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How To Install Artificial Grass

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If you’re tired of lawn care such as aerating, fertilizing, watering and mowing to achieve the perfect, plush green lawn, then artificial grass is an excellent alternative. You can enjoy green turf year-round without spending endless time and energy on lawn maintenance. Synthetic turf is extremely durable and is ideal for high-traffic areas. Take back your weekends! Here’s how to install artificial grass in your yard:

Tools Required

  • chalk or marking paint
  • measuring tape
  • level
  • wheelbarrow
  • spade and shovel
  • rake
  • plate tamper
  • turf cutter or undercut carpet cutter
  • hard bristle broom

Landscaping Materials Required

  • synthetic turf
  • gravel
  • geotextile weed barrier
  • seam tape
  • adhesive


Planning & Design

  • When installing artificial grass, consider the location and size of area.
  • Sketch the overall design and placement beforehand.
  • Use the sketch to map out the space in the yard using a measuring tape and marking paint.
  • Write down exact measurements on your sketch.
  • Do a quick estimate of synthetic turf required based on the square footage of the area. Multiply your lawn width by the lawn length to get the size in square feet.
  • Determine the amount of landscaping materials required.

Rockland Landscaping Supplies has a Materials Volume Calculator and knowledgeable staff to help you determine the required amount of landscaping supplies.

 Calculator


Excavation & Base Preparation

  • Before digging, always remember to contact the utility company serving you in the Edmonton Area to ensure it’s safe.
  • Spray the area with some weed killer 2 weeks before to kill all grass, plants and roots deep down in the soil.
  • After old grass or plants have died, remove 3-4 inches of sod, old plant material and/or soil using a spade/shovel and wheelbarrow.
  • Use your measuring tape frequently to check the depth against the desired height of the artificial grass surface.
  • Use a plate tamper to ensure all soil is fully compacted.
  • Consider grading and drainage away from the home. Synthetic turf installed over well-draining soil should have no issues but installs over concrete will require a drainage system.
  • Line the excavation site with a rubber or timber border to keep edges secure. You may also consider a stone curb or edging stone.
  • Lay a geotextile weed barrier to prevent weeds or other critters from coming up through the artificial grass.
  • Apply 3 inches of gravel and spread evenly in the excavation site using a rake.
  • Use a plate tamper and a fine spray of water to compact the gravel into a solid base.
  • Ensure the base is level and graded appropriately using a level. Add or remove gravel where needed using a rake and repeat the step above.

Synthetic Turf Installation

  • Spread out the turf and measure the length and width of the synthetic grass rolls required to cover your space.
  • Seaming is often required to join synthetic grass rolls to cover the full width of the lawn.
  • Each artificial turf manufacturer has their own recommendation for seaming and gluing turf in place. Rockland’s installation instructions are based on the Rymar Synthetic Grass Installation Guide.
  • Lay one roll of turf down on the prepared base and use an undercut carpet cutter to cut a straight edge of the artificial grass.
  • Lay the other roll next to the first turf strip and line up the edges of the rolls so they are slightly overlapping.
  • Ensure all the artificial grass fibres are going in the same direction.
  • Use an undercut carpet cutter to trim the overlapped roll to match the trimmed edge of the other roll.*
  • Ensure that all edges line up as close as possible for seamless joints.
  • Use sandbags to keep synthetic grass in place while you continue all the necessary cuts.
  • To glue the seams together, line the turf strips as close together as possible and then fold the edges of joining turf strips back to expose the base.
  • Determine the centre line of the seam, lay seam tape down the centre line and apply adhesive along the entire length of the seam tape.
  • Fold the turf strips back over the seam tape and secure in place with sandbags.
  • Allow adhesive to dry.
  • Repeat above steps to install the artificial grass using a utility knife or undercut carpet cutter to trim around the border as needed for the perfect fit.

Paver Installation Completion

  • To prevent curling and to keep edges at the border in place, secure the perimeter of the turf with landscape spikes, pins or sod staples.
  • Hammer landscape spikes in approximately 5 inches a part taking care not to damage the synthetic turf.
  • Add infill material such as washed silica sand to the artificial lawn. Infill adds cushioning and helps keep individual blades standing upright. For best results, we recommend reviewing directions from your synthetic turf manufacturer.
  • Use a drop seeder to apply the infill material and use a hard bristle broom to spread material for a depth of no greater than half an inch per layer.*
  • Ensure blades are standing upright and are exposed during brooming process.
  • Repeat the above steps until a little more than half of the blade is covered.
  • Water the lawn to help infill material settle.
  • Artificial lawn installation is complete!

Rockland has artificial grass, a large selection of Edmonton landscaping supplies and equipment rentals for your garden projects.


Please contact us if you have any questions and join our Facebook Group to get advice from our knowledgeable staff and landscape experts! Ask questions, share your experiences and your garden photos with us!


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