Q&A for How to Lay a Turf Lawn

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Question

What should you put down before laying turf?

Benjamin Hansen
Licensed Landscape Contractor
Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.

Benjamin Hansen

Licensed Landscape Contractor

Expert Answer

If we're talking about synthetic turf, you'll want to first excavate down around seven, eight inches. Then backfill the space with about five inches of compacted granite-based road base, which will stabilize the region and kill any dormant weeds. The second layer should be about three inches of stabilized decomposed granite. Water this then let it cure for three days. After that, you can nail in your artificial turf.

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Question

Can sand be used as a base instead of topsoil?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Yes, as long as it isn't more than a few inches deep and of a loose, non compacting type.

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Question

Will I need a roller to level and flatten the turf?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Yes, it works best and can easily be rented at a local tool or home improvement center.

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Question

When top soil is freshly laid, should it be rolled before turf is laid on top?

Community Answer

No. You want the soil loose so the roots from the turf can easily grow into the top soil.

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Question

Do I loosen the soil on the bottom of the turf before I lay it?

Community Answer

You shouldn't need to, as long as you've properly cleared, raked, and fertilized the soil you'll be laying down the turf on.

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Question

Will the turf lawn fill in over time?

Community Answer

Once the turf has rooted, it will grow to look like a natural, healthy lawn.

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