Just Say Not To Artificial Turf

Although an even carpet of emerald green lawn seems like an appealing and simple solution to create a “place to be”. Unfortunately, lawns are also thirsty, high maintenance, and require a lot of chemicals to look their best.  Some homeowners may choose to substitute their grass with artificial turf—believing it to be a comparable, water-wise alternative—but this is not the ecologically-friendly option it appears to be at first glance.  

Artificial turf is made from polyethylene, a petroleum-based plastic that is neither biodegradable, nor recyclable.  With a life span averaging 10 to 15 years, artificial turf puts a considerable weight on our shrinking fossil fuel reserves and on the landfill that it is destined for.  Because artificial turf surrounds outdoor spaces with plastic rather than plant material, it also blocks the natural process of carbon sequestration from the atmosphere. This problem of accumulating greenhouse gasses is then compounded, as the dark polyethylene absorbs sunlight. On the average day, an artificial turf field can heat up from 80°F to a scorching 130°F.

So then, what would be a better substitute for turf that can also have a beneficial impact on the environment? Depending on your needs, low-water ground covers, hardscaping, and native grasses are all attractive alternatives to lawns that can be both functional and eco-friendly.

First off what are your trying to get out of your lawn.  If you are looking for a space hang out?  Or are you looking for something attractive to take up space in your yard or garden. There are many options other that lawn to create hang out spaces and create an attractive space.  Lets look at hardscaping: flagstone, pavers, brick, gravel, or DG and decking can be can create low maintenance spaces to recreate on.   Properly placed hardscape integrated with thoughtful plantings can create a  lush and inviting space.

This ring of decomposed granite ( DG) is providing a nice space to relax

If you prefer the traditional look of green grass for your home, there are several drought tolerant groundcovers to choose from.  For example, Kurapia is ideal for areas with extreme weather, heavy slopes, irregular watering, irregular pH, or heavy foot traffic.  It is a drought tolerant plant that can be mowed like a turf or allowed to bloom into a lush groundcover.  Alternatively, for a space that won’t endure quite as heavy foot traffic, Creeping Thyme could be a good choice as it is an aromatic groundcover that also attracts butterflies.  Another option could be a field of Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae), which can be paired with a few Arizona flagstone pavers for a classic Mediterranean garden style.

Above: Kurapia working to stabilize a slope, and providing bees and butterflies with forage

Below: Silver Carpet (Dymondia margaretae)

Another option, is creating a meadow.  By using a combination several non-mow native grasses and intermixing wild flowers we can create a low growing, walkable ground cover that simulates natural grass lands.  A meadow is composed of plants that have historically grown in an area, and are thus adapted to that region’s specific climate.  For California, this type of landscape would model itself from the coastal prairies or foothill grasslands, which are ecologically important for animal mating, nesting, food gathering, pollinating, and shelter.  Native grasses such as California Filed Sedge (Carex pragracilis), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis) and Thingrass (Agrostis pallens) are attractive in your yard and provide a safe place to play for your pets and kids as well as the birds and butterflies.  

Lovely meadow plantings traveling up a hillside

A collection on native and drought tolerant grasses at one of my favorite nurseries

Lastly, if you absolutely have to use grass, there are some choices that can help lower the amount of water required to keep your turf looking healthy, especially during the hot summers.  You can reduce the amount of space your lawn takes up by bringing in the borders of the yard using drought tolerant shrubs or hardscapes.  It is also important to check that your irrigation system is efficient.  Try using the MP Rotator sprinkler heads, which expel larger drops of water that won’t blow away in the wind.  These sprinkler heads rotate at a speed that allows enough time for the water to sink into the grass and prevents excess run-off. Then is you top seed to lawn with White Clover (Trifolium repens) which is a nitrogen fixer you can keep you lawn greener with less fertilizer.  English Daisy (Bellis perennis) is another great plant to top seed a lawn.  Its green leaves fill in lawn space with an almost green almost indistinguishable from the green of turf grass.  By adding bio diversity lawn space can become more resilience.  The added benefit being the sweet and delicate little flowers perfect for making daisy chains

White Clover (Trifolium repens) and English Daisy (Bellis perennis) peaking out of a lawn

Just remember say no to artificial turf. There are a lot of options that are just as attractive and more environmentally friendly.