When to Rip Out Artificial Turf & Replace It with Natural Landscaping
Maybe your artificial turf has seen better days. It’s impressive stuff, but it doesn’t last forever.
So, now what? Replace it with another batch of artificial grass? Not necessarily.
Maybe it’s time for the real deal.
Why replace artificial grass with natural landscaping? It’s cooler for your bare feet and your dog’s paws. It has lots of environmental benefits. You don’t have to replace it every 10 years or so like artificial turf, if you maintain it well. Natural landscaping can often better complement luxury homes and outdoor living spaces.
Let’s learn more about natural landscaping benefits, including:
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You Have Dogs and Are Tired of Artificial Turf Maintenance Issues
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reasons to Switch to Natural Grass
First, When to Remove Fake Grass?
if you’ve had your artificial grass for a while, you’ve probably gotten used to it always looking perfect, year in, year out. Let’s face it, that’s one of the big attractions of artificial turf.
But it might be time to take a closer look. An artificial lawn doesn’t last forever.
How do you know if it’s time for artificial turf removal? Look for a few signs:
1. Your Turf is Faded
Even the most vibrant green artificial turf starts to fade eventually in our bright Sarasota sun.
High-quality artificial grass includes built-in UV ray blockers to slow the fading process, but all artificial turf will lose its bright green color over time.
2. Split Turf Fibers
The fibers of artificial turf can split over time, causing the light to reflect off them differently. You’ll notice it looks kind of weird, for lack of a better term, and it’s a good reason for artificial turf removal.
3. The Seams Are Coming Apart
This is never good, right? It’s actually more likely to happen with lower quality artificial turf, or poor installation. But it can also happen after years of heavy use, and is a sign it’s time for artificial turf removal.
4. Stains or Odors
Take a sniff test. The best artificial turf is engineered to resist stains and odors, but they can happen over time, especially if spills or pet urine aren’t always cleaned up right away.
Organic matter doesn’t break down naturally on artificial turf the way it does on natural grass. That means mold, stains and bad odors can linger and be tough to remove.
5. Drainage Issues
Artificial turf is designed to drain well, but over time, your turf’s drainage system can get clogged with debris, leading to poor water flow, drainage issues and standing water that can damage your artificial grass.
6. It Looks Matted
If it’s installed properly and you keep up with occasional infill replacement, your artificial turf should stand up straight and look natural.
But after years of use, those grass fibers can get matted, especially if your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic.
Reasons to Switch to Natural Grass
You could replace your worn out artificial turf with more artificial turf. It’s always green. It needs less maintenance than natural grass. You’ve gotten used to it. It seems like the easiest choice.
But there are reasons to replace artificial grass with natural landscaping. Take a look:
Natural Sod is Cheaper to Install
If you’re comparing the cost of artificial turf with real sod, you’ll notice right away artificial turf costs quite a bit more.
Real sod costs $2-$3 per square foot to install and add another $1 for the site preparation.
Artificial turf costs $14-$18 per square foot, including the materials, delivery and installation.
So a 15-by-20-foot area of artificial grass in Florida will cost about $5,500.
But you should also evaluate long-term costs, not just installation costs. Natural lawns come with maintenance costs that artificial lawns don’t have, including mowing, fertilizing, weed control and regular maintenance to control insects and diseases.
Natural Landscaping Lasts Longer
Artificial turf needs replacing over time. A well-maintained grass lawn lasts for decades with proper maintenance.
Replacing artificial turf with natural landscaping means you can enjoy it for as long as you live there.
You Have Dogs and Are Tired of the Artificial Turf Maintenance Issues
While artificial grass is pretty low maintenance, that changes a bit if you have dogs.
You have to spray areas of dog urine to keep your artificial turf clean, scoop
the poop, spray that area with water, and wash any stains with mild soap and water. If you want to avoid lingering odors you need to hose the turf down with a water hose weekly and treat it with bleach or vinegar.
It’s kind of a lot.
Natural Landscaping Benefits: Real Grass is Cooler
Natural grass stays significantly cooler than artificial turf in direct sun. In Florida's hot, humid summers, artificial turf can reach temperatures well above the surrounding air temperature, sometimes becoming uncomfortable or even unsafe for bare feet and pets.
Real grass cools itself through an impressive science-y move called evapotranspiration, which we’re totally going to explain here because it’s cool and you never know when it’ll pop up on “Jeopardy.”
Evapotranspiration is like a built-in air conditioning system. Grass pulls water from the soil up into its blades. As the sun heats the grass, this water evaporates into the air.
This evaporation pulls heat away from the grass. Even if you stop reading here, which you shouldn’t, you’ve learned something.
Real Turf Provides Better Stormwater Absorption
It’s no secret we get heavy rain downpours here in Sarasota. A healthy natural lawn helps absorb and filter rainwater, reducing runoff and helping replenish groundwater.
Yes, your artificial turf is designed to drain, but it generally doesn’t provide the same natural water filtration benefits as living soil and grass.
Real Grass Offers Environmental Benefits
Even some HOAs and municipalities are recognizing natural landscaping benefits and prohibiting artificial turf.
There’s increasing concern that the runoff from artificial grass is toxic, containing chemicals and heavy metals that can contaminate waterways, soil and air. The pushback from environmentalists and community residents is growing.
Real grass:
- Absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
- Traps and absorbs dust and pollutants — it’s a natural air filter.
- Absorbs water, preventing runoff and soil erosion.
- Absorbs sound and reduces noise pollution.
- Supports soil organisms and beneficial microbes.
Meanwhile, artificial turf is typically made from plastic materials derived from petroleum and eventually requires disposal in landfills.
Natural Grass Supports Wildlife
Natural lawns provide habitat for insects, earthworms, birds, and other wildlife. Synthetic turf is a pretty sterile environment.
No Plastic Degradation
Florida's intense UV rays can speed up wear on artificial turf. The turf fibers can fade, break down, and shed microplastics over time. Meanwhile, natural grass renews itself through growth, if it’s properly maintained.
Improved Soil Health
One of the many natural landscaping benefits is that living grass develops root systems that reduce erosion, improve soil structure, increase organic matter and support beneficial microorganisms.
A More Natural Appearance and Feel
Many homeowners prefer the look, smell, and feel of real grass. It provides a cooler, softer surface, and can be more pleasant to hang out on when properly maintained.
It’s hard to beat the soft, cool feel of real grass under your bare feet. And that fresh grass fragrance after it’s mowed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reasons to Switch to Natural Grass
Q: How long does artificial turf last?
A: Expect artificial grass in a residential yard to last 15-20 years, depending on how much it’s used, its exposure to sunlight and how well it’s maintained with brushing, cleaning and infill replenishment.
Q: What Does Artificial Lawn Removal Involve?
A: Landscaping crews will need to remove every bit of your artificial turf, including the synthetic grass; its backing material; the infill materials that help the blades stand up straight; the tape that joins the seams; and nails that secure the edges.
Crews will peel back the artificial grass and cut it into smaller pieces to remove, then remove the rest of the materials, leaving a clean surface for sod.
Unlike artificial turf, real sod needs quality soil to grow, so landscaping crews will bring in fresh soil to prepare for sod installation.
Q: If I switch to real grass, what type works best in Sarasota?
A: It depends on your unique situation, but St. Augustine Floratam, St. Augustine CitraBlue, or Empire Zoysia will likely work best for you.
Q: Should a new Sarasota lawn be grown from seed or should I have sod installed?
A: Grass seed isn’t typically used In Florida, because the most popular variety for the state, St. Augustine, doesn't produce enough viable seed to be widely available. Same thing with zoysia. So grass is grown from sod or plugs.
Q: How much water will I save by using artificial turf?
A: Saving water is one of the big advantages of artificial turf. If you use city water to irrigate your Sarasota sod yard, you’re using 12-15 gallons of water per minute each time water. If you water for 30 minutes, that’s 450 gallons every time you water your lawn.
Proponents of artificial grass list water savings as a big benefit, along with the fact that it needs no chemicals like fertilizer and weed control products.
Q: Are there ways to create natural landscaping that’s low maintenance?
A: Yes! A natural landscape will always need more maintenance than artificial turf, but there are ways to reduce the amount of care.
One big one? Incorporate easy-care native plants. While some tropical plants are fussy and needy, others have a no-sweat vibe you’ll love.
Natives don’t need much water. They’re sturdy. They look great without a ton of tending. Native plants are from here, so they’re automatically adapted to Sarasota conditions.
A skilled Sarasota landscape designer can help you create a stunning natural landscape that includes low-maintenance features.
Ready for Artificial Turf Removal? Talk to Us
Whether you decide to replace your worn-out artificial turf with a fresh new batch, or switch to natural grass and landscaping, we’ve got you covered, with innovative design and experienced crews expert in both.
At Tropical Gardens Landscape, we make things easy from the very beginning, with a consultation at your home to go over the choices and answer all your questions.
Then, we handle everything, from preparing your yard to expertly installing your landscaping to cleaning up afterwards.
Bonus: we’re a full-service landscaping company — not just Sarasota artificial turf services. That means we can help with all your landscaping needs, from designing your outdoor space to installing and maintaining tropical plants to building a pergola or outdoor kitchen.
Give us a call or fill out our form today! Our team of Sarasota landscaping pros can’t wait to transform your yard into a beautiful, green oasis.
