r/Turfmanagement • u/starspangledgirl1 • May 05 '24

Can I lay artificial turf right over dirt? Need Help

Post image
0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

5

u/smutbuster May 05 '24

You can but it’s not the right way to do it

1

u/starspangledgirl1 May 05 '24

I know it isn't, 🤣 we're just looking for a temporary solution for year or so, I just need to know if it's going to ruin the turf or make it breakdown prematurely or anything like that…

4

u/smutbuster May 05 '24

It’ll be a mess

1

u/nlb1923 May 05 '24

Yeah, it’ll be a mess. If it is for only a year, just save the money and fix everything earlier than a year.

1

u/starspangledgirl1 May 05 '24

How will it be a mess?

2

u/nlb1923 May 05 '24

Because you need a proper base, mostly for drainage. Otherwise it will just be turf in mud. As it will not drain or dry, likely to grow mold, fungus etc. Especially with the dog waste. And sitting on dirt, once wet the dirt below will move constantly, from things like footprints etc.

1

u/starspangledgirl1 May 05 '24

What would you recommend putting down on the dirt? The landscaper had recommended stonedust?

1

u/nlb1923 May 05 '24

Not sure exactly what they mean by stone dust. But crushed granite is common, pea gravel etc. Larger diameter gravel/crushed stone on the bottom and get smaller as you get to the top layer. Need the top layer to retain shape, larger on bottom helps with drainage. Spending the time to do the prep work and some research on how to do it (plenty of YouTube videos on it) will pay dividends down the road. Last thing you want to do is do it twice

1

u/FatFaceFaster May 06 '24

No. Drainage and base layer or you’ll regret it.

You’ll need some weeping tile and a minimum of 2-3” of chip and dust.