As the weather and dry spells become less predictable and more areas resort to water restrictions to save water, lawn care during a drought is becoming a growing challenge. There are alternatives, such as drought-tolerant grass and underground watering systems, but even the most resilient green grass will turn brown during a prolonged dry spell.
One option growing in popularity as a method to save water on lawns during a drought is artificial grass. Artificial turf not only significantly reduces water consumption, but it also has a number of additional advantages, such as:
- Save money on water bills
- No more mowing
- No more brown patches
- Enjoy green grass all year round
Modern versions of fake grass are generations beyond the original Astroturf that felt like you were walking across pins and needles. It looks and feels natural, and it’s almost impossible to tell the difference until you get up close.
Extended bouts of dry weather, drought conditions, and water restrictions are changing how people think about artificial grass. With a combination of drought-resistant plants and synthetic grass, the landscape of drought-prone areas is changing to more water-wise gardens.
If you are ready to do your part in reducing the strain on our reservoirs and dams, keep reading to find out why you should consider fake grass as an option for keeping your lawn green while saving water.
Save Money on Water
As the water levels in reservoirs dwindle, water costs rise. It is difficult to justify wasting this limited resource on maintaining your lawn.
The average American lawn consumes fifty-five gallons of water per square foot every week, which is a lot of drinking water when supplies run low. That equates to 38,500 gallons per year for a 700-square-foot lawn.
Most municipalities will slap restrictions on watering gardens and lawns when wells start to dry up, and hefty fines await those who disregard them. The bans include all forms of watering, and even the most efficient underground irrigation systems will need to go unused during a severe, extended drought.
Homeowners who use artificial turf do not face this issue because it doesn’t require any water and will look good even after years of drought and watering restrictions. The only water your artificial grass will need is the rinsing after dealing with pet waste or spill.
If you live in a drought-ridden area and want to do your part to save water but don’t relish the idea of a dust bowl for a yard, one of the best things you can do is to check out your options in artificial grass.
No More Mowing
Weekends free from mowing is one of the most popular reasons for getting synthetic turf. The grass always looks green and is always at the perfect height, so you can get rid of the lawnmower and edge trimmer.
Mowing is only one part of lawn care because you also have fertilizing, weeding, and pest control to worry about. All these issues require resources that are not always the best for the environment and can get expensive for large expanses of grass.
No Need to Reseed
When extended drought kills your grass, wind and erosion will deplete your topsoil and the grass seeds along with it. You could ride out the dry weather, but when the rains come, you will have to re-turf your lawn, or throw down more topsoil and reseed.
After that, there is still a lot of work to get a lush green lawn. And then you’re back to mowing, weeding, fertilizing, and battling against pests. There’s also no guarantee you won’t suffer another drought.
Synthetic grass is initially more expensive than natural turf or seeds, but once it’s down, it’s good for around 15 years before you need to consider replacing it. In the meantime, you will have saved hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, and you don’t have to worry about how much rain will fall or whether you can legally water your lawn or not.
Artificial Grass is Environmentally Responsible
Artificial grass has gotten a bad rap as not being an environmentally responsible product.
Modern synthetic grass is manufactured from recycled products and easily lasts 10 to 15 years. During that time, it will consume very few resources when compared to natural turf. Using the above figures, we can calculate that a 700 square foot of natural lawn will require almost 600,000 gallons of water just to keep it green. The amount of water needed to clean an artificial lawn will be a fraction of that volume of water.
Enjoy a Perfect Lawn All Year Round
Natural grass that is water-starved even for a short time will start to discolor and go brown.
Eventually, every trace of your lawn will be gone, leaving a dusty wasteland in its wake. A dust bowl for a yard is no fun, and it won’t take long before you miss your outdoor leisure activities.
When it does rain, your backyard will quickly transform into a mud pit. Synthetic lawns let you and the kids continue to use the yard as you usually would.
More Gardening Ideas Using Artificial Grass
Some homeowners love the idea of an entire backyard covered in synthetic turf because it’s so realistic, looks great, and feels just like the real stuff underfoot. Others prefer to use it to complement a low-maintenance garden filled with plants with minimal water requirements.
More and more landscapes in areas affected by persistent droughts are switching to cacti, succulents and other drought resistant varieties. Use artificial grass to add a splash of green that is visually striking while also being water-wise.
Rather than fill the entire space with plants and flowers, try designing your landscape with an open area of synthetic turf edged with water-wise plants, paving slabs, and a covering of pebbles to lock in every trace of moisture the plants can use.
Create pathways that lead to an entertainment area where you can relax on a green oasis surrounded by shady drought-resistant trees that keep the fake grass cool.
Do you want to learn more about your artificial grass options? Get in touch today for professional advice on creating a more water-wise landscape around your home or business.