Growing a thick, green lawn in the High Desert is a constant battle. There is soil amending, aerating, re-seeding and watering that must be done to grow an emerald lawn worthy of badminton and barbecues. Turns out, some Central Oregon homeowners have thrown in the towel and turned to artificial grass instead. The synthetic blades of grass never need watering or mowing and can’t be torn up from dog and foot traffic. Kyle Landon, owner of Alpha Turf NW, an artificial grass installation company based in Eugene, said 80 percent of his clients are dog owners who want something more durable than grass.

“Dogs are horrible to lawn,” said Landon. “They tear things up, and they create urine stains. A lot of customers have replaced their sod several times, and they finally decide to do artificial turf.”

For Tumalo resident Bonnie Darling, her reason for installing artificial grass was environmentally motivated. Because Darling’s home is situated on a riverbank, she says she doesn’t use fertilizers because of toxic runoff. “That was my main incentive for getting artificial grass. You have to be careful about the runoff into the river.”

After an application of sod didn’t survive, Darling began researching various artificial products and found an artificial grass by TURF-N Central Oregon that she liked so much she eventually became a distributor for the company. Now Darling’s lawn is perma-green from edge to edge. “People don’t know it’s not real. ~ Mine looks like it’s three days from needing to be mowed,” said Darling.

Far from AstroTurf

When considering artificial grass, homeowners should research the color, length and feel of the blades. Landon’s company, for example, sells artificial grass from 1 to 2 1/2 inches long. Both Darling and Landon pointed out that some of their most popular types of artificial grass contain bits of thatch to incorporate shades of brown in the green to create a more natural look. “(For Central Oregon) we tend to install a lot with the browns in it because it matches with the natural landscape,” said Landon.

Kelli Webb, owner of TURF-N Central Oregon, says the blue rye artificial grass is the most popular seller for them. “It’s got different length and widths of blades, and it’s got the green and the brown thatch built right in.”

Durability and drainage

Both Landon and Webb said the artificial grass is designed to last more than 20 years. “We sell a field turf product,” said Landon. “It’s the same brand as in Autzen Stadium and Summit High School. It’s original intention was to be put in sports fields for cleats racing back and forth, and they’ve brought that research into landscaping.”

Landon pointed out that when choosing a product, research the drainability and permeability. Rather than big holes punched in the backing, look for a product that has a fully permeable backing, which provides better drainage. Artificial grass won’t stain from pet defecation and can be hosed off for easy cleaning.

Investment

Artificial turf can be purchased from $8-$15 per square foot, installed, depending on the type of grass selected. Webb said that at TURF-N Central Oregon, putting greens are priced from $18-$22 per square foot, installed, because a cement base is required.

Darling said she didn’t mind the initial investment because of the savings she’s had over time. “I save 70 percent of the water bill, and in Central Oregon that’s our big deal,” said Darling

Landon knows many of his clients previously spent $400 a month to maintain their lawn. “Lawns are extremely expensive to take care of,” said Landon. “(The homeowner) will spend more money up front (for artificial grass) that will pay for itself over four to five years.”

Installation

Installation of the grass varies by company. In general, artificial grass can be installed anytime of the year as long as the ground isn’t frozen since installation requires that about four inches of earth below the grass be removed. Rock is placed beneath the artificial grass. The grass is secured with long spikes, and a fine layer of sand is applied “to make the grass blades stand up,” said Darling.

Ron Webb, owner of TURF-N Central Oregon and the installer for the company, says they are able to install about 500 square feet per day. “So generally they’re about a day to a day and half installation. It takes a couple weeks from the consultation to have the grass delivered,” said Webb.