make sure theres no weeds, stones or weed killers insect killers anything like that. then maksure it's moist and over turned but even. KEEP IT ROLLED and lay in one direction not diagonal because it's very hard, horizontal or vertical then place the end of the roll at the end of your garden then roll it out in a straight line along the edge (assuming the bottom and edge are at a 90 degrees angle) you ca use as many rolls as you need on one strip but keep the spare to start the next strip (use a plaster knife ) when it's layed neeten it up by cutting around edges. if your garden isn't at 90 deegrees then use scraps to make it look good water at nite time .