Is Artificial Turf Worth It in Sarasota? Breaking Down the Costs vs. Benefits

Grass is supposed to be green — under your feet, beneath your picnic blanket, as a backdrop to your annual cookout where you serve your famous jalapeno peach smoked ribs. 

But getting green grass isn’t easy. It needs mowing, water, fertilizer, weed control, occasional pesticides or fungus treatment. 

How are you supposed to find time to perfect your ribs recipes? 

Maybe you’ve pondered artificial grass. Its surface of synthetic fibers looks like natural grass. It’s always green. It hardly needs any care. But it’s considerably more expensive, up front, than natural sod. 

Is artificial grass worth it? 
It depends. It saves you a lot of time and money on lawn care. You pay more upfront, but after a number of years you’ll have spent about the same as you paid for years of lawn maintenance. But there are pros and cons to both types of grass. 

Keep reading to learn more about Sarasota artificial turf, including:

• How Much Does Lawn Turf Cost?
• Consider the Environmental Impact of Real Grass and Artificial Turf in Sarasota
• The Benefits of Artificial Grass in Sarasota
• The Drawbacks of Artificial Turf in Sarasota 

How Much Does Lawn Turf Cost?

Real sod is cheaper up front — about $2 per square foot. Artificial turf installation cost is considerably more, at $12 to $16 per square foot. 

But the costs don’t end with the installation. 

When you’re caring for real grass, you’re paying for weekly mowing, unless you do it yourself. That alone costs about $160 per month. Add the cost of irrigation, fertilizer eight times a year, regular weed control, pesticides, occasional fungicides. And do you have to drill a well for that irrigation water? Add that extra expense. 

Real grass has a lot of needs, and the cost adds up. It’s ongoing. Fake turf installation cost is pricy, but then your wallet gets a break.
 
If you do the math (stop sweating — we’ll do it for you) it takes about 
8-10 years of caring for sod before that equals what you spent on artificial turf. 

How long does artificial turf last? 
Estimates range from eight to 20 years, but most brands offer a five-year warranty.

Consider the Environmental Impact of Real Grass and Artificial Turf in Sarasota 

To be honest, environmentalists have problems with both types of lawn. 

Critics of artificial turf say it causes plastic pollution, leaking micro-plastics into waterways. And most artificial turf, when it needs to be replaced, ends up in a landfill. 

But many people aren’t fans of real turf, either, concerned about how much precious water it needs, and the environmental impact of putting chemical fertilizers and other lawn care products into the ground. 

But real grass offers a few environmental benefits that artificial turf can’t claim. It acts as a natural air and water purifier, reduces erosion, helps control stormwater runoff, and contributes to a cooler environment. Healthy lawns also support soil health and provide habitats for various organisms. 

Is artificial grass worth it? It saves a lot of water. Water is a precious, diminishing resource here in Florida. Years ago you could just dig a hole and find water. Now you often have to go down 200 feet to an aquifer. And saving water will just become more important over time.

Artificial turf has other environmental benefits, too. It needs no lawn care chemicals for its upkeep, and you skip the noise and air pollution that mowing creates. Most artificial turf is made here in the USA in Georgia, from recycled plastic. 

Neither choice is perfect. 

But…

The Benefits of Artificial Grass in Sarasota 

Here at Tropical Gardens, we love artificial turf for several reasons:

• It looks like real grass, and it always looks great. It’s even available in different colors, textures and lengths, so you can choose the look you like. Skeptical? You might be remembering ratty old artificial turf years ago at your great aunt’s house. Today’s artificial turf is fuller, softer to the touch and more closely resembles real grass than the AstroTurf you might remember from years ago. It really looks real.
• It requires minimal maintenance. Just occasionally sweep off any debris, rinse it and brush the bristles in high-traffic areas. No weeding!
• If you have shady areas where real grass just won’t grow, bam — problem solved.
• Love going barefoot? Artificial turf is softer than the St. Augustine grass so popular here in Florida, which has a coarse texture, and sharp blades that can feel like little knives on your bare feet.
• You can install artificial turf anywhere you’d have real grass, including pool areas. No more grass clippings blowing into your pool.
• Is artificial grass worth it?  Are you a dog owner? While natural grass turns yellow and dies from dog urine, artificial turf stays green. Dog urine can be easily washed out of the turf so the surface stays clean. Some manufacturers create artificial turf designed specifically for dogs, including features like a flow-through backing for maximum drainage and antimicrobial technology built into the blades.

The Drawbacks of Artificial Turf in Sarasota 

• Artificial turf gets hot in the sun. Many homeowners keep their irrigation systems after they switch from real turf to cool the grass. Connect your irrigation system to your phone to make this super convenient. You won’t be using your irrigation system nearly as much, so you save money not just on water but on irrigation system maintenance costs, too.
• Not all artificial turf is high quality. Some is cheaply made and doesn't look as real. Avoid the cheap stuff.

Considering Artificial Turf in Sarasota? Talk to Us

Is artificial grass worth it? 

As you’ve just read, there are a few factors to consider. If you want to talk it through, we’re happy to chat. Maybe bring some of those jalapeno peach smoked ribs. 

Choose landscape design and installation in Sarasota with the skill and experience to help you make tough choices easier. 

Let’s get started. We’ll help you figure it all out. 

Give us a call or fill out our form today! Our team of Sarasota designers can’t wait to design your perfect outdoor haven — with whatever type of lawn that’s right for you.