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DIY Instructions for Installing Artificial Grass for Dogs & Pets
Materials and Equipment Needed:
Shovel, wheelbarrow, landscaping rake, seam tape, razor knife, 6” spikes, hammer, stiff bristled
nylon broom, Envirofill infill, fertilizer spreader/broadcaster, tamper or water roller, weed
barrier fabric, water-filled spray bottle (optional), bender board and screws (optional)
1) Clear your site of all vegetation and organic material. You want to start from clean dirt that
is that is relatively smooth and free from large clumps. Rent a sod cutter machine if you
have a large area to remove.
2) Spread gray breeze (also known as crusher fines and 3/8 minus crushed granite) to a depth
of 3” - 4” using a landscape rake. Once the breeze is spread evenly use the flat edge of the
landscape rake to smooth and grade the area. If your grass will be next to a sidewalk or
another border be sure that the grass will extend above the border to your desired height.
Next, use a tamper or a water roller to compact the breeze so that it is stable to walk on yet
still permeable.
3) Lay your grass over the breeze making
sure that the grass meets or extends
past your desired border. If you are
seaming two pieces of grass together
make sure that the “grain” of the two
pieces of grass are going in the same
direction.
4) When seaming pieces of grass together you will need to cut the starter strips off the edges
of your grass pieces with a razor knife/utility blade. Do this by cutting along the 2nd stitch
line in from the starter strip. Some find it easier to find
the stitch line by spraying the back of the grass with
water. Once the edges are cut place the pieces of grass
tightly next to each other so that there are no gaps.
Next, roll back the two pieces of grass and center your
self-adhesive seam tape on the middle of the seam
tape will be where the two pieces of grass will meet.
Then slowly place one piece of grass on to the seam
tape by starting at one end and slowly pressing the
grass on to the tape. Next, repeat the process
with the other piece of grass making sure to
keep your blades of grass from folding into the
seaming area.
5) Trim the edges of the grass to fit your area by using your razor knife. Fold back your grass
until it meets your border and then cut it along the backing of the grass. Do this slowly
every foot or so.
6) Hammer in your spikes along the perimeter of the grass about an inch from the edge of the
grass. Do this every 6” to 1’. Be sure not to hammer down any blades of grass by getting
your spike hammered 2/3 of the way down and then using another spike in your other hand
to keep blades of grass away as you finish hammering. If you have dogs whose main hobby
is digging in the yard then you may want to create a more secure perimeter by building a
perimeter with weather-resistant bender boards. Once the bender boards are in place you
will want to fold the grass over the boards and then screw them in place so your dogs will
be unable to get to the edges of the grass.
7) Grab your STIFF BRISTLED NYLON BROOM and push against the grain of the grass until the
blades are standing upright. Make sure to keep one hand in front of you and the end of the
broom next to your hip so that you don’t accidentally poke yourself in the stomach with
the end of the broom handle.
8) Once the blades of grass are upright fill the fertilizer spreader with the Envirofill infill and
follow a similar pattern to mowing a lawn. After each pass make sure to brush the infill into
the grass. Repeat this process until there are no more bags of infill left. You should have
approximately 2 lbs. of infill per square foot. Next, brush the grass again until the infill is
spread evenly and the all the blades of grass are standing upright.
9) MAINTENANCE: In the Autumn make sure to use a leaf blower to remove fallen leaves
instead of a rake. Raking leaves on artificial grass will cause the leaves to break apart and
create pockets of organic material that may begin to grow plants or weeds.