HOW TO LAY ARTIFICIAL GRASS

If you’re looking for a beautiful garden without any maintenance, artificial grass is the perfect option. It looks like real grass but is more durable and weather resistant, and also very low maintenance which is ideal for busy families or people who don’t want to spend time cutting grass. Ideal for urban and small gardens, there’s no need to water it in dry weather and the artificial turf is porous so won’t have puddles in the rain.

Here’s what you need to get you started:

• Spade
• Fork
• Sharp sand
• Heavy hammer
• Weed membrane
• Artificial grass
• Craft knife
• Joining tape
• Adhesive
• Ground pins
• Stiff brush

PREPARING YOUR BASE FOR ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Before you start you will need to check for any puddles, do you have adequate drainage, removing any weeds or plants and check that access points to the garden are clear.

The surface needs to be smooth and level but you can add a thin layer of sand to help with any minor defects.

Remove the natural turf and soil to a depth of 10cm. Artificial grass should not be installed directly on topsoil.
Compact the surface with a roller. Spray the area with a weedkiller and then install weed membrane.

If a timber surround is required, place it at this stage before the artificial grass is laid and ensuring its not above the final planned grass line.

Apply a minimum of 75mm of 20mm grade size aggregate onto the surface and compact the stone with a roller. After compacting, use a layer of stone – 6-14mm grade size or builders sand to a depth of 20-40mm. Compact this to the required level topping up if needed to achieve the desired level.

HOW TO LAY ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Roll out your grass onto the levelled area allowing 5cm of extra grass on all sides. This will give you enough material to get the perfect edge. Leave your grass for 2-3 hours to help remove creases.

Trim your grass carefully with a sharp knife to give a smooth and neat finish. You can use carpet tacks to secure the grass to a wooden surface or decking, or an adhesive suitable for outdoor use on a concrete surface.

For large areas you may need to join two pieces of grass so you will need joining tape and adhesive.

HOW TO JOIN ARTIFICIAL GRASS

To join two pieces of artificial grass together you will first unroll the grass into position then cut close to the bead on the first piece of grass ensuring there are no spaces. On the second piece, cut leaving a space for the beading. Create a ‘dry’ join by positioning the two pieces together. Unroll the joining tape and fold back the joining edges by about 30cm. Make sure the shiny side of the tape is face down.

Spread glue onto the joining tape and work your way down the seam carefully joining the two pieces together.

Once it has been applied, lightly brush over the seam to pressurise the adhesive.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR ARTIFICIAL GRASS

Regular brushing of your grass with a broom or plastic leaf rake will help keep the fibres straight and even. Leaves and dirt can be removed with a broom or leaf blower. Spillages can be washed away with water and dog / cat faeces can be left to harden and then be removed. A diluted disinfectant can be used to wash away any residue.

Avoid sharp objects and spread the load of garden furniture to minimise indentations.

Make sure hot objects such as BBQs do not come into contact with your grass.