Top New Lawn Installation (Sod & Turf) in Taunton, Massachusetts Ranked

Transforming a patchy, bare, or problematic yard into a lush, green landscape is a major home improvement project. Whether you're looking for the instant gratification of a sod lawn or the low-maintenance appeal of artificial turf, professional new lawn installation ensures a beautiful, durable, and functional result. This guide will help you understand the key processes, costs, and considerations for turf and sod installation in Taunton, so you can make an informed decision and connect with the right local expertise for your property.

Amazing Garden & Construction

75 2nd Ave #605, Needham, MA 02494

Amazing Garden & Construction is a landscaping and construction company based in Boston, MA, serving multiple locations across Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. They offer a wide range of services including custom landscape design, installation of outdoor patios, stone walls, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, decks, fences, pergolas, landscape lighting, swimming pools, synthetic turf, sod, and irrigation systems. Their expertise includes hardscaping with pavers and retaining walls, as well as sprinkler installation and repair. The company focuses on creating durable and easy-to-maintain outdoor spaces that reflect each client's unique vision.

4.9

78 Reviews

Riddle landscaping

4577 Washington St, Boston, MA 02131

Riddle Landscaping is a landscaping company based in Boston, MA, offering a wide range of services including lawn mowing, lawn care, sod installation, artificial turf installation, landscape design, tree removal, and stump grinding. They serve both residential and commercial properties in Boston and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, Riddle Landscaping provides tailored landscaping solutions and routine maintenance. Their team is known for good communication and building strong client relationships.

4.9

72 Reviews

Curbs Studio

445 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482

Curbs Studio is a full-service landscape design-build firm based in Boston, MA, serving the Greater Boston Metro West area including Wellesley, Newton, and Needham. With over 20 years of experience, they offer integrated landscape design, construction, and maintenance services. Their in-house team handles all phases of projects, from detailed design and permitting to construction and ongoing garden care. Curbs Studio specializes in creating refined outdoor spaces featuring sod installation, irrigation systems, hardscaping with retaining walls and patios, grading, and drainage solutions. They emphasize precision and craftsmanship, ensuring that each project is both beautiful and functional.

5.0

20 Reviews

New England Turf Store

5 Fulton St, Canton, MA 02021

New England Turf Store is a landscaping company based in Boston, MA, specializing in artificial turf installation and landscape design. They serve residential, commercial, athletic, and institutional clients throughout Massachusetts, offering a wide range of synthetic grass products including pet turf, playground turf, and sports surfaces. With over 30 years of experience, they provide planning, design, and installation services using advanced artificial grass technologies such as SYNLawn's Super Yarn™, which features antimicrobial, infrared reflective, and anti-static properties. Their expertise extends to athletic facilities, golf courses, and green walls, making them a versatile choice for various landscaping needs.

4.7

35 Reviews

Macauley Brothers Inc

528 Columbian St #1130, Weymouth, MA 02190

Macauley Brothers Inc is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Boston, MA. Since 1986, they have offered services including landscape design, lawn installation, and hardscape construction such as patios, retaining walls, and custom driveways. They specialize in certified installation of high strength concrete pavers and retaining walls, serving both residential and commercial clients in the Boston area. Their experience spans from landscape maintenance to full property redesigns focused on low maintenance and environmentally sound solutions.

4.8

20 Reviews

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Understanding Your Options: Natural Sod vs. Artificial Turf

The first and most significant decision in your lawn replacement project is choosing between natural grass sod and synthetic turf. Each offers distinct benefits and requires a different approach to installation and long-term care.

Natural Sod provides a traditional, living lawn. It offers a cool, soft surface that feels natural underfoot, supports local ecology, and can improve air quality. Once established, it's a resilient and self-repairing surface. However, it demands consistent watering, regular mowing, fertilization, and seasonal care to thrive in the New England climate.

Artificial Turf, or synthetic grass, delivers a perpetually green, manicured look with minimal upkeep. It requires no mowing, watering, or chemical treatments, making it an increasingly popular choice for busy homeowners, pet owners, and areas with challenging growing conditions. Modern products are designed to be durable, UV-resistant, and more natural-looking than ever.

The Critical Role of Site Preparation

Regardless of which option you choose, proper site preparation is the non-negotiable foundation for a successful and long-lasting lawn. ^{1 2} Cutting corners here can lead to drainage issues, uneven surfaces, poor rooting for sod, or premature wear and buckling for artificial turf.

Preparing for a Natural Sod Lawn

The goal for sod preparation is to create a nutrient-rich, well-draining seedbed that encourages the sod's roots to knit quickly with your native soil.

• Clearing and Tilling: The process begins with removing all existing grass, weeds, rocks, and debris. The soil is then tilled to a depth of 4 to 6 inches to break up compaction, which is essential for root penetration and water absorption. ^{3 4}
• Soil Testing and Amendments: A simple soil test is highly recommended to determine pH and nutrient levels. Based on the results, amendments like lime (to raise pH), sulfur (to lower pH), compost, or a starter fertilizer are worked into the tilled soil to create an optimal growing environment. ⁵
• Grading and Drainage: The area must be graded to slope gently away from your home's foundation and other structures-typically a drop of about 1 foot over 50 feet is adequate. ⁴ This prevents water from pooling, which can drown grass roots and cause disease. In some cases, additional subsurface drainage solutions may be necessary.
• Final Grade: After amendments are added, the soil is leveled and lightly compacted (often with a lawn roller) to create a firm, smooth surface. The final grade should sit about 1 inch below the top of adjacent sidewalks or driveways so the laid sod sits flush. ³

Preparing for an Artificial Turf Installation

Artificial turf preparation is more akin to a hardscaping project, focusing on creating a stable, impermeable base that ensures proper drainage and a level surface.

• Excavation: The existing topsoil and vegetation are removed to a depth of 2 to 4 inches to make room for the base materials. ^{6 7}
• Grading and Drainage: Similar to sod, the subsoil is graded to ensure water runoff. For areas with persistent moisture or heavy clay soil, a French drain or channel drain system may be installed at this stage. ^{8 9}
• Base Installation and Compaction: A layer of crushed aggregate (such as Class II road base or decomposed granite) is spread, watered, and compacted with a mechanical plate compactor. This step is crucial; a poorly compacted base will settle over time, causing dips and wrinkles in the turf. ^{1 10 11}
• Weed Barrier: A geotextile fabric is typically laid over the compacted base to suppress weed growth. Some installers may skip this for pet areas, as it can potentially trap odors. ⁶

Installation Timelines and Process

Professional crews can work efficiently to transform your yard. For an average-sized residential property in Taunton, the timeline from start to green finish is relatively short.

• Sod Installation: The entire process-from site prep to laying the fresh rolls of grass-can often be completed in just 1 to 3 days. ^{12 13} The sod provides an "instant lawn" the moment it's laid. However, it requires diligent watering for several weeks to establish strong roots into the native soil below. ¹⁴
• Artificial Turf Installation: Due to the extensive base work, this project may take slightly longer, typically 3 to 5 days for an average yard. ^{15 14} The installation involves rolling out the synthetic grass, trimming it to fit, seaming sections together with specialized tape and adhesive, and infilling the blades with silica sand or rubber granules to help the fibers stand upright.

Cost Considerations for Taunton Homeowners

The total investment for a new lawn in Taunton varies based on yard size, accessibility, soil conditions, the extent of grading needed, and the quality of materials chosen. The following ranges provide a general estimate for the area. ^{16 17}

While artificial turf has a higher upfront cost, many homeowners find the long-term savings on water bills, lawn care equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides make it a cost-effective choice over 10-15 years. Natural sod has a lower initial cost but carries ongoing maintenance expenses.

Can You DIY to Save Money?

Ambitious homeowners can take on certain tasks to help manage project costs, though this requires significant time, labor, and access to tools.

Potential DIY contributions include:

• Clearing the area of old grass, weeds, and debris.
• Renting equipment to perform rough tilling or grading.
• Ordering and transporting materials like soil amendments, base rock, or the sod/turf itself.
• Handling post-installation cleanup and waste removal. ^{3 5 6 18 19}

However, professional installation is strongly advised for most homeowners. The precision required for proper grading, soil compaction, sod laying (to avoid gaps or overlaps), and especially artificial turf seaming is critical for aesthetics, functionality, and longevity. A professional ensures proper drainage-a key concern in Massachusetts-which is difficult for a novice to achieve. ²⁰

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Project

When evaluating local providers for your turf or sod installation, look for experience with the specific product you've chosen. Ask for references and photos of completed projects similar in scope to yours. A reputable professional will conduct a thorough site evaluation, discuss your drainage concerns, provide a detailed written estimate that breaks down labor and materials, and explain the preparation and installation process clearly. They should also offer guidance on aftercare, whether it's a watering schedule for your new sod or maintenance tips for your synthetic lawn.

Frequently asked questions

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