Is Turf Grass Hard to Maintain?
So, you have finally taken the plunge and invested in artificial turf grass. And now you are wondering, what comes next?
Turf grass is an excellent option for businesses and homeowners looking to brighten up their lawn with a clean, fresh look without the hassle of extensive maintenance. Although turf has been dubbed ‘instant-lawn,’ it does require some maintenance to keep it healthy and in pristine condition.
The information below will look at some of the maintenance tips you should follow to ensure beautiful and steady turf grass all year round. Luckily, it is a do-it-yourself (DIY) process you can handle every other weekend.
Brush it off
Artificial grass is laid with sand infills that give the turf the necessary weight to remain fixated on the ground while giving it the structure required to create filaments that resemble an organic grass lawn. Daily wear, weather, and foot traffic can mat down the filaments with time, giving your lawn a flat, one-dimensional structure.
To maintain its structure, you have to provide regular repositioning of the blades and landfills. You can achieve this with a large natural bristle broom for small areas. However, professional brushes are more suitable for homeowners with expansive turf areas.
After the technician lays the turf, wait for at least 8-12 weeks before brushing to allow the turf and sand to settle correctly. Once settled, you can start brushing about once a month to preserve the blades in an upright position. Ensure that you brush it in different directions and angles to achieve a perky and lush lawn.
While brushing may seem like light work, it makes a noticeable difference in the condition and appearance of your lawn. So do not skip this step.
Remove stain
Your turf grass will need efficient stain management between pets, children, and the elements. Unlike natural grass, where oil, pet, and food stains would ultimately grow out or be mown away, stains and spills in artificial grass need resolving to ensure your turf’s quality look and feel.
Cleaning and maintenance are relatively simple for mild stains, such as alcoholic beverage spillage, tea, coffee, urine, and other daily substances. You will have to:
- Be quick. Cleaning a spill swiftly is the perfect way to ensure it does not leave a lasting stain.
- Rinse the section using mild household detergent and water to avoid harming the fibers.
- Blot up the spilled liquid with a dry absorbent, such as kitty litter or a towel.
- Meticulously rinse the cleaner with cool, clean water.
- If you want a stronger stain remover, use a 3% ammonia solution in water instead of a household detergent.
The approach is different for stubborn stains like cooking oil, pen ink, crayon, oil, and grease. These stains are more challenging to clean than the stains mentioned above. If these stains fail to respond to household detergents or ammonia mixture, consider using a mineral spirit to remove the stain, cleaning as you would a mild stain.
Control weed and debris
Many people transition from natural lawns to turf lawns due to their regular demand for weeding. Unwanted weeds are limited in turf grass due to the film backing on rolls that allow water drainage. While backing is efficient at suppressing the growth of anything beneath the surface of your turf, some few weeds may eventually come through.
You cannot dig through turf grass with a fork or trowel, unlike weeding natural grass. Pulling out weeds by hand is not an option either. You risk uprooting everything and ruining your entire lawn.
Instead, applying a weed killer is ideal for taking care of unwanted weeds and ensuring they never resurface. Make sure to use a water-based herbicide to avoid damaging the artificial turf. You can go online to find the best options for turf.
Once the weeds are dead, you can either remove them from the lawn by hand or brush them off. You should regularly remove organic debris such as dead plants and leaves to evade clogging the drainage system. Clogging this system can promote weed growth, so do everything to prevent this.
Remove high-traffic patches
The more you use an artificial lawn, the more you notice high-traffic areas. These are where your family and visitors often step on when walking on or using the lawn.
Sometimes, it is even a pathway your pet travels along the fence line. If you notice these areas, moderate wear and tear in such places without sacrificing the entire aesthetic of your lawn for these sectors.
Seeking professional help is important in ensuring faster and easy replacement of high-traffic areas to give your yard a brand-new look again.
Right equipment
To routinely maintain your grass, you will need a few tools. First, you need to purchase a long enough hose for rinsing the grass at will. But if your area receives rain often, you can skip the hose for now.
A leaf blower or lawn vacuum also comes in handy to eliminate fallen leaves before they stick on your turf grass. Lastly, you will need a rake to keep the grass fibers unmated.
Seasonal maintenance
Maintenance practices like brushing may take place once a month. But other maintenance practices ought to be conducted within certain seasons. For instance, it would be best to leave affected areas to melt naturally during heavy snowfall. Removing compressed ice and snow will only thin or damage your turf grass blades.
Trust the experts
Turf grasses come in multiple shapes and sizes and can be used in numerous locations, terrains, and climates. A licensed dealer is the best person to trust when maintaining your yard.
Always ask for maintenance advice during installation. Additionally, do not apply any non-approved chemicals, such as petroleum-based products, as they may damage your lawn and eventually annul your warranty. By trusting the right experts, you can have a beautiful and long-lasting yard.
When you need reliable turf experts, you come to us. We are the best in the business and would be happy to answer your questions. Contact us and we will get you sorted.
