Is Turf Better than grass?
Las Vegas has been installing turf on their government controlled parcels of land. The installation of turf in this region has one goal, saving water. This water crisis is currently the biggest issue cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles will face into the future. As bluegrass continues to be public enemy number one, more and more artificial turf is being installed. With the desperation to conserve water resources, grass needs to be removed, however turf may not be the one size fits all solution. Turf is made with polyurethane (liquid plastic), crum rubber (old car tires), latex, and nylon. All these products are not produced naturally and can leech chemicals into the soil or water as the turf ages. With a short lifespan of 10-20 years, artificial turf needs to be replaced often, requiring labor intensive manufacturing and removal processes. Both grass and artificial turf offer characteristics beneficial for city land use, however both are not perfect and require maintenance and ongoing upkeep. Switching to a natural landscape is the most cost effective and environmentally friendly.
PROs And Cons
TURF
-Minimal maintenance -Initially Expensive -Captures water -Engineered with plastics -Will need to be replaced every 10-15 years -Turf takes thousands of years to decompose |
GRASS
-Requires Maintenance -Water intensive -Fertilizer use -Aesthetic appeal -Conducts photosynthesis -Job security -Invasive species |