small wooden toy hut on artificial grass turf

Can you Lay Artificial Grass on Topsoil?

With the popularity of artificial grass and astroturf rising among homeowners in the UK, you need to be aware of a few things before setting upon your new garden project. If you’ll be installing the new turf by yourself to keep costs down amidst of the current crisis impacting disposable income, you want to be sure that you lay it correctly so that it lasts for years to come.


Can you lay artificial grass on topsoil?

If you’re looking for a short and quick answer, no, you shouldn’t lay artificial grass directly on top of topsoil or any other soil for that matter. Not only will it result in an uneven finish to your brand new astroturf, but it will also slowly over time have weeds appearing creating a pretty bad eyesore!

Although you need topsoil further down in the layers, artificial lawn needs to be installed in a certain way (which we will outline later on), as this will ensure your hard work isn’t ruined in just a matter of weeks.


Other solutions

Whilst you need topsoil in the process of laying down fake grass, it shouldn’t be the top layer. As the structure underneath the artificial grass needs to be solid, having materials such as aggregates, drainage rock and gravel near the top and bottom will provide a solid base for years to come.

When applying astroturf in your garden or small space, you should consider using:


Benefits of artificial turf

When demand for a product or service skyrockets, there’s got to be a reason, right? Artificial grass is no different when it comes to a surge in demand as the latest figures suggest.

Whether it’s for playgrounds, sports areas or general garden use, having fake grass in your garden has a long list of benefits.

  • Strong heat and water resistance qualities
  • Designed to withstand rugged wear and tear
  • Provides a safer and cleaner alternative to lawn turf
  • Requires minimal maintenance and attention
  • Aestichally pleasing in all types of weather


What can you use topsoil for?

Whilst topsoil is used within the process of laying artificial grass and astroturf, that isn’t all it’s used for. Topsoil is mainly used to cover empty patches, create new raised beds and borders, levelling and laying grass lawns.
To find out more information on what topsoil is used for, see our in-depth guide.

About the Author

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Alsoils

The Alsoils Team

For more than three decades, Alsoils has been a trusted name in delivering superior soil, compost products and offering landscaping services. Based in Hampshire, Alsoils caters to a diverse clientele, including both homeowners and businesses. Our team are experts in all things gardening, so you can be sure you get the very best advice for topsoil, compost, manure and so much more!

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Based on 14 reviews
Mark Belshaw
Mark Belshaw
2023-02-17
Ordered 2 bulk bags of manure on Wednesday, late afternoon and all was delivered by Friday lunch time. Great quality product and excellent delivery turnaround.
Charles Smith
Charles Smith
2022-06-30
Excellent, from order to delivery. 10 tonnes of loose load top soil delivered within a few days. Best price and the 10mm screened soil is great quality. Thank you
Lesley Barry
Lesley Barry
2022-05-15
Excellent product ordered 4 bags of top soil the driver was so accommodating as we have a very long driveway. The customer sevice was excellent. Thank you.
David Robberts
David Robberts
2021-05-13
Excellent product at a sensible price from a local supplier. Staff are friendly and willing to help: I asked if just one bag of topsoil could be delivered quickly and it arrived next day! Great service.
Mark Hibberd
Mark Hibberd
2018-06-11
Smooth execution of the transaction and delivery. Very helpful phone call and conversation. Ordered three bags of Border Blend topsoil. Paid by Paypal. They delivered, on the specified date, carefully, exactly where I wanted the bags placed. All in all, a very pleasing purchase. The topsoil was excellent and had been very carefully prepared. No lumps. Would definitely recommend and I will use again. Everyone I spoke to was nice and helpful.
David Stamp
David Stamp
2015-09-18
Ordered topsoil on Tuesday came by Friday at the exact time quoted. Was WAY cheaper than anywhere else (by about £15 per bag) and was dropped off via a crane on back of the lorry, not by pallet which most of the other places use. Soil was fine and dry. Brilliant !