sand for stability if you have kids or dogs that will be playing on it regularly.

Enjoy It

Now that you have a great artificial lawn laid in your garden it is time to enjoy it. This type of grass offers a fantastic place to play with the kids, to enjoy the sun or to do anything else that takes your fancy.

Without any worries about damaging the grass you can enjoy it in the way that best suits you from now on.