DIY Artificial Grass in Phoenix

Rebates

• Counties and cities in Arizona give rebates for removing real grass and replacing it with artificial grass. In the greater Phoenix area, several cities offer homeowners cash rebates to replace existing lawn with artificial grass, according to The Association of Synthetic Grass Installers. To find out if your city or county offers a rebate, call the city building where you live and also the water company.

Preparation

• Prepare your yard for artificial grass by digging out your old lawn and removing rocks and debris. You may need to use a rototiller or sod cutter to get all the old grass out, especially if it is a big job. It is a good idea to sprinkle a vegetation killer to prevent weeds and grass from growing back, particularly around the edges of your yard.

  To ensure that your artificial grass is smooth, level out the area and compact it down with a vibrating plate compactor. If the ground is not completely firm, you might have a problem with your artificial grass sinking in some areas later. A compactor usually can be rented from a hardware store.

  To allow for proper drainage of your artificial lawn, put down a 1- to 2-inch thick layer of crushed granite before installing the grass. The more arid your climate, such as Phoenix, the less crushed granite you need. Use a rake to spread out the gravel until it is level and smooth.

Measure and Prepare the Grass

• After measuring your yard, decide whether you can use one large piece of artificial grass or need to seam two pieces together. If you use two sections of grass, lay them down with the grain/fibers going in the same direction so the seam will not be noticeable. The process of seaming together artificial grass is the same as attaching two pieces of indoor carpet. After using seam tape to adhere the pieces to each other, it is a good idea to add weights, such as bricks or sandbags, to ensure it dries securely.

Securing the Grass

• Moving a piece of artificial grass takes several people because it needs to be carried over the yard and set down gently so the gravel underlay is not disturbed. It is important to place the grass in the correct position. Try laying the grass edge against the straightest edge of your yard and smoothing it out from there. To secure it, hammer 40-d, 6-inch galvanized nails every 12 inches around the edge of the grass. The galvanized nails will not rust. Use a carpet-cutting blade to trim the rest of the grass to fit the shape of the yard.

Finishing Up

• Another method of securing artificial grass to the ground is to spread infill on top of the artificial grass. Infill is material that is heavy enough to anchor the grass, such as sand. Use a fertilizer spreader to distribute the sand over the artificial grass, focusing on the edges. The sand will sink into the grass and act as a weight. Use a brush to fluff up the grass and help the sand sink down.