Comments on: Fake Grass, Synthetic Turf or Stepford Lawns? http://sanjosegreenhome.com/2010/01/06/fake-grass-synthetic-turf-or-stepford-lawns/ Exploring Sustainable Lifestyle Options at Home Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:21:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Sally Brisbane http://sanjosegreenhome.com/2010/01/06/fake-grass-synthetic-turf-or-stepford-lawns/#comment-6199 Sally Brisbane Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:09:38 +0000 http://sanjosegreenhome.com/?p=788#comment-6199 You really need to have a look at the new synthetic grass, they dont use tire crumb just sand and are made from mainly recycled material. You really need to have a look at the new synthetic grass, they dont use tire crumb just sand and are made from mainly recycled material.

]]> By: Nate Crosby http://sanjosegreenhome.com/2010/01/06/fake-grass-synthetic-turf-or-stepford-lawns/#comment-94 Nate Crosby Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:14:01 +0000 http://sanjosegreenhome.com/?p=788#comment-94 Great article Ken! Thanks for the clear picture that includes the issue with tires pieces. I have heard of kids injesting the tires when playing sports like football. The surface is also much harder on the body, as it doesn't give like soil does. My kids school has the plastic grass pieces that get loosened by use, floating across campus into fencing and nearby plants. Often, I find the tire pieces in my kids shoes. When it rains, both the plastic and th tires pellets roll into the storm drains. The trash- like gum, wrappers and miscellaneous small things, that accumulates from people on the turf is hard to pick up. The school maintenance crew has to run a vacuum across the 'turf'- which is really pathetic as most of it stays like lint on a sweater. At least with real grass, when someone spits or cuts themselves, I have the idea that the soil biology probably eats it up. Great article Ken! Thanks for the clear picture that includes the issue with tires pieces. I have heard of kids injesting the tires when playing sports like football. The surface is also much harder on the body, as it doesn’t give like soil does. My kids school has the plastic grass pieces that get loosened by use, floating across campus into fencing and nearby plants. Often, I find the tire pieces in my kids shoes. When it rains, both the plastic and th tires pellets roll into the storm drains.

The trash- like gum, wrappers and miscellaneous small things, that accumulates from people on the turf is hard to pick up. The school maintenance crew has to run a vacuum across the ‘turf’- which is really pathetic as most of it stays like lint on a sweater. At least with real grass, when someone spits or cuts themselves, I have the idea that the soil biology probably eats it up.

]]> By: Brian Debasitis http://sanjosegreenhome.com/2010/01/06/fake-grass-synthetic-turf-or-stepford-lawns/#comment-82 Brian Debasitis Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:13:11 +0000 http://sanjosegreenhome.com/?p=788#comment-82 Another little known issue with synthetic grass is how much it needs to be sprayed! I talked with some grounds maintenance workers from Palo Alto about a year ago and they told me they have to spray the synthetic turf more than they sprayed regular grass. They synthetic grass needs to be sprayed with disinfectants. Because it's synthetic, it's a breeding ground for pathogens. Even though it may not get irrigated, it needs to be washed once in a while. We don't need more of the plastic industry's problems put out on our landscapes. Another little known issue with synthetic grass is how much it needs to be sprayed! I talked with some grounds maintenance workers from Palo Alto about a year ago and they told me they have to spray the synthetic turf more than they sprayed regular grass. They synthetic grass needs to be sprayed with disinfectants. Because it’s synthetic, it’s a breeding ground for pathogens. Even though it may not get irrigated, it needs to be washed once in a while.

We don’t need more of the plastic industry’s problems put out on our landscapes.

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