Installing artificial turf at your residential or commercial location can help you save money while improving the look of your lawn. Artificial turf also eliminates the need for you to water or mow the lawn, and you won’t have to reseed the lawn either. However, artificial grass does require a significant investment, and there are some maintenance tips you’ll need to adhere to if you want your lawn to look its best.
Keep in mind that artificial turf doesn’t require as much care and regular upkeep as natural grass. However, regular grooming will make your artificial lawn look better and keep it looking natural. Taking care of your artificial grass will help you make a great return on your investment; the better the artificial grass looks, the longer it will be before you have to replace it.
Get the Equipment You Need
You will still need tools to keep the lawn looking healthy and lush, even when the grass isn’t real. You can throw away your lawn mower, but you still need a leaf blower, hose and rake to get rid of stray grass and to make the lawn look healthier. It’s also a good idea to keep a stiff brush handy, so you can effortlessly remove debris from the turf. These tools are usually pretty affordable, so if you don’t already have these in your garden supply, it won’t cost much to purchase them.
Sweep Lightly
Soon after your artificial turf is installed, you’ll probably see sand on the grass. This is perfectly normal, but you’ll need to sweep the turf lightly so that the sand will fall into the infill. This will also improve the texture of the lawn.
Clean the Turf
Dirt and debris can easily settle on the artificial turf, which can alter the look of your lawn significantly. This is why you’ll need to clean the turf on a regular basis. A garden vacuum or lawn sweeper is convenient for this task, and you can also use a leaf blower for larger loose leaves and dirt around the perimeter of your lawn.
Care for Your Lawn as Needed
It is recommended that you tend to your artificial turf once every three months or so. However, if you have children who play on the turf often, or pets that use your lawn, it may be necessary to clean the turf more often. If your pet has an accident on the turf or food or drink is spilt on your lawn, be sure to clean up these messes immediately to avoid permanent damage.
Brush the Turf
Natural grass blades stand up straight, and you will want your artificial grass looking the same way. Remember that even the toughest blades of artificial grass will eventually bend, but the way to keep the lawn looking natural is to brush the turf on a regular basis. A stiff brush is best for this, and the bristles on the brush should be about 5 inches long. Don’t use metal bristles, since this can damage your grass blades. Brush firmly, but don’t apply too much pressure, since this can cause the lawn to be uneven.
If the artificial turf covers a large area, you may not be able to brush the grass regularly. If this is the case, do your best to brush over the areas that receive the most traffic so that your lawn will look natural and well kept. If you notice that some blades of grass are bending, add a little infill to the lawn and spread it with the brush.
Rinse the Lawn
Artificial turf can safely be rinsed with water when you need to get rid of debris and dirt that is hard to remove. You can also use a gentle detergent on dirt spots, then rinse the spot with water. Mineral spirits are best for stubborn stains that come from motor oil, grease or sunscreen.
Keep Lawn Odors Away
While a bad stench in your lawn won’t affect the look of the turf, you obviously can’t allow the grass to smell unpleasant. If urine or excrement from your pet is causing an unpleasant scent, use an enzyme cleaner to get rid of the smell and stains. It’s also a good idea to hose down the area with a water and vinegar mix.
Use a Weedicide
Weeds can grow even after you’ve installed your artificial turf. Don’t wait for the weeds to sprout through the turf, where they can cause more damage. Treat your turf with weedicides every few months, depending on the type of weeds that grow in your area and how fast they have the potential to take over your turf.
Heat Is OK
If you live in a sunny area that gets very warm in the spring and summer, don’t worry about the sun ruining your lawn. Heat does not affect artificial grass, so your lawn won’t appear dry or change colors after being exposed to the sun. However, you can hose your lawn to cool down the grass blades if you want to be extra sure that your turf will look its best in warm weather. Watering the lawn is also a great idea if you plan on walking on the turf without shoes.
It’s important to be aware that the cost of installing artificial turf can initially be high. This is especially true if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover. However, synthetic turf is a sound investment if you want to make sure your lawn always looks its best, and don’t have all the time or tools it will take to tend to a natural lawn.
Artificial lawns do need care, but most of the steps for maintenance are easy to follow. If you use the right tools and materials to keep your lawn looking great, the turf will remain intact for many years to come, which will make your initial investment well worth it.