Photo: red mango (Shutterstock)
Keeping a pristine lawn can be a lot of work when it comes to aerating, watering, mowing, and weeding. But there are alternatives to traditional weed, such as Desert style landscaping that requires minimal attention and watering, or Rain gardens that have plants and shrubs designed to collect rainwater and filter out toxins.
Another option that is almost maintenance free is artificial turf. No pouring is required, and while some work is required to install, it is worth it in the end. That’s why you should switch to artificial turf.
Why use artificial grass?
Saving water is one reason artificial turf is good for you, your neighborhood, and the planet. That EPA reported “The average American family uses 320 gallons of water a day, about 30 percent of which is used outdoors.” Much of this outdoor water is used for lawns and gardens. When doing the calculation, the EPA found that lawn irrigation accounts for one-third of domestic water use, a total of nine billion gallons per day.
Artificial grass doesn’t change color either. If the main reason for a healthy green lawn is its vibrancy, artificial turf can easily achieve this once it is installed. It’s made to protect against color fading so it won’t fade over time.
If you’re worried about how it feels and worried that you’re missing the natural grass between your toes, there is one many styles and types choose from. You can pick the color and length, and choose between home or golf styles, all of which simulate the feel of real grass.
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Of course there are some Disadvantages of artificial grass, including the fact that synthetic grass uses petroleum and plastics that make it non-biodegradable. Artificial grass also absorbs heat and feels much hotter than natural grass.
How to lay artificial turf
Installing artificial turf in the front area is not easy – it is labor intensive, takes time and requires special equipment. If you have the means, go with professional installation. If you want to have an idea of what it is like, take a look Artificial grass storage Complete the process in their instructional video.
Before laying your artificial turf, the first thing to do is to remove all elements from the area, including grass, electrical and at a minimum four inches of the soil. Next, install a Bending board along the perimeter of the subdivided lawn to create an edge for the artificial turf to be laid.
After the border is attached, lay the base layer of “Gravel DG mix“, A mixture of sand and gravel to allow proper drainage. This layer also provides an even foundation for the lawn, so make sure it is level. Then dampen and blot the gravel mixture so that it is even and compacted. You can a. use Power tool to blot it (which you need to rent or buy) or by hand with a leveling Special rake.
This is how you lay out artificial turf
Next, lie down Weed barrier—A shift off thin cloth to prevent weeds from sticking through the lawn. Then it’s time to lay down your grass, roll it over the entire area or in sections, and then cut it to the custom fit. Try cutting an eighth of an inch too large for enough material to peg the lawn in place. Leave the lawn Sit for 30 minutes stretch in the sun. Artificial grass storage recommends cutting the lawn in half in an S shape for mobility when you have a large piece.
Nail the turf along the perimeter with nails every six inches and hammer it in three-quarters of an inch to keep the turf from pulling too tight. Then attach U-shaped nails over the joining seams to hold the two pieces together. Both types of nails are obscured by the grass and imperceptible to your eyes and feet.
After everything has been cut and laid, the final step is to apply the infill, the an antibacterial sand-like substance this helps the lawn stand upright and gives it some weight so it stays in place and feels more like real grass. Power brush the lawn so that the filling can penetrate to the ground, then spread the filling evenly with a seed spreader. Finally, run a power brush over the lawn again to make it easier to insert the filling. All of the hard work pays off in the money, water, and time you save on lawn maintenance.
