Synthetic Turf: Pros and Cons

A healthy green lawn can be difficult to achieve and maintain, especially in areas with water restrictions or poor soil. Artificial grass is a great option for homeowners who still want the look of a lawn but without the hassle and maintenance. You can lay your own patch of artificial grass just like you’d put in sod, but without using any water.

There are professional artificial grass installers who will do a complete landscape job on your lawn, but if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty this is a DIY project that anyone can handle. Home Depot has a variety of artificial grass ranging from $2.25 to $51 per square foot. It’s always best to go in store and touch and feel the grass, as well as compare the different color shades, so you know exactly what you are getting.

Remove Your Old Lawn
If you are removing a healthy lawn, rent a sod cutter, so you can relocate your lawn to someone else who can use it. If your lawn is in poor condition and beyond saving, you’ll still need to remove the clumps of grass and level the area.

You’ll need a good shovel, wheelbarrow, and gloves for this job. Plus some large organic waste bins to dump your old lawn into. If you’ve got a sprinkler system installed, you can decide if you want to pull it up or just leave it. It’s probably best to just pull the exposed sprinkler heads to help even out the ground, and if you or a new homeowner ever wants to install grass again, you can just re-attach the heads.

Install the Artificial Lawn
There are a few steps involved before laying your artificial turf. Some of these are optional, but it’s always best to check with your artificial lawn manufacturer. It’s not difficult to pull up the lawn and try again if you mess something up, but it’s always best to do the job right the first time.

If weeds are a concern you can lay a weed control landscape fabric, which will prevent weeds from growing up and through your lawn creating bumps and discoloring the lawn. If you are having problems with getting the ground level, you can put down a layer of sand or crushed stone, just make sure you use a roller or tamper to smooth out the surface.

Once you’ve got a level surface, you can install an underlayment which will provide a permeable cushioning for your artificial lawn. Some lawns don’t require this, as the grass is already attached to a solid and soft base.