As water conservation becomes increasingly important in our state and region, many homeowners are wondering if they should replace their existing lawns with artificial or synthetic turf. The promise of less watering and maintenance can appeal to busy families and homeowners with physical limitations.
While there is no right answer for everyone, here are some considerations to include in your decision-making process.
Potential Benefits of Synthetic Turf
- No mowing, fertilizing, aeration, or regular watering required.
- Increased traffic tolerance during winter when natural grass is dormant.
- Newer products have a more natural appearance.
Potential Limitations of Synthetic Turf
- High installation cost compared to traditional lawns.
- Periodic cleaning required, which uses water.
- Can be a very hot playing surface in midsummer compared to live grass.
- Rainfall and snowmelt don’t soak into the ground, creating more stormwater runoff.
- If installed under mature trees, can prevent their roots from getting enough water and cause decline.
- Doesn’t store carbon in the ground like the roots of real grass.
- Potential chemical exposure. Learn more about the health and environmental impacts.
- Limited lifespan; may need to be replaced after 10 or more years.
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of synthetic turf when making a decision for your own yard. While synthetic turf doesn’t require any irrigation, some of its limitations can be problematic especially for large areas of home landscapes.
If synthetic turf and a traditional lawn don’t fit your needs and desires, what are other landscape options work well in the Pikes Peak Region? Here are water-wise landscape options to think about.
- Outdoor living areas like patios, decks, outdoor dining or relaxation areas, and play structures don’t require water. Making these spaces decent-sized can result in more usable space, higher property value and less yard to water.
- Native grasses like buffalograss and blue grama grass use only one-third of the water of a traditional lawn, and require less maintenance, while offering the environmental benefits of live plants. Native grass is also significantly cooler than synthetic turf. Low-water grasses are best suited to low-traffic areas like front yards and peripheral areas.
- A no-grass landscape with trees, shrubs, flowers and drip irrigation can be a great option for homeowners wanting less yard work and lower water use. Be sure to break up the space with retaining walls, dry streambeds, pathways and other hardscape features to make the design more pleasing. See examples in our landscape gallery.
If you have a large yard, consider implementing all three of these options in different zones. Including a small area of traditional lawn in flat sunny areas can also be part of a sustainable landscape. Be sure to use high-efficiency sprinkler equipment for traditional lawn areas and take advantage of our rebates.
To learn more about water-wise landscaping options, check out our Demonstration Gardens, recorded webinars, or plant database.