Can I install indoor/outdoor carpet over dirt?

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Has anyone ever tried this? There used to be grass, but now is just dirt.

I have a small backyard and wanted to know if I could install the indoor/outdoor carpet (the type you can purchase at Lowe's or Home Depot, most commonly used on porches, sun rooms, etc) over my backyard that primarily consists of dirt. The area is about 12x12.

If I can, do I use some type of infill first to level it out? And should I use stakes to put in the ground, or just attach to the cement portion? I know there is more expensive artificial grass I can purchase, but looking to explore this option instead.

Thanks!
I installed sod last year but my dogs killed it all because the space is so small they don't have much room to walk/play.
 
Don't know what kinds of dogs you have but we installed a 12' X 18' piece of indoor outdoor carpet over grass 8 years ago and it has not rotted. To secure it we used large washers and pounded 10" spikes through them to secure the corners.

We have a Doberman and she hasn't caused any damage to it either.

You should level it out first to make it look neat. To clean it all you have to do is spray it off with a garden hose

Buy a better quality of carpet and you shouldn't have any problems.
 
A lot depends on the traffic and use for this area. An indoor outdoor carpet could work, but will tear up over a short time. A few alternatives are to install sod to the area which will give you immediate coverage of the bare spot or to plan a small garden patio area.
 
Yes but it will deteriorate in time. Smooth it out and try laying down square path stones and go from there.
 
Icky, stinky rot!!! The carpet doesn't drain well enough and soon you'll have a slimey stinky rotting mess. I'm not sure you could secure it well enough either to keep from slipping around........and it stretches, so your "lawn" will have "waves."

Even AstroTurf was put down on a very hard, compact layer...almost like concrete. Ask anyone who walked on it or fell on it.

The sythetic turfs drain, allow air penetration to the soil and are stable, they don't slip around.....and they are expensive.
 
no you dont want to because the fibers on the bottom will rot then the top fiber will come apart (i found out the hard way)
 
Laying it on a bed of sand, will help the water drain away, so you will have to arrange fall for the water to drain away.
It will last for sometime, but I would plant my own grass to save some money instead of buying artificial grass or ready grass roll.
 
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