Can You Just Lay Artificial Turf on Top of Soil?

No, you shouldn’t lay artificial turf directly on top of soil. This “shortcut” can and will lead to serious issues down the line, such as:

• Uneven Surface Issues

If your soil has an uneven surface, this can quickly be reflected in lumps, bumps, and irregular textures for even the finest artificial grass products. Without properly leveling the surface first, any inconsistencies in the soil will remain visible. 

• Poor Drainage

High-quality residential artificial grass is permeable, allowing water, air, and tiny particles to pass through. However, if you simply lay turf over dense soil, this can prevent rainwater and melting snow from properly draining. Standing moisture leads to stagnant puddles, lawn odors, and increased growth of weeds and moss.

• Weed and Moss Growth

Rolling out artificial turf directly on soil without proper drainage will create a moist environment where weeds and moss can easily thrive. 

• Lack of Stability

Without a base layer to anchor it down, your artificial turf may gradually loosen and shift. This causes the grass to wrinkle. In windy areas, sections of turf can billow up or even blow away entirely.

The Proper Installation Process

Ground preparation is an essential part of our installation process here at FieldTurf Landscape and for our partner installers. Here is an overview of the key steps we take when laying down artificial grass for homes and businesses:

• Remove Existing Grass and Weeds

First is the excavation. After marking the installation site, we eliminate any existing vegetation, pulling weeds and roots up fully. This prevents regrowth later on.

• Level and Compact the Soil

Then, we address any uneven areas, mounds, or depressions by raking, filling, tamping down, and smoothing the soil. We compact and harden the entire area to create a solid foundation for the artificial grass.

• Install a Base Layer

A base layer of crushed stone, typically 2-4 inches deep, is vital for stability, drainage, and weed prevention. The uniform rocks create airflow space beneath the turf and go over the compacted soil.

• Install Artificial Grass

Once the foundation is ready (and after adding optional features like weed barriers or shock pads), it’s time to unroll the artificial grass. We carefully check the position of the turf, nail the edges down and secure the turf in place. Finally, we brush infill all over the area for a finishing touch.

These necessary preparation steps prevent  issues down the road – from rippling turf to flooded lawns. 

Learn More About Artificial Grass Installation

A lot of work goes into a beautiful artificial lawn, which is a significant investment that can last anywhere from 8-20 years. Every detail has to be flawless and our best advice is to have a professional installer assess your lawn and handle the preparation and turf laying. 

We’d love to walk you through the rest of the process and answer any questions you may have. Get started by calling us at 866-352-4575 or sending us a message.