Synthetic Grass Lawn pros/cons

[CCMOM("Diney")]

Anyone has synthetic grass lawn installed in the NY/NJ/CT/PA areas? Can you share some pros and cons and your experiences with them? does your dog like them or hate them? Do you have a large area or just a small patch?

I've been reading and researching online but would like to see if anyone actually can share some testimonial experiences with them.

I've been thinking about converting our backyard lawn to the synthetic grass product for my doodles. They just love to run and play on the lawn so much and the lawn is becoming a dirt pile with a bit of green on top. I don't want to limit their exercises and love to see them run free to burn out some energy, but at the same time, I am also tired of wiping their paws and full bodies after they are done playing. I would consider to re-seed the lawn after a few years though.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have no experience with it, and I'm not in the area you mentioned, but I have replaced the sod in my backyard 3 times and could probably have installed the artificial turf for what that cost me. (Forget reseeding, the poor grass wouldn't stand a snowball's chance, lol) I would go for the artificial stuff in a heartbeat, whatever drawbacks there may be can't possibily equal the drawbacks of the ruined sod, filthy dirty feet, mud & grass tracked into the house, rabbit's nests, allergy issues, and lawn maintenance that I have now.

[Adina P]

I've never used it but have heard of some who have and they love it. If I could afford it I would do it in a heartbeat...at least the half of my lawn closest to the house because that area is the most beat-up. The only negative I've heard is that it gets a little hotter in the summer unlike grass...but nothing really bad. I can only imagine how much cleaner my house would be with artificial grass...less dust, no muddy paws...aahhhh...a doodle owner's dream!

If you decide to do it, PLEASE tell us all about it and show us pictures!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would check out all on line resources first. I know there have been issues with sports injuries in athletes when synthetic turf is used. Knee problems primarily I think. Besides who needs a perfect lawn? There are tougher grass seed mixtures like the tall fescues. There are even the oxymoronic "dwarf tall fescues" which need less mowing supposedly. I bought some but I've used it for patches so I can't swear to the less mowing. I'd certainly avoid any of the warm weather grasses like zoysia, which looks awful in the northeast for most of the year. My methods are far from perfect. Since I'll tolerate almost anything that looks good mowed, I have a fair (or is that unfair) scattering of weeds. I mulch all the leaves into the lawn when I mow and I hardly ever feed or lime. I scatter grass seed liberally on occasion, but rarely water the seed conscientiously. By spring and most of the year it looks about the same as my neighbors with fancy lawn services.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, fescue is definitely tougher; I had the landscapers install it the second time. Unfortunately, six months later, Jackdoodle's allergy tests revealed fescue to be one of his worst allergens. :-0
It is related to some of the "weed" grasses; that's partly what makes it tougher.
Sigh.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ah, Jackdoodle does present many challenges. We need to cure him--I wish.

[CCMOM("Diney")]

Thanks for the input. I actually have zoysia grass at my front lawn which I don't mind. My backyard lawn is really shady because of the 3 large oak trees. and the grass was fairly short mixed with moss and weeds before the doodles arrived. we tried to spread grass seed liberally this summer to encourage new growth but the result was so so. the next alternative is to re-sod to the type of grass that is good for shady area, but then again, the price is not cheap since the area is large and that's why I started to look into artificial turf.I am still researching and educating myself...I hope I will see more input from other doodlers here..

[F, Calla & Luca]

The heat difference is far more than 10 degrees according to the article below.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am eager to follow this discussion. We have a small grassy yard. I mean we USED to have a small grassy yard. It is pretty much dirt - too many dogs and dog cousins have literally reduced it to weeds and dirt. We tried reseeding ourselves and it just didn't work at all. Since it is a small area, synthetic grass may be the ticket, but it sure would have to hold up to lots of wear and tear as well as lots of pee and poop.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I found many artificial turf endorsements from turf companies, some of whose turfs are specifically for pets. I still have some concerns about cleanliness, toxins and heat. I didn' find anything on injuries relating to dogs.Here are a few articles:
School Perspective on Turf
Need Special Turf for dogs
Toxins?

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

OK, we turfed our lawn this summer but I live in Canada Could not get decent grass to grow and was tired of the mud. I have no complaints. My dogs wrestle and run on it all the time. It's easier to pick up poop and personally I prefer to hose it down whenever I get a chance.

It dries very quickly. Here are before & after pics.

[Susan Crespo]

Linda your lawn looks great! Do you have to mow it like with real grass? What kind of upkeep does it need? Digging is a big problem for us so I wanted to know what happens if they try to dig a hole?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You can try mowing it, but I bet it takes a very special mower. The dogs need a special paw glove when they dig so it is not a problem. :) Turf Toe can be a problem