Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
artificial turf
Lay the ultimate lowmaintenance groundcover. No mowing required!
Gather your supplies
• Crusher dust (allow 2 tonnes per 20sqm) • Selected synthetic turf, pegs and, if required, joining tape
• Fine washed sand (allow 4 tonnes per 20sqm)
You’ll also need
Turf cutter (hired); herbicide; cement and dust mask (optional); rake; plate compactor (hired); straightedge; utility knife; stiff broom; sand and cement; trowel
Here’s how
STEP 1 Use hired turf cutter to clear grass. Spray herbicide to kill any remaining.
STEP 2 Spread 50mm layer of crusher dust over area to be turfed. For a hard surface requiring bounce, as here, harden by mixing cement in with dust. Wear a dust mask when spreading cement. Rake to level.
STEP 3 Wet then compact surface using a hired plate compactor.
STEP 4 Spread more crusher dust to fill dips. Use straightedge to make level.
STEP 5 Roll out turf and cut to size with utility knife. If rolling out multiple pieces ensure ‘grain’ of turf matches so completed job looks the same. Join turf following manufacturers’ instructions, using synthetic turf joining tape.
STEP 6 Insert pegs around edges of turf, spacing them 300mm apart. Also peg along joins, if any.
STEP 7 Spread fine washed sand over turf. Use stiff broom to even out sand, brushing against grain of turf.
STEP 8 Make stiff sand and cement mix. Use trowel to apply mix along edges of turf. Angle at a 45° angle to create haunch.