Artificial Turf

[Brentbba]

Anyone install it? Our local water district is still offering $3.50/sq ft for turf reduction (either removing grass for mulch, etc. or artificial turf). We've been thinking about doing it for over a year and considering it big time as this drought worsens and taking advantage of the rebates for turf removal while they still exist.

Quality of several 'lawns' I've seen are getting better and not looking as 'fake' as they used to look. Considered a putting green in the back yard, but most seem to be a novelty that wears off. Also read differing opinions about whether it helps or hurts resale. We do live on a golf course, so I don't think it'd hurt, but assume it'd cost more than just a lawn. Don't know yet, but may get a quote with and without just for grins and giggles.

 

[PabloVTA]

I was just at a grey water expo put on my the City of Ventura.

they weren't too keen on the turf ideas.
Until I heard her rattle off a list of negatives, I thought it was a good thing, but I guess not.

loaded with petrochemicals, adds to run off, increases heat, off gasses smells and fumes, not bug and bee friendly, doesn't filter air....yadda yadda...

they are really trying to get people to get rid of concrete everywhere they can, so the rain water, (what little we get) actually goes in to the aquifers, and not to the gutter and ocean.
slow it down, filter it with wood chips/mulch basins and bio-swales, that way the clay we live on will actually have time to absorb some of it.

oh, and grey water cant be used for lawns, or veggie gardens according to the laws. if a human touches it, it's bad.
so dump it into a trough that is filled and covered with spongy mulch, around trees, and let it absorb into the ground that way.

make sure you don't use Oxy clean, or any actual detergent that would work on dirty clothes I guess. And kitchen water from the dishwasher isnt allowed either. and you can only store it for 24 hours.

basically, if you don't have 6-30 fruit trees, it's not worth doing grey water.

 

[Brentbba]

Of course they aren't keen on it - they are selling a different product - grey water. I've got about 1000 sq ft of lawn I'm replacing. Probably just about that much in garden area too that I will continue to water and probably do a little more about mulch in all the beds than I have in the past. Adds to run off...I don't think so. The base of the turf is designed to allow water through. It's the quality of that base that determines if the water runs off or is course enough to allow the water to percolate thru it. I made sure my installer used product to allow water thru the base. Otherwise you can get erosion under the turf leading to peaks and valleys under the turf leading to uneven looking turf areas - not good.

The one thing I am concerned with is the heat coming off the turf. Supposedly not quite as bad as plain concrete patio areas.

I'm going to find out. I have HOA approval and submitted the application to our water district almost 2 weeks ago. Site said allow 2-3 weeks for someone to contact me for a site inspection to be sure I qualify for their rebate. Said rebate is going to pay for over half the cost of this project.

 

[PabloVTA]

so...how'd it turn out?

 

[Brentbba]

Inspection by the water district that's required to verify sq footage and ensure you are replacing a viable green lawn is next week. Gotta have that inspection done before doing ANY work. Will probably be complete by the end of June.

 

[PabloVTA]

up here in the the city of Camarillo, they are now requiring you to apply for an expensive permit and get their blessing before you remove lawn/weeds for rocks and gravel, etc.

how lame is that? You have to pay to change your lawn, you have to pay more for less water,you need to pay for plan submitting and contractors, you have to pay fines if it isn't to code, you have to pay if the HOA dings you....

it's my lawn right?
that city is so money hungry it's sad.

 

[Brentbba]

Wow - permits!! Outrageous. Not down here.

Did get HOA approval, but that's a formality as there are a few other artificial turf lawns in the neighborhood already. I guess they could have denied it if I'd wanted to put in purple or pink turf! Those colors and many others do exist!!!

Only thing we had to do was apply to the water district, wait for their approval, schedule an inspection to be sure we weren't just replacing weeds or dirt, etc. and then once complete schedule a post inspection by the district to confirm that we'd done what was expected before they'd pay out the rebate. For our district that's $5/sq ft up to 1000 sq ft!

 

[Brentbba]

WooHoo!! Got final pre-approval from water district and finally have an install date of Aug 12-14. After the saw a putting green installed at a friend of her's (not mine) house, she liked it so we're 'upgrading' and making part of the back yard a putting green...mostly for me! Totally stoked about that!

Glad we got this going when we did as news in the last couple of nights ago reported that funds for this have officially run out if/until/when more funds are allocated. It's $4800 in my pocket for this little project. And for the curious golfers...the putting green set me back an add'l $3000 over just plain turf! This stuff ain't cheap and there'll never be enough real payback in reduced water usage. And you guys wonder why I don't do more camping.

 

[Brentbba]

Spent the past two weekends putting down 2 full yards of mulch in all the garden beds. They look good.

Construction started on the putting green and yard replacement yesterday. They had a hole in their construction schedule and were able to move me up.

I WILL post pics. Taking progress pictures as they go. Yesterday was boring - just turf removal. I feel for the guys doing the work. Taking out the old sod wheel barrow by wheel barrow. At least they were able to get a sod cutter back there to dig up most of the yard. It's the only type access to my back yard. This morning they started bringing in the sub surface, again one wheel barrow at a time. Hot and humid this morning. I feel for these guys!!

 

[Brentbba]

View attachment 1114769 View attachment 1114769

Project is complete. Needless to say, I'm extremely happy with the results!

Before and after of the back yard.

 

[Brentbba]

Front Yard before and after.

 

[smittycrusher]

that looks fantastic. I love the putting green...very jealous!

Smitty