Northern Nevada backyards and gardens: Artificial turf, good or bad?

On occasion we’ve got a moist 12 months with heavy snow that appears to unravel all our water challenges. Nonetheless, the general pattern is all the time towards aridity. Even after this amazingly moist winter, water effectivity and conservation ought to nonetheless be the norm going ahead. In gentle of that, some individuals think about changing residing lawns with synthetic turf. What are the benefits and drawbacks?

The advantages of artificial turf over a pure garden appear apparent: much less water and fewer upkeep. No extra watering, mowing, fertilizing or weeding. It’s inexperienced and neat wanting all 12 months. It fills in spots the place grass gained’t develop, like within the shade or on slopes.

Nonetheless, artifical garden is expensive to put in, notably if a drainage system is required. This preliminary price could be offset over time by lowering the bills of water, fertilizers and paying landscapers. And, whereas these merchandise can final 20 or extra years, they might deteriorate extra rapidly in excessive site visitors areas and in our desert solar. If synthetic turf is eliminated, it finally ends up at a landfill and isn’t biodegradable.

Synthetic turf has no cooling impact. It will get scorching and warms the encompassing air. Consider standing on plastic mat in full solar all day. Some installations embody watering methods to maintain the fabric cooler, which reduces water-savings. One other attainable draw back is that artificial turf and the underlying pad are petroleum-based merchandise, with the pad probably made from recycled tires. Since present analysis is proscribed, we don’t understand how secure these supplies are for youngsters and pets.

In 2018, analysis that sports activities accidents elevated on synthetic turf was printed by The American Journal of Sports activities Drugs (2018. Mack, C.D., E.B. Hershman and R.W. Kent. “Larger Charges of Decrease Extremity Harm Charges on Artificial Turf In contrast with Pure Turf Amongst NFL Athletes.”

With residing grass, water soaks into the soil lowering runoff and air pollution. And, whereas synthetic turf is designed to let water via, it might not soak in as deeply. Runoff can carry contaminating chemical substances from the turf into waterways. Organisms not dwell beneath artificial turf, eliminating meals for birds, bugs and different wildlife. This lack of biodiversity is just not eco-friendly. Alternatively, the set up of a wire mesh beneath prevents mole, vole or floor squirrel harm.

Whereas there is no such thing as a mowing, there’s sweeping, vacuuming or washing surfaces to maintain them clear, in addition to raking to make the “blades” arise. Canine feces contamination is an issue. Synthetic turf can lure micro organism and should have to be handled with a biocide.

In case you are contemplating synthetic turf, chances are you’ll need to learn this text from the New York Instances.

— JoAnne Skelly is Affiliate Professor & Extension Educator, Emerita, College of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She will be reached at skellyj@unr.edu.