Artificial turf has been around since the 1960s. About 10-15 years ago, it started becoming more popular as the look of it improved, making synthetic lawns look more like real grass.
According to Google Trends, which tracks interest in topics and search terms, interest in the topic of artificial turf has been rising, particularly since 2020. In some locations, turf installers reported a significant rise in the purchase of synthetic turf during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
However, some of the homeowners who installed artificial turf are starting to regret it (as evidenced by this article on The Guardian). Some reports even say that artificial turf can lower a home’s value by around 5%.
So is there a good reason to tear up your artificial lawn? Or to avoid putting one down if you were thinking about it? It all depends on your point of view, and what your goals are for your yard.
The Maintenance Question
Often, people want artificial turf because they don’t want to mow grass. But while it’s true that artificial turf doesn’t grow, so you won’t need to mow it, it is not maintenance-free.
With a grass lawn, you’ll need to mow regularly during the growing season. You’ll also need to use a trimmer or edger if you want to keep the edges of the lawn neat. Plus, it’s a good idea to fertilize a couple of times a year and aerate the lawn once a year to keep it healthy, green, and growing. At times, you might need to fill in low spots, treat for disease or weeds, and replant areas where grass dies.
With artificial turf, you’ll need to use an outdoor vacuum or leaf blower to remove leaves that fall on the turf. You’ll also want to wash the lawn occasionally and go over it with a large brush to keep the artificial grass blades from matting down. You’ll also need to spot-clean if there’s pet waste or other things on the lawn that might stain or leave an odor. At times, you may need to replace or re-level infill under the artificial turf and replace damaged pieces of turf.
As you can see, there is maintenance involved in both types of lawns. It’s up to you to decide which maintenance you’d rather do, as well as weigh the other pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf
When you’re deciding whether to go with natural grass or artificial turf, there are several pros and cons to weigh. This includes pros like artificial turf can “grow” anywhere without needing sunlight, water, or fertilizer. But it also includes cons like the damaging environmental impact of removing the lawn as a habitat for beneficial animals (such as earthworms).
| Pros | Cons |
| No mowing or weeding. | Still requires regular maintenance. |
| Stays green all year. | Feels different from real grass and makes a plastic sound when you touch it. |
| Can’t die from foot traffic. | Can get too hot in the summer to comfortably walk on. |
| Doesn’t need sunlight, fertilizer, or water. | High initial expense, both for turf and professional installation |
| No more tracking mud in from the outside. | Environmentalists warn artificial turf damages the environment. |
Bottom Line
There’s no easy way to get a maintenance-free lawn. Artificial turf might cut down on some maintenance, but it’s probably only a good option in places where it’s difficult or impossible to grow grass. For example, places with deep shade, elevated decks, and extremely high-traffic areas can benefit from artificial grass or some other lawn alternative. The high expense, possible environmental impacts, and continued need for maintenance mean that artificial turf is not a perfect alternative to natural grass.
For those who really don’t want to have grass in their lawns, consider landscaping with native plants instead of using artificial turf. Since they’re already adapted to the local environment, native plants require less maintenance and water than lawn grass. They’re also environmentally friendly. If this idea intrigues you, click here to read an article on xeriscaping in Texas.
If you want to keep a lawn without needing to do much lawn maintenance, the best way is to hire a lawn care company. They can cut the grass for you, trim the edges to make sure the whole lawn looks neat, and take care of important maintenance tasks like fertilizing and aerating.
Equipment for Lawn and Turf Maintenance
Whether you’re taking care of a natural grass lawn or artificial turf, you’ll need specific equipment to make the job easier.
For artificial turf, a garden hose is an important tool for periodically cleaning the lawn. You’ll also want to brush it once a week with a hand broom or a tool like the bristle broom attachment for Stihl’s Yard Boss or Kombi Motors. You’ll also need a plastic-tine lawn rake, outdoor vacuum, or a leaf blower to get leaves and other debris off the lawn.
For growing grass, you’ll need a lawn mower to keep the grass neat and healthy. You’ll probably also want a string-line trimmer and possibly an edger to keep the edges of the lawn neat and cut grass in places the mower can’t reach. Blowers, spreaders, and sprayers are optional tools that can make maintenance tasks easier.
You can find all the tools you need to care for grass or artificial turf here at Richardson Saw and Lawnmower. We carry a good selection of mowers, trimmers, blowers, and powered brooms to help with all your yard maintenance needs. Browse our selection online or stop by in person. We’ll be happy to answer any question you have and help you find the right tools for your yard, whether you’re growing grass or native plants, or you’ve opted for a
