Artificial turf: Grass greener on other side?
Since its debut in 1966, artificial turf has been gaining ground within residential and commercial landscaping. Originally invented for indoor athletic fields that lacked the adequate sunlight needed for a natural lawn, it continues to grow in popularity of modern design.
Made from plastic polymers, the blades are sewn into a layered thatch and then infilled with a shock absorbing material like rubber or sand. Installation is similar to that of carpet; stretched flat with as little seams as possible and then secured around the perimeter. If done properly, several layers of additional material are planted underneath the turf: first a wire mesh, then 3- 4 inches of base or drain rock with about 1 inch of washed sand or granite fines over the top of that, and lastly a weed barrier. This provides proper compaction and stabilization to keep your turf area from settling or becoming uneven over time, as well as protecting against weeds or pesky rodents.
The most common mistake I see in artificial turf installations is the lack of wire mesh and base rock. Installing the turf right over bare dirt will bring you nothing but long term problems. If you’re on the fence about whether artificial grass may be the right option for your outdoor space, rake through these pros and cons.
Drawbacks
There are several drawbacks that come with choosing a faux lawn. Even though some manufacturers use recycled materials, it is still made of plastic, unbiodegradable and will eventually be retired to a landfill. Secondly, artificiall turf is very expensive compared to a real lawn, most run between $12-$15/square foot which includes base material, labor and the cost of the turf. While the initial installation costs may be alarming to your wallet, most have a lifespan of 15-20 years, so if you can handle the upfront
expense, the ROI is certainly there. Another disadvantage is that during hot days, the sun can heat up these plastic blankets to a scorching degree. Be conscious of areas that get constant, direct sunlight in the summer, especially if children or pets frequent these spots. More technology is coming out to keep turf cool in the summer months, but alternatively you can spray it with a hose to help cool it down. Though it is semi-permeable, artificial lawns won’t absorb animal waste like a natural grass and will require additional maintenance for debris and odors. While it doesn’t demand the traditional upkeep of a lawn, it will need to be regularly swept and sprayed down with a disinfectant to stay clean and sanitary. Innovation has also advanced in this area and newer turf options available have odor-wicking technology to help with this.
Positives
So, what makes this imitation sod desirable? One major attraction is how much water it saves. A natural lawn needs approximately 62 gallons per week of hydration for every 10×10 foot area. Over the course of 15 years, that’s a colossal amount of water conserved and maintenance time saved. Your average homeowner’s lawn is around
750 square feet, so over 15 years that equates to about 375,000 gallons of water. Besides its lack of thirst, synthetic lawns don’t require mowing, weeding or fertilizing, heavily freeing up your Saturday mornings.
The absence of harmful fertilizers is another eco-friendly tradeoff of fabricated lawns, but many argue that its plastic composition is just as bad for the environment. If you’ve battled against resilient rodents like gophers in your yard, you understand how valuable finding a solution to their never-ending hole digging can be. The wire mesh and weed barriers below will stop gophers abruptly in their tracks. Many people, and even pets, can be allergic to real grass so avoiding itchy outbreaks is another added bonus. Unlike a natural turf, artificial grass does not sit upon a bed of dirt, so pets and children won’t be tracking in mud and soot indoors. Many field-sport athletes have confessed they prefer playing on artificial turf over real lawn since the surface is more predictable and tackier.
Artificial grass is available in a variety of colors, textures and lengths, most of which will fool the average eye into believing its real. A final selling point? No matter the season or climate you live in, it always looks good and green, adding consistent value for both commercial and residential curb appeal.
If you’re not sure where you stand on artificial turf, consider a hybrid option for your landscaping. Keep a living lawn in desired areas where pets or children spend time and install artificial grass in portions of lower foot traffic like side yards. The decision to go fake may be more complex than what meets the eye, but just remember the grass really stays greener on the artificial side!
Justin White is the CEO of K&D Landscaping, headquartered in Watsonville, CA and awarded “2020 Business of the Year” by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce. White is also the current President of the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) local chapter on the central coast. He is involved with several, non-profit organizations throughout the community and sits on the board of the Santa Cruz Business Council. For more information on landscaping, outdoor and garden needs, contact K&D Landscaping at kndlandscaping.com.