Justin White, Landscaping Class│Artificial Turf: Is the grass on the other side really greener? – Santa Cruz Sentinel

2021-12-13 22:48:00 By : Ms. Abby Lin

Since its debut in 1966, artificial turf has been occupying a place in residential and commercial landscapes. It was originally invented for indoor sports fields lacking the sufficient sunlight required by natural lawns, and it is becoming more and more popular in modern designs.

The blade is made of plastic polymer, sewn into layered thatch, and then filled with shock-absorbing materials such as rubber or sand. The installation method is similar to carpet; stretch it as flat as possible, with as few seams as possible, and then fix it on the periphery. If done properly, plant a few additional layers of material under the turf: first, wire mesh, then 3-4 inches of bottom or drainage rock, with about 1 inch of washed sand or fine granite powder, and finally miscellaneous Grass barrier. This provides proper compaction and stability to prevent your turf area from settling or becoming uneven over time, and to prevent weeds or pesky rodents.

The most common mistakes I see in the installation of artificial turf are the lack of wire mesh and foundation stones. Installing the turf directly on the bare soil will only cause you long-term problems. If you are skeptical about whether artificial grass is suitable for outdoor space choices, please carefully understand these advantages and disadvantages.

There are several disadvantages to choosing an artificial turf. Although some manufacturers use recycled materials, it is still made of plastic, non-biodegradable, and will eventually be discarded in landfills. Secondly, compared with real turf, artificial turf is very expensive, most of the price is between 12-15 US dollars / square foot, which includes basic materials, labor and turf costs. Although the initial installation cost may shock your wallet, most have a lifespan of 15-20 years, so if you can handle the upfront costs, the return on investment is definitely there. Another disadvantage is that on hot days, the sun will heat these plastic blankets to a scorching degree. Please pay attention to areas that are constantly exposed to direct sunlight in summer, especially if children or pets frequent these areas. More technologies are coming out to keep the lawn cool in the summer, but you can also spray with a hose to help cool it down. Although it is semi-permeable, artificial turf does not absorb animal waste like natural grass, and requires additional maintenance to remove debris and odors. Although it does not require traditional lawn maintenance, it needs to be cleaned regularly and sprayed with disinfectants to keep it clean and hygienic. Innovations in this area have also made progress, and the available new turf options have deodorizing technology to help solve this problem.

So, what makes this imitation turf popular? A major attraction is how much water it saves. For every 10 x 10 feet of area, natural turf requires approximately 62 gallons of hydration per week. In 15 years, a lot of water resources have been saved and maintenance time has been saved. Your average homeowner’s lawn is approximately 750 square feet, so over 15 years is equivalent to approximately 375,000 gallons of water. In addition to not being thirsty, synthetic lawns do not require mowing, weeding, or fertilization, allowing you to free up plenty of time on Saturday morning.

Not using harmful fertilizers is another eco-friendly trade-off for artificial turf, but many people believe that its plastic content is equally harmful to the environment. If you fight against resilient rodents like gophers in your yard, you will understand how valuable it is to find solutions for their endless burrows. The barbed wire and weed barrier below will suddenly stop the gophers in their tracks. Many people, even pets, may be allergic to real grass, so avoiding itching is another added benefit. Unlike natural turf, artificial grass will not be spread on the mud, so pets and children will not be tracked in the mud and soot indoors. Many track and field athletes admit that they prefer to play on artificial turf instead of real turf, because the surface is more predictable and stickier.

Artificial grass is available in a variety of colors, textures and lengths, most of which will deceive ordinary people into believing it is real. The ultimate selling point? Regardless of the season or climate you live in, it always looks good and green, adding consistent value to commercial and residential curb appeal.

If you are not sure where you are on the artificial turf, consider choosing a hybrid option for your landscape. Keep a live lawn in the area where pets or children spend time, and install artificial grass in areas with low traffic (such as side yards). The decision to pretend may be more complicated than what the eyes can see, but remember that artificial grass will really be greener!

Justin White is the Chief Executive Officer of K&D Landscaping, headquartered in Watsonville, California, and was awarded the title of “Company of the Year 2020” by the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce. White is also the current chairman of the Central Coast Local Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). He is involved in multiple non-profit organizations throughout the community and is a board member of the Santa Cruz Business Council. For more information on landscaping, outdoor and garden needs, please contact K&D Landscaping at kndlandscaping.com.

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