ITS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE FOR … NATURAL GRASS OR ARTIFICIAL GRASS
If you want to start a lawn business you have two choices – natural grass or artificial grass. Which is best? Well, that depends on practical factors such as initial and ongoing costs and the amount of maintenance required as well as personal aesthetic and sustainability preferences. Artificial grass can do everything natural grass can do, and it can do a lot of things natural grass cannot. But is it environmentally friendly?
The past few years have seen significant advancements in synthetic grass. The days when people immediately thought of miniature golf courses when they heard the term "fake grass" are long gone. Artificial grass is easily and commonly spotted in front and backyards around the nation as a result of its sharp rise in popularity.
Synthetic sports turf has advanced significantly since 1965 when the first plastic fields were first made available. Particularly inside the NFL, artificial turf fields have become more popular. Artificial turf provided durability that natural turf did not, despite its reputation among players as being harsh. A second-generation artificial turf with longer strands, a pad underneath, and sand infill was developed in the middle of the 1970s. Field Turf developed the third-generation turf quite quickly,
Third-generation artificial turf, often known as "infilled" turf, frequently starts with a selection of polyethylene fibers, including monofilament, silt-film, or a combination of the two. The fibers are tufted into a carpet and then covered in a latex or urethane mixture.
Contrarily, artificial turf requires almost any maintenance. Regular lawn rinsing helps to get rid of pet waste-related particles and potential odors. Brushing or raking the blades maintains them erect and fluffy even in high traffic areas. The grass should also be cleared of any organic debris, such as leaves, by being picked up, raked, or blown away.
Modern artificial grass variations might be difficult to tell apart from the real thing since they are so lifelike. However, there is one significant aesthetic distinction. Regardless of the time of year, the weather, or the wear, synthetic grass always has the same same height, color, and texture.
How is Natural grass different from artificial grass?
Natural grass is actual grass! t is a living, breathing plant that behaves and lives similar to any other plant. Depending on where you live and the climate there, you can choose for your lawn.
Natural grass feels colder to the touch, but enclosing your home with it can lower your summer cooling expenditures.
Natural lawns provide a lot of oxygen that is necessary for living. In the United States, turf grasses yearly remove almost 12 million tons of dust and other contaminants from the air, along with many other typical pollutants like carbon dioxide. 1,2 Dew and precipitation assist in moving impurities captured by grass blades from the air into the root zone, where dirt and dust are returned to the soil and pollutants are broken down by soil microbes.
Natural Carbon sequestration occurs when lawn grasses convert trapped carbon dioxide into a stable form of carbon that is locked into the soil layer. Carbon is stored in soil rather than released into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Lawn clippings left to decompose naturally provide nutrients and lead to other benefits. Clippings from a healthy, 1,000-square-foot Kentucky bluegrass lawn equate to about three lawn fertilizer applications over the course of a growing season. Over time, natural lawn processes increase beneficial microorganisms' activity in soils, create dark organic matter, and improve soil condition and quality.
Turf grasses that are healthy and well-maintained can act as fire retardants and firebreaks, providing significant protection during wildfires. Low-growing natural grass, such as that found in well-kept lawns, poses little risk and has a low potential for fueling fires.
One of the most significant disadvantages of a natural lawn, whether grass or ground cover, is the muddy mess that must be cleaned up after rain. Any exposed soil becomes a slick mud puddle that easily adheres to the bottoms of shoes and the fur of your pets. The grass must be extremely thick and well-established to prevent mud and muck. Even ground covers cannot remove mud and muck, though they may help to prevent soil erosion.
When you consider the cost of gasoline, equipment, equipment maintenance, fertilizer, and irrigation, maintaining a natural lawn is prohibitively expensive. Artificial turf functions more like an investment than a cost, with the total cost spread out over the life of the turf.
The continuing upkeep needed for a natural grass lawn is another aspect that many homeowners take into account. There is always work to be done to keep it in good condition, no matter the season. The numerous hours needed each week to mow, trim, and clean up the area may be used to spend time with family and friends or work on other household tasks. Natural grass requires ongoing maintenance, which can cost time and money. Many individuals try to skip this part of lawn maintenance by finding other alternatives. Since synthetic grass doesn't need to be watered, it is especially suitable for locations that are experiencing drought.
Artificial grass is not just for sports fields and landscaping. Faux grass can be used in countless ways around your house. Cover benches, swings, and other outdoor seating with artificial grass. Artificial turf is the ideal foot-friendly surface for your patio, balcony, and flat rooftop because it doesn't require water or soil.
Artificial turf can also take the place of carpets and rugs indoors! For throw rugs, it can be cut into interesting forms.
Real grass installation can be the most difficult task for those who rent their homes. It can be that there isn't enough room for a lawn, that there isn't enough space, or that installing actual grass might inadvertently cause damage. However, there may be a quick and straightforward answer to these problems with artificial grass. Artificial grass may be used anywhere from your balcony, backyard, and lawn to rooftop gardens and swimming pool decks.
If you want your lawn to look fresh and green at all times, artificial grass is one of the best options. Annual grasses have a year-long life cycle, which is followed by a new life cycle of seed production. Because the seeds take time to germinate, your garden may appear less appealing. Perennial grasses go dormant in the cooler months and take their time returning to green. However, when you choose artificial grass, there is no waiting period, and your lawn will be deep green all year.
Non-toxic artificial grasses are a generally safe option because they do not require pesticides or fertilizers. Pests can wreak havoc on the healthy growth of your lawn's grass. Pests are drawn to healthy grass and will eventually eat or nest on it. To avoid this, it is necessary to use pesticides on the grass.
Natural grass is actual grass! t is a living, breathing plant that behaves and lives like any other plant. You can choose for your lawn depending on where you live and the climate there.
Natural grass feels colder to the touch, but enclosing your home with it can lower your summer cooling expenditures.
Natural lawns provide a lot of oxygen that is necessary for living. In the United States, turf grasses yearly remove almost 12 million tons of dust and other contaminants from the air, along with many other typical pollutants like carbon dioxide. 1,2 Dew and precipitation assist in moving impurities captured by grass blades from the air into the root zone, where dirt and dust are returned to the soil and pollutants are broken down by soil microbes.
Natural Carbon sequestration occurs when lawn grasses convert trapped carbon dioxide into a stable form of carbon that is locked into the soil layer. Carbon is stored in soil rather than released into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Lawn clippings left to decompose naturally provide nutrients and lead to other benefits. Clippings from a healthy, 1,000-square-foot Kentucky bluegrass lawn equate to about three lawn fertilizer applications over the course of a growing season. Over time, natural lawn processes increase beneficial microorganisms' activity in soils, create dark organic matter, and improve soil condition and quality.
Turf grasses that are healthy and well-maintained can act as fire retardants and firebreaks, providing significant protection during wildfires. Low-growing natural grass, such as that found in well-kept lawns, poses little risk and has a low potential for fueling fires.
One of the most significant disadvantages of a natural lawn, whether grass or ground cover, is the muddy mess that must be cleaned up after rain. Any exposed soil becomes a slick mud puddle that easily adheres to the bottoms of shoes and your pets' fur. The grass must be extremely thick and well-established to prevent mud and muck. Even ground covers cannot remove mud and muck, though they may help to prevent soil erosion.
When you consider the cost of gasoline, equipment, equipment maintenance, fertilizer, and irrigation, maintaining a natural lawn is prohibitively expensive. Artificial turf functions more like an investment than a cost, with the total cost, spread out over the life of the turf.
The continuing upkeep needed for a natural grass lawn is another aspect that many homeowners take into account. There is always work to be done to keep it in good condition, no matter the season. The numerous hours needed each week to mow, trim, and clean up the area may be used to spend time with family and friends or work on other household tasks. Natural grass requires ongoing maintenance, which can cost time and money. Many individuals try to skip this part of lawn maintenance by finding other alternatives. Since synthetic grass doesn't need to be watered, it is especially suitable for locations that are experiencing drought.
Artificial grass is not just for sports fields and landscaping. Faux grass can be used in countless ways around your house. Cover benches, swings, and other outdoor seating with artificial grass. Artificial turf is the ideal foot-friendly surface for your patio, balcony, and flat rooftop because it doesn't require water or soil.
Artificial turf can also take the place of carpets and rugs indoors! For throw rugs, it can be cut into interesting forms.
Real grass installation can be the most difficult task for those who rent their homes. It can be that there isn't enough room for a lawn, that there isn't enough space, or that installing actual grass might inadvertently cause damage. However, there may be a quick and straightforward answer to these problems with artificial grass. Artificial grass may be used anywhere from your balcony, backyard, and lawn to rooftop gardens and swimming pool decks.
If you want your lawn to look fresh and green at all times, artificial grass is one of the best options. Annual grasses have a year-long life cycle, which is followed by a new life cycle of seed production. Because the seeds take time to germinate, your garden may appear less appealing. Perennial grasses go dormant in the cooler months and take their time returning to green. However, when you choose artificial grass, there is no waiting period, and your lawn will be deep green all year.
Non-toxic artificial grasses are a generally safe option because they do not require pesticides or fertilizers. Pests can wreak havoc on the healthy growth of your lawn's grass. Pests are drawn to healthy grass and will eventually eat or nest on it. To avoid this, it is necessary to use pesticides on the grass.
So, What’s Your Preference?
Natural grass is still in demand because of its capacity to purify the air, even if artificial turf offers several additional advantages over it.
Both real grass and fake grass are suitable solutions for home lawns. It's your yard, so consider the advantages and disadvantages of each to determine which is ideal for you. How much money and effort are you willing to invest over time in your lawn? What use do you have in mind for the lawn? Do you have kids or animals? How much time do you plan to spend at your home?