The arrival of winter makes homeowners often dread its effect on their perfectly manicured gardens. Particularly those who have lush, green, natural lawns worry about the damage their grass has to endure. Real grass looks amazing throughout spring and summer, but it gets difficult to maintain it well once the temperature drops. This may be the main reason for the increasing number of homeowners preferring artificial grass to real grass. Even so, synthetic turf can bear snow and rain efficiently. Artificial grass is durable, requires low maintenance, and looks full amidst the colder season.
Artificial grass is perfectly suitable to install in areas where it snows. Many homeowners throughout the US love artificial grass landscaping for its ability to withstand cold weather and come out of winter unscathed. Whereas natural grass will die off in extreme conditions, artificial turf won’t be damaged by frost or other winter weather such as heavy rain or hail. While natural grass will either turn brown and die back completely or get patchy, brown spots in areas with freezes and snow, fake grass looks green and lush throughout the winter. One of the great things about artificial grass is that it isn’t affected by snow or freezing rain.
Now, it is important to note that this does not mean that your artificial grass will not have ice on it. For example, if it snows on your lawn, and then that snow is walked on enough to compact it, it can turn into a layer – or layers – of ice that could remain on your lawn until the weather warms up enough for it to melt. When this occurs, you will need to exercise the same caution you would use when walking on other icy surfaces.
While artificial grass blades are very resilient, it should be noted that freezing temperatures that occur after moisture has been deposited on the grass, such as in the case of rain, freezing rain or snow, can cause the blades to stiffen some in a way that could make your lawn a bit less cushy and soft when walking on it.. It’s best to allow all of the snow and frost to melt and drain naturally through the perforated backing before resuming backyard activities. If you do have to walk across your turf while it’s frozen, take extra care while walking in order to avoid breaking or damaging any blades.
What to do if it snows on artificial grass?
If your lawn receives a light dusting of snow, simply allow it to melt naturally. The turf is manufactured with perforation to allow water to seep through the material, and the sub-base is crafted to allow proper drainage. It is best to allow the snow or ice to melt naturally and allow the water to dissipate through your lawn’s drainage system. If you need to remove snow from your lawn, be sure to use a plastic snow shovel to avoid damaging your grass. If you are expecting company or just need to remove some snow or ice to allow your children or pets to have some time outside, you can also warm up towels or blankets in your clothes dryer and lay them on the lawn to speed up the melting process. Alternatively, you can cover your manufactured lawn with a tarp or plastic sheeting before light snow or moisture that could freeze is expected. You can then remove the covering (and the snow that has accumulated on top of the covering) to immediately enjoy your lawn for a party or some outdoor play time in the middle of winter.
After a heavy snowfall that remains on the grass for an extended period of time, you may notice that your manufactured lawn looks a bit flattened. To encourage the blades to once again stand erect, you just need to fluff your grass a bit with a rake, broom or brush. There are specially designed turf rakes just for this purpose, or you can use a plastic rake or non-wire broom or brush to gently lift the blades.
NOTE: It is best to avoid using salt to melt snow or ice if at all possible. While this will speed up the melting process and your fake grass can withstand the use of salt, the resulting residue can inhibit drainage.
In Conclusion:
Artificial turf can withstand any extreme weather conditions. Whether you’re living in the blizzards of New York or the soaking up the sun in California, synthetic grass is the perfect addition to your yard. This is one of the many reasons more homeowners are replacing their real grass with durable, low-maintenance artificial grass, which looks just as green and full in the middle of winter as it does in the middle of summer – regardless of where you live. Of course, if you live in a colder climate or at a higher altitude, it may spend part of the year covered in snow, but the blades that peek through will be just as green as ever. Plus, a lush, green lawn will be waiting for you when the snow melts away.
