With its easy-to-manage qualities, astro turf, also known as artificial grass, has been popping up everywhere in people’s homes and places of business. As something that looks good, is low maintenance and never needs watering or grooming, it’s no surprise that more and more people are turning to astroturf. That being said, a common and natural question that comes next is what happens to the ground underneath once you lay the astro turf? Is it better to leave it or put it on top? What does the astro turf do to the surrounding ecosystem and the soil? More importantly, what is the future of this material? Let’s get into it.
The Installation Process
Before we talk about the effects, let’s quickly go over how astro turf gets installed. Here’s the basic rundown:
- Removing Existing Grass and Soil: First, we remove all existing grass and topsoil.
- Adding a Sub-Base: A layer of crushed stone or gravel would be laid over the stone dust for support and drainage purposes.
- Laying a Weed Barrier: The weed barrier fabric is placed on the sub-base to prevent weeds from growing through the turf area.
- Installing the Astro Turf: The artificial grass is rolled out, cut to size and pegged down or secured with adhesive.
- Adding Infill: Sand, rubber granules, or other infill materials are spread across the turf to help the blades stand upright and provide cushioning.
What Happens to the Soil?
One of the big questions is how astro turf affects the soil underneath. Natural soil is full of life—microorganisms, insects, and plant roots all work together to keep it healthy. Astro turf is made and installed in a way that can minimise the impact and in fact, there are actually some positive effects on soil health:
- Soil compaction reduced: The ground preparations for the sub-base layer reduce soil compaction, enabling superior air and water movement (compared to that of trampled natural grass).
- A Protection Against Erosion: Excess use natural walkways/spaces, especially in open areas due to high foot traffic, for instance, leads ultimately to erosion of your valuable soil. There is nothing you can do about the bare earth under your feet. Once your natural grass is gone, you might be watering brown patches for years to come. By installing astro turf, you will find that not only soil erosion has disappeared, but you it becomes impossible for dry brown patches to form.
Water Drainage and Soil Moisture
Drainage is key when installing astro turf. The sub-base is designed to let water flow through, preventing puddles. With installing astro turf, sufficient drainage system is set up between the surface and the soil:
- Increased Drainage: Sub-base and weed barrier work together to provide good drainage, prevent waterlogging and keep the soil healthy and more suitable for blossoming. This would be beneficial in areas that suffer from hard rainfall.
- Efficient Drainage: The design of astro turf also promotes fast drainage and limits the water from reaching the soil. The soil stays moist and this way microorganisms don’t die which occurs when the environment is too dry.
Temperature Regulation
Astro turf has advantages when it comes to temperature control:
- Stable Soil Temperature: While astro turf does absorb heat to some degree, many modern designs employ cooling technology to prevent heat-buildup, to keep the soil temperature stable – so as not to harm the ecosystem below.
The use of astro turf reduces the heat island effect, which is a prominent feature of urban areas, by spreading it to a wider surface. Good quality astro turf with a particular heat-reflective layer would help the area keep cool while making it much more comfortable for people.
Positive Impact on Local Ecosystems
Astro turf can play a supportive role in local ecosystems:
- Habitat Maintenance: Astro turf doesn’t attract pests or allergens. This creates a cleaner, safer environment for children and pets without relying on harmful pesticides.
- Minimal Disruption: Proper installation of astro turf ensures minimal disruption to the existing soil and plant life. By maintaining a healthy sub-base and proper drainage, the ground beneath the turf can remain in good condition.
- Complementary Landscaping: Astro turf can be integrated with natural elements like trees, shrubs, and flower beds. This combination helps maintain a more natural look and feel, supporting some level of local biodiversity while benefiting from the low-maintenance aspect of astro turf.
Long-Term Benefits
Astro turf offers numerous long-term advantages for your landscape and the environment:
- Eco-Landscaping: A big benefit to astro turf is that it requires less irrigation and fewer fertilisers and weed killers. This will also help the environment and decrease your carbon footprint.
- Durability And Lastingness: Astro turf also lasts a long time with very little upkeep. Breakdowns only mean replacement every 8-10 years or more, which has a much smaller footprint on sustainability, compared with having to replace natural grass every summer.
- Versatile and Adaptable: Astro turf is versatile and adaptable to meet all your needs. It’s suitable for both home and business indoors and out, great for sports and recreation areas, as well as children’s playgrounds. It gives you the opportunity to have your own beautiful green lawn wherever you want.
Making the Switch
If you’re considering installing astro turf, here are a few tips to maximise its benefits:
- Choose Quality Materials: Opt for high-quality astro turf with advanced features like cooling technology and efficient drainage systems.
- Professional Installation: Ensure that your astro turf is installed by professionals who understand the importance of proper base preparation and drainage.
- Integrate Natural Elements: Combine astro turf with natural landscaping elements to create a balanced and eco-friendly environment.
With proper installation and thoughtful integration, astro turf can provide a beautiful, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly solution for your outdoor spaces.
It’s not just about looking good—it’s about creating a sustainable, durable, and enjoyable environment for years to come. So, if you’re looking to upgrade your lawn, get in touch with us today!