Is Fake Grass Right For You?

While we still have several more weeks of winter, you may be starting to dream about your spring and summer lawn. Perhaps this is the year that you are considering a switch from natural grass to artificial grass in order to create that perfect landscape. If you are interested in fake grass, you are not alone. Synthetic grass for landscaping and recreation is growing 10% to 15% a year in the United States. Artificial grass is used for everything from play areas and putting greens to dog runs and personal lawns. But – is fake grass right for you?

Here are some general questions to help you determine if switching to synthetic grass makes sense for you:

• Is watering, weeding, fertilizing, and cutting your real grass too much for you to handle?
• Do you dread your summer water bills?
• Are you against using chemical fertilizers and herbicides in your yard?
• Do you prefer the look of artificial grass compared to real or natural grass?

If you answered yes to all or many of those questions, fake grass is worth a serious look. It is first helpful to understand exactly what fake grass actually is. It is usually made of nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. You can choose a synthetic grass that is created to look like the grass of your choice (such as Bermuda, Zoysia, etc). Most synthetic grass types consist of filaments threaded into a backing. This backing is what allows water to seep through. The fake grass is laid on a drainage layer (typically gravel) and connected along the perimeter. Finally, it is filled with sand or crumb rubber to weigh it down and prevent it from blowing away.

There is a money factor involved in artificial grass. The upfront investment is considerable, but it should last you about 15 to 25 years without extra maintenance costs. In general, fake grass can provide major water savings and remarkable convenience. Although you can retire your mower and weeding tools, you’ll still need to blow off leaves and debris and hose off pet waste to keep it looking its best.

To learn more about synthetic grass and determine if it is right for you, please contact Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping for help. We want your yard to be something that you truly enjoy!