When preparing a playground, planning is paramount. In an area that will be frequented by children, safety, cleanliness and durability are all top concerns. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to ensure that playtime can be as safe and stress-free as possible: artificial turf.
Non-toxic, aesthetically pleasing and soft to the touch, there are countless benefits that give artificial turf the edge over other options for your playground project. Read on to learn why synthetic grass is the best possible surface for your play area.
A Play-Safe System
When it comes to your child’s playtime, their safety is most important. Fortunately, artificial turf is a much more friendly surface than any other option. Made with realistic yet incredibly soft grass blades and cushioned with a soft play pad and crumb-rubber infill, artificial turf is bouncy and soft, meaning it will prevent injuries when children play rough or fall.
Avoid Toxins and Pests
Of course, you might think that natural grass means the most healthy play area for your child, but that’s simply not the case. Real grass requires fertilizers, pesticides and other potentially dangerous products to stay fresh and green. Artificial turf is both non-toxic and surprisingly eco-friendly as it does not require the same chemicals for upkeep. Since the grass isn’t actually real, insects and other pests will simply show no interest in it.
Withstand Hard Play
Children are not exactly known for their delicate touch. With real grass, that can mean endless headaches as they tear up the lawn, make a mess and generally wreak havoc on your yard. Fortunately, artificial turf is highly durable, and your child will have a tough time destroying it when they’re horsing around.
Keep the Kiddos Clean
Real grass isn’t just a pain to upkeep. It can also cause all kinds of problems with kids. Your child might have allergies and suffer from reactions to the playing surface and lawn trimmings. Outside of allergies, all children are subject to muddy shoes and grass stains — two problems that are out of the question with artificial grass.
The Grass Is Always Greener
And here’s the best part: your playground will continue looking fresh, brand new and clean all year with little-to-no maintenance. Artificial turf can save you up to 70 percent on your water bill, as the grass only needs to be rinsed off periodically. The lawn will stay green through every season and won’t fade or stain like real grass.
Choose FieldTurf
Now that you know the pros of getting synthetic grass for your playground, we’ve got some great news: FieldTurf Landscape is one of the industry leaders in artificial turf for children’s play areas. We’re even certified by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA). Whether it’s being installed in your residential home or a shared public area, we’d love to help you perfect your artificial turf playground project.
There’s a reason people once associated artificial grass with sports. The product was in fact created for that purpose. But over the years, turf technology has advanced drastically.
As a result, artificial turf comes in many shapes and sizes, and can be used for just about any application, from commercial landscapes to residential backyards, putting greens, pool areas and pet surfaces. Modern synthetic grass looks so natural that you may have not noticed but it’s likely all around you.
Read on to learn more about how artificial lawns have grown into the product we know and love today.
The Playing Field
The roots of artificial grass can be traced back to the 1950s, when Henry and Edsel Ford’s Ford Foundation conducted a study on youth fitness. The study concluded that rural youth were in much better physical shape than those in urban areas. The reason? More access to large, grass-covered playing surfaces.
Around the same time, Monsanto’s Chemstrand Company developed a synthetic fiber carpeting that would serve as the perfect playing surface for indoor use, thus encouraging more physical activity for city kids.
Mid-Century Modern
The new playing surface had distinct elements to make it safe for use in schools: adequate foot traction, weather drainage, wear resistance, and flame resistance. Called ChemGrass, the first large-scale installation of the material took place in the Moses Brown School in Providence, RI in 1964.
One year later, the world’s first domed stadium, the Astrodome, was opened in Houston. It proved difficult to keep natural grass alive in a covered stadium, so ChemGrass was installed in the Astrodome in 1966 — and renamed Astroturf to reflect the name of the stadium. The product was an instant hit, and a patent for Astroturf was filed in 1967.
The Shaggy ‘70s
The advent of Astroturf meant the dawn of artificial turf for sporting arenas throughout the 1970s. The design was also slightly improved with the arrival of “shag turf.” Like the popular ‘70s shag carpets, shag turf had longer blades which were made of polypropylene instead of nylon fibers. This method is still used today. The fibers were in-filled with sand to stay upright.
Shag turf was softer and more aesthetically pleasing than its predecessors, but was still limiting in its uses. It couldn’t, for example, be used on soccer fields, because the sand infill did not cushion falls. It also wasn’t suitable for aesthetically pleasing home installations.
A Modern Marvel
In the mid-90s, the industry went through major upgrades that resulted in the realistic artificial grass we know and love today. The grass blades were made from multi-colored polyethylene fibers supported by crumb rubber infill. The result is incredibly realistic looking artificial grass that is soft to the touch and perfect for everything from athletic fields to residential lawns to theme parks, community centers, government buildings and just about anywhere else that has a surface.
In recent years, turf has evolved even further with advancements in drainage technology, aesthetic appeal and longstanding durability. It’s a highly adaptable product that saves millions of people the headache and hassle of regular lawn maintenance. And while the grass itself is artificial, we’re certain it will continue to grow around the world for decades to come.
FieldTurf has perfected artificial turf and synthetic grass, and the use-cases for our products are almost unlimited. Obviously, our turf is excellent for installing in putting greens. But did you know we’ve also mastered turf for tee lines and driving ranges? Yes, we continue to break new ground with innovative applications for our product. Read on to learn how you can build a golfers’ paradise.
Realistic Playing Surface
FieldTurf uses high-quality turf that has been expertly crafted to look and feel like real, professional golf grass. And that’s an important distinction. Cheap mats can hurt golfers in the long run, reinforcing bad techniques in their swing and forming memory muscles that are inaccurate on a real course.
We take realism to the next level with a state-of-the-art polymer process that closely replicates the feel of natural sod. The fibers in our lawns flex, twist and rebound like natural grass blades, and our patented crumb rubber and sand infill keeps the blades upright and realistic. All of this means your golf swing will feel exactly as it should, every time you hit the ball.
Driving the Industry
That natural look and feel has taken FieldTurf all around the world, with our turf used around the globe (including NFL stadiums, professional golf facilities, Disneyland and countless other high-traffic commercial properties).
More importantly, we know golf, and our turf reflects that. Arnold Palmer’s golf course design company has used our turf for numerous practice areas, because they trust us to deliver resilient, realistic playing surfaces.
Pure Golf
Whether you’re installing a driving range, a tee line or a putting green, we can customize your course to fit your space. Just think — you could operate an indoor driving range with low-maintenance turf while your competitors are closed for the winter. Or, if you’ve got the land, you could even install a driving range in your own home.
Our lawns are ideal for driving ranges at municipal parks, commercial centers, universities and public schools, hotels, resorts, par-3 driving ranges, tee lines and, well, just about anywhere else you may want to golf. Including your own backyard.
Low-Maintenance Lawns
No matter where you’ve installed them, our lawns practically take care of themselves. You’ll no longer need to waste money or labor hours on fertilizers, pesticides or lawn care, and the common areas of your facility or home will no longer be filled with mud or grass stains.
Further, your water bill will be drastically reduced when you eliminate the need to constantly quench a thirsty lawn.
Take the LEED
If you are running a commercial property, you know that it’s full of challenges. But when it comes to your golf area, we like to keep the challenges on the course. That’s why we’re happy to report that our commercial lawns have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years. That’s a long time to not have to worry about your driving range.
Further, our golf greens are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credit qualified, meaning it could help you obtain LEED points for your commercial golf project.
Want to learn more about how FieldTurf can transform your residential or commercial property with a putting green, driving range or golf tee? Book a consultation with one of our experts.
When contemplating a home upgrade or change to your yard, it’s tempting to think that natural sod grass is the best possible solution. Sure, we often think of “organic” as being better when researching a purchase. The fact is, there are countless benefits to choosing artificial turf for your home landscape. In fact, when weighing the pros and cons of synthetic grass vs. organic sod, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better choice than artificial turf. Aesthetically, functionally, environmentally and financially, it’s simply the best option.
Read more to learn why artificial grass is the best possible option for your home.
Even Better Than the Real Thing
In an ideal world, organic sod would look lush, beautiful and green at all times. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the reality. Yellow and brown stains can easily occur from sun bleaching, pet waste or uneven watering. And then there are the seasons to worry about as Mother Nature takes her toll on your yard. With artificial grass, however, you’ll have consistently lush, green grass year-round, no matter what climate you live in.
No Pain to Maintain
Sure, natural grass grows from the earth. But keeping it green and lush requires a near-endless amount of hard work, water and chemicals. You’ll have to weed the lawn, fertilize it, mow it and hope that you can give it enough water to keep it green. With artificial grass, maintenance is incredibly straightforward. Your yard will always look the same, and you can simply rinse it whenever you need to dispose of pet waste or other materials.
Total Drainage
You might be asking how it’s possible to “rinse” off your lawn with a hose. Well, artificial turf is typically fitted with a drainage system, which means liquid will travel right through it. That means no more mud or wet pants when you walk through the yard. It also means, as mentioned, you can just hose away any nasty pet waste or other unwanted organic waste. Best of all, if you live in a climate prone to rain or even flooding, you’ll no longer have to worry about large pools or puddles after heavy showers.
No Water Waste
Speaking of water, a natural lawn can be unquenchably thirsty. An average household’s organic sod lawn uses over 100,000 gallons of water per year. An artificial lawn can cut that amount by up to 70%, which is both an enormous cost savings and a wonderful way to conserve natural resources. When you realize you no longer need to use harsh chemicals, which can pollute water supplies, the financial and environmental cost is even lower.
Long-Lasting Lawns
So you’ve installed an organic lawn, stocked up on chemicals and equipment, and put in the hours of labor to get it looking fresh and clean. Well, if it’s a heavy foot traffic area for pets or humans, you still could be facing repairs or even a full lawn replacement within the first year. On the other hand, artificial turf is incredibly durable and can last up to 20 years. Advanced UV inhibitors protect the synthetic fibers from fading in the sun, so it will stay greener for longer. Further, artificial turf deters pets from digging and does not invite pests like insects, fleas, rabbits or gophers to build a home. As a result, it’s a long-lasting lawn solution that will keep you pleased for many, many years.
Ready to make the switch to artificial turf? Get in touch with a FieldTurf expert to discuss your property’s potential.
When you install artificial turf, you are saying goodbye to the constant hassle of yard work. But there are a handful of steps you should take to keep your synthetic grass in tip-top shape. A far cry from the weekend-ruining labor of traditional sod, these simple tasks will increase the lifespan and curb appeal of your artificial lawn.
Read on to learn the simple tasks you need to keep your artificial lawn in pristine condition for years — or even decades — to come.
Trust an expert
Turf comes in all shapes and sizes and can be used in a variety of locations, climates and terrains. Your licensed dealer is the best person to trust when it comes to yard maintenance. If you can, ask for lawn-maintenance advice during the installation. Make sure you don’t use any non-approved chemicals (like petroleum-based products) as they can damage your lawn and void your warranty. Trust the experts, and your lawn will have a long, lush life.
Rinse It Off
Having an artificial lawn means you’ll no longer need to worry about constant watering, but you shouldn’t disconnect your hose entirely. It’s a great idea to rinse off your lawn every once in a while to wash away any built up dirt or pollen. Occasional watering will also help the turf stay stable and in place.
Rake It In
Depending on where you live, there may be trees, wooded areas or gardens near your lawn. All of these things could attract debris like leaves, twigs and other unwanted items. To keep your yard free of clutter, a rake is a handy investment. However, it’s very important to steel or metal rakes, which can damage your turf. A plastic rake or even a leaf blower are the best options.
Brush It Down
Depending on the amount of foot traffic you get on your lawn, it’s also important to routinely brush it off with a synthetic bristle brush (again — avoid wire or metal, as it can damage your turf). Brushing your lawn can prevent it from dipping or flattening, and will also allow the bristles to remain upright over time.
Manage Spills
If you happen to spill something on your lawn, it’s important to act fast. For the most part, artificial turf is stain resistant. But depending on the kind of spill, you might need to do some additional work.
Household cleaning solvents like detergent or ammonia are great options for difficult stains, but you should avoid anything that includes chlorine or bleach in the ingredients. To really play it safe, you can mix natural liquid soap with water in a spray bottle. You could also make a one-to-one mix of white vinegar and water, or sprinkle baking soda on the grass to remove persistent odors. If you act fast and use the right cleansing agent, your lawn will most likely be as good as new.
Freeze Clean
It’s rare but still possible that some unwanted sticky substances could get on your lawn. If you live by a tree, it could be sap drippings. If you’ve got lots of foot traffic, it could be gum from someone’s shoes. These unique problems can be solved with a can of refrigerant which will freeze these spots and allow you to remove them with ease.
Pet Business
There are added messes that come from pet ownership. Your furry friends will love to use our turf as both a playground and a bathroom, but that could mean extra messes. To avoid lingering odors or stains, make sure to clean up after your pets immediately. You can use a pooper-scooper or a bag to remove pet waste, and you can also simply hose off the affected areas and let it all drain away.
To summarize, your artificial lawn doesn’t need the same level of maintenance as natural sod. But by removing debris, cleaning up spills and pet messes and occasionally rinsing it off, you can ensure your grass will stay greener for a long, long time.
Maintaining a lawn, especially in warmer regions, is almost like having a part-time landscaping job!
Having a natural sod lawn means Saturday mornings are full of mowing, trimming, putting down fertilizer or pesticides, watering, and more backbreaking tasks. With hours of work gone under the hot sun – it’s easy to lose sight of how much your natural lawn is costing you.
Let’s break down what exactly goes into maintaining your natural lawn and how these costs compare to installing artificial turf.
Basic Costs
One of the most significant expenses of a natural lawn is seed and maintenance products such as fertilizer and pesticides.
The average cost to seed a lawn in the USA is $991 – yet this is a midrange estimate. Additionally, those who use sod can expect to re-seed at least once a year to keep things looking fresh and lush.
In some regions, there may be local regulations on the type of fertilizers and pesticides homeowners use. Requirements like these can further increase these basic costs.
Utility Costs
A sizable cost of maintaining a natural lawn is utilities. Water, naturally, is a large portion of that.
Some types of sod need more water than others and must be watered daily. Yet, it’s complicated to do that in states like California, with much of the state under strict water use restrictions.
The average homeowner will use between 12,000 and 15,000 gallons of water per month on either a sprinkler system or irrigation system. If the average price per gallon of water is $1.50, this means homeowners can see bills ranging from $180 to $225.
Equipment Costs
Grass grows, weeds push in, and leaves settle!
Those with a natural lawn will likely have an arsenal of tools in their garage. Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, edgers, weed wackers, rakes, hoes, shovels, and spades – the list goes on!
The average cost of all of that equipment for grass is around $3,500 to purchase. Don’t forget about the additional costs of gasoline and oil too. If you live in an area that requires disposable bags for your grass clippings, you can tack on another $25 or so for the cutting season.
Artificial Grass vs. Natural Lawn
The significant price of natural grass and grass maintenance is why many people consider artificial turf as an alternative, as synthetic grass eliminates many of these accumulative expenses.
While costs vary depending on the product and size of the installation, the average nationwide cost of installing synthetic grass is approximately $4,500. However, once it’s installed, it’s pretty hands-off after!
Why Artificial Grass Is More Cost-Effective Than Natural Grass
When comparing artificial grass to a natural grass lawn, there are several key reasons why synthetic turf is the more cost-effective choice long-term:
No Mowing or Pruning Equipment Needed
With natural grass, homeowners invest in lawnmowers, edgers, trimmers, and other equipment to keep their lawns neatly manicured. This equipment requires regular maintenance, fuel, and eventual replacement. Artificial turf does not grow or need pruning, so all mowing equipment becomes unnecessary after installation. The savings on buying and maintaining lawn tools make synthetic grass the better value.
Water Usage and Utility Bills are Slashed
Natural lawns require vast amounts of watering to stay green and lush. The average lawn needs over 15,000 gallons of water monthly during peak season. Watering restrictions in many regions make it hard to properly hydrate real grass. With synthetic turf, no watering or sprinkler system is needed. This significantly reduces water bills – a major savings benefit of fake grass.
No More Fertilizer, Pesticides, or Lawn Treatments
To stay healthy, natural grass relies on regular fertilizer, weed control, pesticides, and other lawn treatments. These products are costly, time-consuming to apply, and not environmentally friendly. A high-quality synthetic lawn does not need any fertilizer, pesticides, or chemicals – ever. This eliminates a significant lawn care expense over time.
Low Maintenance Without Professionals
Caring for natural grass requires either investing time each week or hiring landscapers for upkeep. With artificial turf, homeowners can easily maintain their lawns themselves with occasional cleaning. No professional help is needed, saving homeowners money. The convenience of a low-maintenance synthetic lawn is a major perk.
Long Lasting for Over a Decade
When properly installed and cared for, artificial grass lasts an average of 10-15 years before needing replacement. Natural grass must be re-seeded and restored yearly. The long lifespan of synthetic turf saves homeowners money for years compared to continually restoring real grass.
Saves Time Weekly
Maintaining a natural lawn requires several hours per week spent mowing, watering, treating, and more. Synthetic grass needs little weekly care, freeing up homeowners’ valuable time. For busy families and professionals, the time savings of artificial turf is worthwhile.
The high upfront cost of installing artificial grass is outweighed by the money saved over years of care and upkeep. For many homeowners, the convenience and reliability of synthetic turf outweigh the look and feel of natural grass.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Artificial Grass
Several variables affect the total installation cost if you decide to switch to a synthetic lawn:
Size of the Installation Site
The overall square feet of your yard is a major cost determinant. Larger yards require more artificial grass turf rolls to cover the area. They also take more time and labor for installation. For example, a small 20′ x 20′ patio area may cost around $1,200 while a half-acre backyard could be $8,000 or more. Measure your yard carefully before getting estimates.
Type of Artificial Grass
There are different types of turf grasses and blade options. Higher-end synthetic grass using advanced technology to mimic real grass typically costs more. Budget-friendly options still look good but are less realistic. Decide how important aesthetics are to you when selecting a type of turf to balance cost versus appearance.
Additional Features
Options like adding a drainage system, decorative borders and edging, weed barrier, infill material like rubber or sand, and more raise the installation price but may be worth the investment. Determine which features would enhance your yard and obtain quotes both with and without them. For example, good drainage improves durability but could add $800 or more to the total cost.
Difficulty Level of the Installation Site
If your yard has issues like sloped areas, large rocks, or limited access points, it takes extra time and equipment to install turf. These factors increase labor fees from your turf installer. Carefully measure and assess your yard before requesting quotes so contractors understand any potential challenges.
Site Preparation
Preparing the installation site by taking out your old lawn and debris comes with fees to dispose of the waste materials. This prep work is unavoidable so account for removal and disposal costs in your budget. Proper site preparation ensures your new synthetic turf lasts.
When getting estimates, ask contractors to break down these factors that comprise your total synthetic grass cost. Knowing the details helps you budget and choose the best value for your needs.
Artificial grass is the best option for your home and family. No harmful pesticides are necessary, it doesn’t require watering or fertilizer, and synthetic grass is incredibly easy to clean. You will find the long-term benefits far outweigh installation costs. Want to learn more? Get in touch with one of our experts today!
While it’s easy to forget about the harmful effects of pesticides and herbicides, these chemicals have potentially negative consequences not just for your yard but for the environment as well.
Pesticide Problems Explained
Pesticides are, in general terms, a spray chemical that aids in the management of pests and parasites.
Pesticides are also widely used in the agriculture industry by farmers and corporations alike to help yield better crops, improve food quality, and help reduce the spread of disease.
Here’s the rub – you likely are not a farmer, and your grass likely does not need that level of pest prevention. If it does, perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative?
Homeowners will use pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers in significant quantities without thinking about the long-term effects.
A significant pain point is the spray delivery system. Not only is this easily airborne, but it’s also easily washed away after rain or watering the grass, which then seeps into the groundwater and flows into natural bodies of water – this is called runoff.
The Runoff Blues
Pesticides may aid in pest management, but there is a ripple effect. When we consider the very large pesticide runoff risk, we see that this affects other plant life, benign insects, and the health of natural waterways.
The chain reaction of pesticide runoff might go something like this: Well water used by farmers may contain toxins, the well water is consumed and used to water crops, and the crops are then sold to the public.
Pesticides have been linked to birth defects and cancer, and the United States has a long history of heavy spray usage.
With this in mind, it’s vital to be mindful of our own pesticide usage and consider other alternatives, such as artificial grass, to reduce the negative impact of pesticides on the environment.
The Solution? Artificial Turf!
If you want to find an alternative to pesticides but don’t want to sacrifice having a gorgeous lawn free of insects – artificial grass is your environmentally friendly answer! Because synthetic turf doesn’t grow and is therefore inhospitable to pests, you won’t need weed killers, herbicides, or pesticides.
Further, artificial grass has benefits aside from being environmentally friendly:
Switching to artificial turf saves you money on equipment and utility costs.
Don’t worry about allergies affecting you, your children, or your pets!
Unlike natural grass, artificial turf looks pristine all year round.
If you’re ready to make the jump to synthetic grass, get in touch with the experts at FieldTurf Landscape today!
Rain, snow, and sleet have nothing on Ultimate Pet!
Ultimate Pet is our durable, resilient, and carefully made artificial grass for dogs (or cats!), manufactured with global components right here in the United States.
Let’s dive into why Ultimate Pet is the ideal synthetic grass choice for your pets:
Superior Craftsmanship
The ultra-soft polymer yarn materials are imported from a state-of-the-art fiber extrusion plant in Germany. Once we receive the yarns, we get to work putting together the synthetic grass Stateside.
The yarn is firmly and expertly tufted onto the base by our meticulous team in Georgia. In fact, FieldTurf is a great artificial grass alternative for dogs that’s vertically integrated, which has enabled us to offer one of the best warranty in the industry.
Once yarn integration is complete, this is where our proprietary, 100% permeable MaxxFlow backing is built into the product.
MaxxFlow Technology
“Here at the Dog Psychology Center, we have a lot of land to cover, so it’s important to me that our water-conserving landscape is easy to care for, safe for our pack, and has proper drainage. EasyTurf was the best choice for us and is the best choice for your pack.” – Cesar Millan
Our proprietary MaxxFlow technology is built into the base underneath, which are essentially tunnels that not only improve water flow but help separate the turf from the ground below without requiring a weed barrier.
Our pet turf is 100% permeable. While other artificial grass may be as absorbent, most will need a separate weed barrier. Competing artificial turfs may also have a lower tuft bind rate and be manufactured with poorer quality polymer fibers.
Soft and Non-irritating
Artificial turf is soft and comfortable for your dog. You won’t have to worry about pests or dry patches from drought or decay.
Your dog can enjoy playing for hours without digging messes or unfortunate encounters with pests, harmful pesticides, or prickly weeds!
Highly Durable Artificial Turf
FieldTurf artificial grass is UV resistant, non-toxic, and fade resistant. Additionally, the precise tufting process overseen by our team ensures enhanced resilience and elasticity.
Upgrade Your Lawn To FieldTurf!
Fieldturf grass is best for your pets because:
Enhanced resilience and elasticity
Soft, fun to play on, and non-irritating!
100% permeable backing
State-of-the-art tufting and expert craftsmanship
Discourages excessive digging
Not only does artificial turf for dogs keep your house free of muddy paw prints, but your pup will love it! Learn more about our artificial turf products for pets here!
If you’ve finally made the switch to artificial turf – congratulations! Thanks to a durable blend of nylon and polyethylene, your synthetic grass can withstand a lot more wear and tear than a natural lawn. But there are still things you can do to make sure it lasts as long as possible. Your artificial turf won’t fade in the sun, for example, but it can still face heat damage from extreme temperatures, tears from sharp objects or stains from paint and other chemicals.
Using common sense and a few handy tips, you can easily ensure that your lawn stays in great shape for years or even decades. Read on to learn how to avoid damaging your newly installed artificial turf.
Grill and Chill
Fire pits and grills pose significant risks to synthetic lawns. The most obvious reason is that their sparks or burning embers can fly out and land on your lawn, causing damage to the blades. A grill usually has metal bases which can also absorb the sun’s heat and cause problems. To avoid these issues, install a concrete or stone patio to keep your grill or fire pit off the lawn.
Shade Away
If you have double-pane, energy efficient windows, you may be surprised to learn that they can damage your turf over time. The panes reflect a lot of sunlight, which can cause heat spots or fading. To prevent this from happening, find ways to shade your lawn near the windows. This could include installing an awning, setting up a picnic table with an umbrella or considering a different kind of landscape (like mulch, for example) near windows. You could even place a tent on your windows to reduce the reflection.
Declutter Your Tools
Gardening tools like hedge clippers may be necessary for your yard, but it’s important to make sure you put them back in the shed as soon as you use them. While our grass is incredibly durable, it does include a fine mesh backing that can be torn if punctured by a sharp object.
Play Safe
Gardening tools aren’t the only potentially sharp objects posing a threat to your lawn. Game accessories like volleyball net poles or croquet courts can cause major damage if carelessly jammed into your turf. Instead, consider concrete bases for your poles or switch to weighted poles which stand without being inserted into the ground. Similarly, there are flat-bottom croquet bases that can sit in the infill of your lawn instead of puncturing the mesh fabric of the turf.
Paint Zone
If you’re painting your lawn to designate lines in an outdoor game, you need to use removable chalk paint or water-based paints. Look for something that can be easily washed off after you’re done.
Further, you may have grown accustomed to working with house paint or other chemicals on your lawn for household projects. But it’s important to remember that your artificial turf doesn’t actually grow — if you spill paint on it, it has the potential to stain for good. If you must use paint in your yard, make sure you place a tarp over the lawn.
Artificial turf is incredibly durable and easy to maintain, but there are still some key steps you can take to avoid damaging your lawn. Declutter your grass, avoid using BBQs or fire pits, shade double-paned windows and avoid major spills to keep your lawn fresh and clean for years.
Synthetic turf has many benefits. We know it’s pet-friendly, environmentally friendly, and reduces allergen issues for many. However, did you know that installing artificial grass has plenty of indirect perks?
Consider this example: because artificial grass doesn’t produce pollen and reduces those pesky allergy issues – that means that you won’t need to add those trusty allergy pills to your shopping list when summer rolls around.
Let’s discuss a few more items you can scratch off your shopping list for good:
Pesticides and Fertilizer
There isn’t a single insect that would prefer the sanitary environment of artificial turf to the damp, moist confines of a natural lawn. Pesticides reduce the impact of bugs, rodents, and ticks.
Once you switch to synthetic turf, the absence of these critters means you won’t have to spend money on these harsh chemicals. This is much better for the environment and reduces the risk of pesticides seeping into your water system.
When it comes to fertilizer, your turf doesn’t grow, so you won’t need to concern yourself with picking that up at the hardware store!
Bug Spray
In that vein, once you’ve installed synthetic turf, you can save that can of bug spray for the campground – because you won’t need it when you’re enjoying your backyard!
Flea Medicine
Fleas and ticks can’t live in a yard covered with synthetic grass because they can’t nest, breed, or feed. Your dog will be more at ease – and your vet bills will be lower!
Lawnmower Expenses
Lawnmowers and their upkeep (oil, gasoline, etc.) are a significant expense – one you won’t need to worry about once you’ve installed your synthetic turf.
While we don’t suggest you throw away your current lawnmower forever, you won’t need to replace it so long as you maintain your artificial grass!
Landscaping Services and Sprinkler Systems
Properly installed artificial grass restricts weed growth, so you won’t need to call your regular landscaping company to trim unruly weeds every few weeks. This can be another large yard expense – especially in regions that don’t see cold winters!
Additionally, you won’t need to worry about regular lawn watering. Artificial turf, of course, doesn’t need much water, so you’ll see significant savings on your energy bill by reducing the number of times you turn on the sprinklers.
Bear in mind that your artificial lawn will need occasional watering, but this is only to rinse it off – it’s not required.
Final Thoughts
When you consider the cost of maintaining your synthetic grass versus your natural lawn – the choice is simple. Synthetic grass is an excellent investment for those looking to reduce outdoor chores, lessen allergy issues, and save lawn maintenance costs.
FieldTurf Landscape has you covered when it comes to high-quality, long-lasting synthetic turf. Book a consultation today!
