The popularity of artificial turf has been growing in recent years as it allows homeowners to have a green, pristine-looking yard all year round without them having to do the time-consuming upkeep required by natural grass. If this sounds appealing, you can visit Forest Green Artificial Grass online shop now. 

Artificial turf vs. natural grass during summer

Natural lawns are generally high-maintenance, with many of the grass varieties even requiring weekly mowing to deter pests from settling in, prevent weeds, and keep them healthy and pristine. However, their upkeep becomes even more complicated during the summer when you need to water them deeply at least every other day to prevent brown patches.

By contrast, artificial turf does not need water to maintain its green vibrance (unless you want to lightly rinse it to remove dust, which you can do every 1-2 weeks). For this reason, it’s increasingly becoming popular in the US, especially in drought-prone areas like California, Nex Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Montana and Oregon. 

Aside from the water-saving feature, artificial turf also benefits busy homeowners, pet owners, and families with young children. Continue reading below to learn why you need to consider synthetic grass installation. 

Low-maintenance swimming pool area 

Artificial turf is an excellent ground cover around your swimming pool with its slip-free, low-maintenance surface. Plus, you don’t have to worry about muddy puddles on your lawn. (Note: You want to avoid a waterlogged backyard because even a quick ball game is enough to destroy it completely).

The roll of synthetic turf has a holed backing that is completely concealed within the strands of grass; this means the water simply drains straight through the small openings and into the aggregate base below. 

While you can directly install artificial grass on top of the soil, laying a base that promotes good drainage (like granite dust) remains the best option. Also, adding a sufficient amount of base, or at least ¾ inches of crushed rock or aggregate, creates a more even and stable surface and prevents weeds from growing and poking through the turf backing.

Water-saving feature

Did you know that the average American family uses around 320 gallons of water every day, with about a third of it going to landscape irrigation? And in dry climates, a household’s outdoor water use can reach as high as 60%, an alarming trend given that many parts of the country are experiencing longer and more severe droughts. 

Fortunately, artificial turf installation can significantly reduce a household’s outdoor water consumption, especially when it’s used together with regionally appropriate plants (usually native species) that require little water beyond the average rainfall. 

Kid- and pet-friendly turf

Some people have grass pollen allergies often manifested by stuffy and/or runny nose, asthma, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and skin rashes (hikes or welts). And according to recent studies, children and young adults are more likely to suffer from allergies than adults and seniors. 

If you or a family member has grass allergies, it doesn’t mean you have to forget about having a green turf. With today’s artificial grass that looks realistic, you can enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about skin rashes, nasal and eye symptoms, and other allergy-related symptoms. 

Aside from the hypoallergenic feature, artificial grass is also easy to clean and durable (high-quality brands can tolerate high foot traffic), making them ideal for playgrounds. You can even add overlays or paddings that absorb impact and make the turf soft and comfortable to walk on. 

Final word 

While it may seem like a daunting task, in most cases DIY artificial turf installation is not an elaborate process; this is especially true if you’ll work on a small area or you’re working on a surface that’s relatively flat (which means less prepping such as pulling out roots and eliminating the puddles).

Check out our short video tutorial on how to install artificial grass or visit Forest Green Artificial Grass if you need supplies and tools to create a stunning, low-maintenance yard.