Best of Both Worlds: How to Keep Your Garden Flourishing in a Synthetic Turf Backyard
Homeowners who are looking for a low-maintenance option for their backyard are often drawn to synthetic turf. It’s a great way to have a beautiful, lush lawn all year long without paying the price in time and effort. With artificial grass across their property, many homeowners are unsure if they can still plant and grow a garden. With the right tips and tricks, it’s possible to maintain both your artificial grass and your garden so they look great all year round. In this blog, we’ll cover the best tips for keeping a garden with a synthetic turf backyard.
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Benefits of Installing Synthetic Turf on a Residential Backyard
In New England, the weather, climate, and soil can make it difficult for lawns to stay green and lush all year. Installing synthetic turf in your backyard helps reduce the time and money you’d need to spend on keeping up with traditional grass. Oftentimes, synthetic turf is more cost-effective than natural grass and requires less water, maintenance, fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. For those with pets, artificial turf is a great way to keep your lawn clean and looking fresh, while also making it easier for them to use the yard as an outdoor bathroom.
Can You Have a Garden with Artificial Grass?
Although many homeowners who install turf often think that they can’t have a garden, it is possible to have both a garden and artificial turf in your backyard. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, it simply requires some extra attention and consideration.
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Best Tips for Planting a Garden with Artificial Grass
When you are first looking to dig a garden in your backyard, but you already have artificial turf, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.
Make Sure You Have the Right Tools
First, you’ll need to make sure that you have the correct tools for the job. It’s best to use manual hand tools like a shovel or trowel so that you don’t damage your synthetic grass while digging into it.
Choose the Right Plants
When selecting plants for your garden, it’s important to review and research them first. You’ll want to make sure that the plants you choose are suited for your climate, as well as the ground conditions of your synthetic turf. Be sure to select plants that don’t require much maintenance or frequent watering so that they won’t disturb your turf.
Give the Plants Regular Maintenance
Just like any other garden, it’s important to give your plants regular maintenance to keep them thriving and healthy. This includes weeding, fertilizing, pruning, and watering as necessary. When you water your plants, make sure that you’re using a low-pressure hose or sprayer so that you don’t damage your turf.
Build a Barrier Between the Garden & Turf
To further protect your turf, you can add a barrier between it and your garden. This could be something like landscaping fabric or even wood chips. The barrier will help prevent any soil from transferring onto your artificial grass while also keeping weeds from creeping into your garden.
Avoid Applying Pesticides to Your Turf
If you have to use pesticides in your garden, make sure that you avoid applying them directly to your turf. Pesticides can be damaging to synthetic grass and can cause it to break down over time. Instead, keep all pesticide use restricted only to the areas of soil in your garden.
Routinely Maintain & Clear the Area Around the Garden
To best preserve both your garden and your lawn, it’s important to routinely maintain the area around your garden. This means clearing away any leaves and debris and removing stray weeds that may have sprouted up. If you find any weeds in your turf, you can use a spot weed killer to remove them without damaging your grass. If any of this debris makes its way to your turf, it could cause staining or discoloration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing a Garden with Artificial Grass on Your Lawn
When growing a garden with synthetic turf, it’s important to keep a few key things in mind and avoid some common mistakes.
Don't Overwater Your Plants or Turf
One of the most important tips for keeping your garden and turf looking great is to not overwater either one. Too much water can cause your plants to struggle or even die, and too much water on your turf can lead to issues like mold or mildew.
Keep Heavy Weights Off of Turf
Another common mistake that homeowners make is putting excess weight on their synthetic grass. If you have larger items in your garden, such as benches or statues, be sure to spread the weight out to avoid leaving indentations in your turf.
Avoid Planting Too Close to Your Turf
When planting your garden, make sure that you don’t plant too close to your turf. If the plants are too close they could cause damage to the grass when their roots grow and spread. Instead, try leaving a few inches between the soil in your garden and your artificial turf.
Contact Turf Prep in Boston, MA & Gilford, NH for Expert Turf Advice & Residential Installation Services
At Turf Prep, we are well-versed in all aspects of synthetic turf. Our expert team can help answer any questions you may have about artificial turf and how to best maintain it alongside your garden. Along with our expert advice, our team can provide expert installation, repair, and maintenance packages for homeowners in the Boston and Gilford areas. To learn more and receive a free quote, visit our website or give us a call at 1-877-774-TURF.
