Do you have an artificial lawn installed?
If so, you probably know how great they’ve made your lawn look and will continue do so for years to come. Like all things, though, your lawn will need some form of care to keep it looking as new as it does today. Here is an article about why and how you need to maintain it and also a step by step guide for doing so.
Consider this the only manual you’ll need in order to keep your lawn pristine.
Let’s take a closer look at how to maintain an artificial lawn.
Artificial Grass vs. Real Grass
So, what’s the difference between real and artificial grass? With artificial grass, will you be able to reduce the amount of work you have to do in your yard? Absolutely. A real lawn needs a lot of upkeep to keep it looking healthy. Weed killers, seeding, watering… it all adds up, in both time and money.
Who wants to be spending all that time maintaining the yard, when you could be enjoying it?
An artificial lawn, on the other hand, needs almost no maintenance at all. You can spend the time you would have on your lawn with your family, using the garden that you’ve worked hard to put together for better reasons.
How to Maintain An Artificial Lawn
An artificial lawn needs little maintenance, but that doesn’t mean it needs none at all. Like any garden furniture, it needs some upkeep to keep it looking and working at its best. You’ll find, though, that you need to do an awful lot less.
It needs upkeep, but the work involved is much less intensive.
Here’s what you need to to know when learning how to maintain an artificial lawn.
1. Remove the debris
All kinds of things will fall on your lawn throughout the year.
The fall will be the worst time for it, as the leaves fall from the trees. As they fall, regularly remove them, preferably with a leaf blower or a lightweight rake. Keeping them on the lawn can damage the pile and colour of the lawn, so it’s best to remove them as soon as they appear.
The only time you don’t remove anything from the lawn is when it snows. If the snow freezes into the lawn fibers, it’s best not to remove it.
This is because it could pull at them and break them off. Instead, let it melt naturally.
2. Remove weeds
Thanks to the membrane on your lawn, weeds can’t grow up underneath it.
However, it can be susceptible to airborne weeds. Pull any out at this stage. It shouldn’t be too difficult, as they can’t set their roots too deeply. Then, use a weed killer on the lawn to discourage further growth.
Make sure to use a water based weed killer, to avoid damage to the lawn.
3. Brush your lawn
Yes, really.
An artificial lawn is a lot like a carpet, in that the pile needs to be cared for to keep looking new and fresh. Use a stiff bristled outdoor brush to brush the fibers. Brush in all directions, so the lawn is made to look like natural grass. This will keep the pile soft and bouncy, perfect for when you want to relax on it in the summer.
4. Rinse it down
You won’t always need to do this, but sometimes the lawn will need a rinse to remove any lingering debris. You’ll probably do this more often if you have pets, to wash away what they deposit on the lawn.
What Equipment is Needed?
You don’t need a lot of equipment in your garage to keep your artificial lawn looking good.
A leaf blower is helpful, but a rake will do. Some weed killer is good for when you’re removing the weeds from the garden.
Finally, you’ll need a brush for brushing the fibers off your lawn.
That’s it!
General Upkeep Tips
There are a few other things you need to know to keep that lawn looking its best.
They are:
Keep fire away from the lawn
If you’re having a barbecue or a bonfire, keep it well away from your lawn. Unlike a real lawn, it can’t re-grow if it’s damaged by fire. It can be repaired if necessary, but there will be a slightly different patch where it’s been repaired.
Watch heavy objects
You may want to put something heavy on your lawn, like a kid’s paddling pool. That’s fine, but don’t keep it on there too long. Once you’re finished using it, move the object away from the lawn. Then, brush the lawn where it was sitting. This will stop permanent damage to the lawn.
Clean stains ASAP
Just like a carpet, if anything is spilled on the lawn, it can stain. Clean them as soon as you can for the best results. For most stains, dish soap is fine to wash them out. Oil marks can be washed out with mineral oil, but it is recommended that you keep oils away from the lawn to avoid damage.
Keep an eye on kids and pets
Artificial lawns are the best option for many families with children and pets, but you need to make sure they understand the difference between a real and artificial lawn.
Animals usually don’t dig at them, but rarely they may rip through the membrane. Keep an eye on them when they’re in the yard, to ensure they don’t. Children may pull at the fibers, like they would with a real lawn.
Make sure they know not to, as those fibers won’t grow back.
Make Maintaining Your Yard Easier
Written down, this all looks like a lot of work.
However, it’s actually a very short process. If you keep up a regular maintenance schedule, you’ll only be spending five or ten minutes on it at a time. Obviously, that number will differ depending on how big your yard is, but compare that to looking after a real lawn.
The time difference is immense. Look after your artificial lawn, and it will look after you. Maintain it and it’ll look fantastic for years to come.
