How to Install Turfstone in Residential Landscaping

Have you ever wondered if turfstone would be a good fit for you? Turfstone is a great option if you have any low spots or places in your yard that end up with a muddy mess every time it rains.

In this blog post, we dive into all the details about how you can install turfstone in your yard.

Step #1: Mark Out the Project

Before you start, measure out where you want your turfstone to be and use white marking paint to indicate the edges. Allow an extra six inches for edge restraint. Also, make sure to only use white paint, as it is the color for excavation.

Step #2: Excavate

The depth needed for excavation is different from project to project. However, for turfstone, you will need to excavate at least thirteen inches. This allows for eight inches of gravel, one inch of bedding material, and four inches of the turfstone itself.

If you have an area with a significant slope, you will need to use a string line or laser to ensure you end up with the proper depth on the entire area.

Step #3: Lay the Gravel Base

Once you finish excavation, lay a permeable geotextile fabric to allow water to seep through the fabric without dirt migrating up into the gravel. Now it is time to add the gravel base. Since this project uses permeable base construction, you should only use crushed gravel.

After you add the layer of quarry rock, compact it tightly. If your area receives vehicular traffic, you need to lay biaxial geogrid on top of the first four inches of gravel to create additional strength and interlock. Lay your final four inches of gravel on top of the geogrid.

Step #4: Lay Bedding Material

Now that the gravel base is complete, it is time to lay your bedding material. We recommend using quarter-ten or quarter-inch chip rock that will be permeable. Use one-inch pipes or something similar to ensure that you lay a consistent one-inch of bedding. Smooth and compact the bedding material.

Step #5: Lay Turfstone

It is now time to lay the turfstone. Turfstone comes in a single shape and size, but you can choose from a few different laying patterns. We recommend a stack bond (corner to corner) pattern if your area will see only pedestrian traffic. However, if your turfstone area will also see vehicular traffic, we recommend a perpendicular running bond with a one-third offset. Follow a string line to make sure the pattern stays consistent.

Step #6: Install Edge Restraint

If your turfstone will primarily see pedestrian traffic, it is not as necessary to use edge restraint and you can skip this step. However, if your turfstone will also have a lot of vehicular traffic, an edge restraint is necessary. Use perma paver edge restraint and follow the installation instructions to add extra security to your pavers.

Step #7: Compact

It is time to compact everything tightly together. We recommend using a compactor with a roller attachment to avoid any cracking. However, if you do not have access to one, you can also use a 150-pound steel plate compactor or rubber mallet to settle them more securely into the bedding.

Step #8: Add Dirt and Grass

Now that everything is compacted, fill the cells of the turfstone with dirt. Spray it with water and add additional dirt if needed to make sure it does not sink or have empty spots.

Once the dirt is inserted, sprinkle grass seed to ensure that in a couple of months you will have lawn coming up through your turfstone. This will give you a much sturdier grassy area, even though it will still require you to mow it.

Explore Additional Resources

Whether you are installing turfstone or another hardscape, we have pavers and resources to make it as easy as possible. If you are ready to get started with the installation process, you can click here to make your choice from our selection of products. Check out our DIY with WI page for access to tutorials, guides, and more. Our team will be happy to assist you with any questions or personalized advice you need for your installation.