The Grass Really is Greener

There’s an old cliché, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence” that is usually referenced as a caution against being dissatisfied with your own life or situation. The idea is that from where we’re standing, things may look better somewhere else, or for someone else. However, when it comes to landscaping, the cliché is can be literally true! One of the growing landscaping trends is the use of artificial turf or synthetic grass. When people first hear about artificial turf, they naturally envision the carpet-like “fake grass” found on miniature golf courses in vacation areas, or the always-green grass on sports fields at the local college. However, artificial turf comes in many shapes, lengths, textures and colors, and is a popular choice with homeowners. If you want to have the greenest grass around, without watering; without mowing; and without fertilizing, artificial turf may be right for you! Here are some of the most frequent questions we get from homeowners considering an evergreen yard. Does it cost more than natural grass? Yes, and no. Artificial turf will cost more up front than seeding a yard or overseeding an existing lawn. However, when homeowners factor in the costs of irrigation systems or watering, regular fertilizing, aerating, mowing (equipment, time or paying a service), weeding and other lawn maintenance needs, investing in artificial turf is surprisingly comparable to natural grass. Does it feel different? Yes, artificial turf does feel different. How different depends on the manufacturer and quality. In most cases, walking on a well-installed artificial lawn will feel like walking on a really lush patch of grass – almost like there is a bit of a cushion under each step. Our customers tell us they love how it feels, and kids really love playing on it, even in the winter – there’s no mud, no grass stains and no bare patches. Will it look like my old lawn? No. It will look better. And it will keep looking better, year-round, while natural grass lawns fade during the winter and develop yellow or bald patches from pets and shade. Should everyone get a synthetic lawn? No, it’s not right for everyone, and unlike a natural lawn, the expense is up-front. Depending on the size of your yard, a professionally installed artificial turf lawn can be an investment in your home and property. By comparison, a natural lawn’s expense is spread out over multiple years of maintenance and time.

What if I have more questions? This one is simple! Give us a call, and if it makes sense, we can schedule an appointment to review your current lawn, talk about your overall landscaping goals and come up with a plan to beautify your property! Get in touch today, at 757-412-1265 or email us at dreamscapedesigners@gmail.com