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A base layer is typically required when installing artificial grass, and the specific materials depend on the surface where the turf is being placed.

If you are installing artificial grass over soil, you should lay down a sub-base and a weed barrier.

• Weed Barrier: A fabric weed barrier, weed membrane, or geo-textile paper is essential to prevent weeds from growing through and damaging the turf.

• Sub-base: This layer provides drainage, support, and prevents the turf from sinking. Common materials include a mixture of gravel and sand, such as crushed miscellaneous base (CMB), decomposed granite, decomposed limestone, or a specifically mixed road base. Other options include silica sand and granite sand.

If you are placing turf over a hard surface like concrete, you can often skip the sub-base and use a padded underlayment or shock-absorbent material like astro-cushion for comfort and safety.

If you are unsure which materials are best for your specific project, it's a good idea to consult with an artificial turf installer.

Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.

Although it’s not required to lay anything under mulch, it can help to put landscape fabric or plastic weed barrier down and lay mulch on top. The barrier helps keep weeds from growing up through your mulch. It also helps keep rodents and insects from burrowing into the ground underneath.

How much 4 yards of dirt will cover depends on how deep you want the soil to be. In general, a yard of dirt will cover 324 square feet for a 1-inch depth or 100 square feet for a 3-inch depth. Therefore, you can expect 4 yards to cover between 400 and 1,296 square feet if you keep your soil depth between 1 and 3 inches.