How to Lay Fake Turf

Mark out the area in which you want to install the fake turf with marking paint. If you are completely replacing a yard or landscape, you can skip this part.

Dig out the installation area to a depth of 6 inches with sharp spades or shovels. You should notice the color of the soil change from dark to lighter; this indicates that you have hit compacted, firm subsoil, which will better support your fake turf.

Layer the bottom 4 inches of the dug out area with a mixture of equal parts sand and pea gravel. This will ensure that rainwater and dew will drain through into the lower soil, instead of accumulating in and flooding your fake turf.

Compact the sand and pea gravel with a plate compactor or hand tamper to firm up the support base. Run a level across the area to ensure that it is relatively level; it doesn't have to be perfect, since most grass, both artificial and real, has small hills and valleys.

Spread out the rolls of artificial turf over the entire prepared area. If you need to use multiple rolls, glue seams together with artificial grass adhesive, spread evenly along the whole seam. This will ensure that the seams are invisible to onlookers.

Secure the fake grass to the ground below with steel irrigation pins, spaced every 24 inches along the edges, along each seam and across the turf in a grid pattern. This will prevent the edges or middle from pulling up or bulging under weight.

Run a push broom across the entire area, against the general lean of the grass, to ensure that the sand below is evenly distributed. Once everything is swept evenly and secured tightly, the installation is complete.