Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would lay artificial grass in our backyard. I adore real grass, flowers and greenery in general. But when it came to a particularly narrow strip of grass in our backyard that wouldn’t grow, I knew we had to do something about it. So, if you too are contemplating using artificial grass – whether it’s to use between patio stones, to cover a small area, or an entire yard – then read on to find out how to lay artificial grass like a pro.
~This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.~
Sourcing Artificial Grass
You can find artificial grass just about anywhere online. Online selections can be found at Costco, Wayfair, eBay, and Amazon, to name a few. But you can also find a few places that specialize in the sale and installation of this product, including Greenline Artificial Grass, which is where we ultimately decided to purchase ours (BTW: I have no affiliation with this company).
My husband was the one who did the research and found Greenline online and I am so glad he did.
There were a few things that impressed us about them: 1. They are an industry leader whose products are sold at Home Depot. 2. They provide grass not only for residential, but also commercial and recreational purposes. 3. The appearance of the grass looks great! They use blended, multiple thatch colors, including a golden brown base to mimic new growth for a realistic look. 4. Affordable pricing!
When your grass is delivered, it will look something like this:
I have to say, for artificial grass, it looked more realistic than I thought – or at least as realistic as synthetic can be. It had some nice texture and variation and I was excited to finally get it laid out in our backyard.
How To Lay Artificial Grass Like A Pro
MATERIALS You Will Need:
- artificial grass (there are a wide variety on Amazon)
- soil
- shovel
- wheelbarrow
- weed-suppressing membrane (like this one)
- sand, crushed stone or grit
- rake
- rubber mallet (like these ones) or hammer
- landscape staples (like these ones)
- silica sand (like these brands)
- course broom
- kitchen scissors
STEPS
Step 1: Lay Down Membrane & Soil
Before laying down the membrane, dig out the soil where the artificial grass will be lain. Dig out to a depth of 3-4 inches. Have a wheelbarrow handy to place the dirt in. You’ll be using it again.
Next, lay down the membrane. Then place the dirt you just dug out back onto the membrane. Using your rake, spread the dirt evenly. Use the flat end to flatten.
You can also use a large, flat piece of wood to even out the dirt.
Tip: If you have a large surface to cover, you will want to prevent weed growth by adding a layer of sand, crushed stone or grit on top of the soil.
Step 2: Cut Grass
Lay out the grass and cut the length and width needed using regular kitchen scissors.
It was incredibly easy to cut through.
Next, lay the cut grass on the soil. We laid both pieces, lengthwise, to cover the entire area.
For our purposes, we decided to create a wavy design to match the look of the grass all around the rest of the patio stone.
First, I created the outline for my design using stones from our backyard.
Using the outline created, I then cut the grass.
Step 3: Attach Grass
Taking a mallet, hammer in the landscape staples through the grass. Make sure to secure the edges and any sharp corners.
Step 4: Apply A Layer of Silica Sand
Apply a thin layer of silica sand.
Using a course broom, spread the sand evenly across the surface.
The sand will settle the grass and help prevent it from moving.
And that’s it! It is that easy to lay down artificial grass.
Here’s the view from the house:
This was our first time laying artificial grass and it could not have been easier. We are really happy with how it turned out. The artificial grass fits seamlessly into our yard.
While it is clear that this faux grass is not quite the same as the real thing, it turned out surprisingly well. It allowed us to match up all sides of the patio without giving up that ‘grassy’ appearance that we so love 🙂
For more articles and expert tips on how to lay artificial grass, check out the links below:
How To Install An Artificial Lawn
Learn How To Install Artificial Grass Yourself
How To Install Synthetic Grass on Concrete
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