Best Base for Artificial Grass: What You Need to Know
When you lay artificial grass, a synthetic lawn surface designed to look and feel like real grass without the upkeep. Also known as synthetic turf, it’s only as good as the layer underneath it. Too many people think installing artificial grass is just about unrolling a roll of green fabric. It’s not. The base is what holds everything together—preventing bumps, stopping water from pooling, and keeping your lawn flat for years. Skip the base, and you’re just paving the way for a lumpy, muddy mess in six months.
A proper base isn’t just dirt or gravel you dump down. It’s a layered system built for drainage, stability, and support. The most common and effective base uses crushed stone, a compactable aggregate made from hard rock like granite or limestone, often used in construction and landscaping as the bottom layer, usually 2 to 4 inches thick. Above that, you add a finer material like sharp sand, a coarse, angular sand that locks together when compacted, unlike rounded beach sand that shifts under pressure. This top layer gives your grass a smooth, even surface to lie on. Without the right mix, your turf will sink in spots, develop wrinkles, or trap water that kills the backing over time.
Drainage is the silent hero here. If your base doesn’t let water flow away, you’ll get standing puddles, mold under the turf, or even heaving in winter. A good base slopes slightly—about 1%—so rain runs off toward drains or garden edges. It’s not optional. In the UK, where rain is frequent, this isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. You also need to compact each layer properly. A hand tamper won’t cut it. Rent a plate compactor. It’s the one tool that makes the difference between a lawn that lasts 15 years and one that looks like a trampoline after a year.
Some people try to save money by using recycled materials or old soil. Don’t. Soil retains moisture and breaks down. Recycled concrete can contain rust or chemicals that damage the turf backing. Even landscape fabric, often sold as a weed barrier, can trap water if it’s not permeable enough. Stick to proven materials: crushed stone and sharp sand. That’s it. No magic blends, no shortcuts. The best base is simple, strong, and built to last.
You’ll find posts here that dig into exactly how thick each layer should be, what tools to use, how to test your soil before you start, and why some DIYers end up ripping out their turf after just one season. These aren’t theory pieces—they’re real, step-by-step guides from people who’ve done it right, and those who’ve learned the hard way. Whether you’re putting down turf in a small backyard or covering a whole garden, the base is where the job begins. Get it right, and your artificial grass will look perfect for over a decade. Get it wrong, and you’ll be back to square one—with a bigger bill.