Artificial Grass in Massachusetts

Getting the Lawn

• Synthetic grass can save money and time in both maintenance and natural resources. In fact, one of the most difficult parts of the switch to synthetic turf is choosing the supplier. Massachusetts has several contractors and companies, such as Crowley Concepts and New England Custom Putting Greens, which not only supply a range of synthetic grass options, but also offer synthetic grass installation on projects ranging from small home and putting green installation to large park and arena fields. Additionally, several national companies produce synthetic lawn patches and rolls available for shipping. These lawns can be installed by the owner or by contracted professionals.

Installation

• Although local contractors offer installation services, installing a synthetic lawn yourself is also possible. Massachusetts has a sometimes humid and rainy climate requiring that any installed synthetic lawn must have adequate drainage to prevent mildew or fungus formation. Make your lawn ready for synthetic grass by tamping the ground until it forms a solid base. Cover the area with a layer of evenly-spread fine crush gravel not less than 3 inches deep. Once the gravel is spread, use a plate tamper to tamp the gravel and the base into a solid mass. The synthetic grass can then be fastened to the base using galvanized landscaping spikes and either glue or mechanical bonding, depending on the type of synthetic lawn purchased.

Maintenance

• Because Massachusetts is part of the Northeast, winters can be surprisingly cold, and occasional storms such as hurricanes can leave large amounts of water. A synthetic lawn owner should inspect the lawn occasionally for stagnant pools and puddles that can lead to infection by fungus or mildew. Additionally, urine or feces from passing dogs and other animals can plague synthetic lawns, which can be solved by occasionally spraying down the synthetic lawn with a garden hose and by occasionally raking the lawn to free it from solid waste and dead leaves.