Core77

Shockingly Convincing Plastic Lawn Alternatives

I hate how good these look

By Rain Noe - August 11, 2022

in Object Culture

Something I never had to deal with in the city: Mowing the lawn. Here on the farm I'm responsible for keeping multiple acres of grass cut. It's time-consuming, the machinery is eye-wateringly expensive and it's hard on the body; after just an hour on the zero-turn, my fingers are numb and tingly, like I've been using a palm sander all day.

While I'd never consider this as an option, there are plastic lawn alternatives, and I'm surprised at how good they look in a residential setting. This company manufactures, sells and installs artificial turf that people have replaced their yards with.

The backing they use is designed for drainage.

The overall effect is pretty convincing.

In addition to lawns, residential customers use them for dog runs…

…bocce courts…

…and of course, backyard putting greens.

I wouldn't use this stuff on our property, for fear of what it would do to the soil beneath it, but the company points out that it makes good sense in a desert environment, like Los Angeles, where droughts are a problem. In fact, parts of southern California offer artificial grass rebate programs where they'll help subsidize a plastic lawn. It's fitting for the land that gave us Hollywood.

o

Favorite This
Q
2

Comment

Comments

Scott Carpenter

2 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Can you imagine the micro plastics being shed from this?

!Report as spam
- Camilla McDonald
  
  Scott Carpenter
  
  2 years ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  Reply
  
  Artificial grass sheds micro plastics like it’s a full time job! And they are contribute to heat islands rather than offering the cooling effects of real grass.
  I get the aesthetic appeal of a lawn but would love to see non-turf ground covers become the norm in places without heaps of water
  
  !Report as spam