Artificial Grasses Save Time, Water AND Energy For Residents

Courtesy of North County Times
Written by Jessica Musicar
AstroLawn®: www.astrolawn.com
August 25, 2005

Every time Pamela Arnold looks out at her perfect green yard, she feels a certain sense of satisfaction. Perfectly even and ever-verdant, her lawn never requires mowing or fertilizer, and except for the occasional hosing, it needs no water.

Sounds too good to be grass? That's because it isn't.

Arnold's 9,000-square-foot yard is covered by a synthetic lawn created and installed by Turf Technologies Inc., an artificial turf company in Escondido.

Looking for an alternative to water-guzzling grass, the Arnolds stumbled upon the notion of artificial turf after 15 years of trying other ground covers and since have had about nine months of perfection.

"Primarily, I was tired of looking at ugliness, but I could not justify putting in that much real turf and watering it when there is not much water to go around," Arnold said.

"It looks like real grass, it feels like real grass you have to look at it closely to really notice that it's not real. "To me it's a wonderful investment."

Other customers like Arnold, who want green lawns without hassle, have a choice of businesses and products in the North County area to help them make that happen. Items include lawn paint, synthetic grass and Drivable Grass, a system that uses concrete blocks over a flexible grid surrounded by real grass, which allows it to support weight without harming the living ground covering.

Other synthetic-turf vendors are Easy Turf in Escondido and S.D. Grass in Vista.

David Willis, president and founder of Turf Technologies Inc., said residential customers make up the majority of his client base, but when he started the business in 2002, it primarily served commercial and civic customers.

Originally putting in synthetic fields for universities, tot lots for schools, and greens for city facilities, the company still caters to these customers but lays about 70 percent more turf at clients' homes.

"There is enough turf on the ground, there is enough validity in the market place, that sales have become very easy," Willis said. "It's a great product. It's great for dogs, it's great for kids, you don't have to water it on the weekends."

His most popular turf is TurfTech Super, a synthetic grass made of polyethylene monofilament fibers. The TurfTech Super is a bit more expensive than the company's other products, at $7.85 per square foot with installation.

"I don't think it's better than a perfect grass lawn, (but) the reality of the situation is you don't have to water it, you don't have to fertilize it and it's certainly more durable," Willis said. "Everybody is different, but I think people are tired of watering their lawns."

Turf Technologies products include a rubber infill made of recycled tires that has the look of black dirt. The infill gives the turf extra bounce for sports fields and play grounds.

Alex Josic, a sales representative for S.D. Grass Inc., said his company's products, like other synthetic grasses on the market, need little to no maintenance, conserve water by not needing any and are safe for animals and children. Another benefit of artificial grass, whether at a home or a sports field, is that it can be used almost immediately after a rain shower without harm.

S.D. Grass offers 10 varieties of synthetic turf that can be used for putting greens, tot lots and dog kennels as well as other residential and commercial applications. It does not use a rubber infill as Turf Technologies does. S.D. Grass products are made of nylon or polyethylene microfilament, depending on the application, Josic said.

Every type of S.D. Grass is treated with UV stabilizers, which gives the lawn a life span of up to 25 years. "It's a one-time investment that gives you back your time and money," Josic said.

Paul Freestone, director of resources for the Vallecitos Water District, said landscape watering typically makes up about 50 percent of a household's water bill. During summer months, it can rise to 80 percent depending on the user's location. To save water, Freestone said, artificial turf can be a attractive alternative to grass.

"If it's just for looks, there no reason (not) to do it," Freestone said. "It's not for everyone, but there is a good case for synthetic turf."

The Vallecitos Water District covers the community of Lake San Marcos, San Marcos, as well as areas in Escondido, La Costa and the North Twin Oaks area.

Drivable Grass, a pavement system created by Carlsbad-based Soil Retention Products, Inc., involves the use of real grass for driveways, golf course paths, and other areas that must bear the weight of automobiles or other large items. Grass grows between small cement blocks, which make up the grid. The concrete protects the grass roots as a vehicle rolls over the raised pavement system.

Jan Erik Jansson, founder and president of Soil Retention Products, said Drivable Grass was created about six months ago and will be carried by Home Depot stores.

More attractive than plain concrete paths or driveways, he said, Drivable Grass can be used in vehicle access lanes, overflow parking areas and recreational vehicle parking without the fear of wheel rutting. The product also absorbs rain, unlike blacktops and other hard surfaces, he said.