Artificial grass offers options during drought

No mowing and saves water, too? Synthetic turf indeed sounds like the perfect lawn for parched landscapes.

Recent technological innovations make todays fake grass look better than the real thing. Dogs like it. Neighbors cant tell the difference. And when in the grips of prolonged drought, a no-water green space has its appeal.

But artificial turf may not be for every home especially if the owner plans to sell any time soon. Some cities, including Sacramento, Calif., still prohibit its use for front yard landscaping.

Sacramentos city code specifically says no artificial turf, says Jessica Hess of the citys utilities department. But that restriction generally is enforced only if theres a complaint.

In fact, Californias prolonged drought has many cities and people looking twice at synthetic lawns and reconsidering such bans. Some cities, such as Roseville, suggest synthetic turf as part of its grass replacement initiatives.

It is amazing that a healthy grass lawn typically requires 55 gallons of water per square foot per year, said Brian McGibbon of Fields of Green, a California company specializing in synthetic grass. That is 44,000 gallons of water per year for a 800-square-foot lawn. Our products can last 15 to 20 years. That means a new 800-square-foot waterless lawn (can) save 660,000 gallons of over 15 years. Multiply that by just 50,000 homes ... and that is 33 billion gallons of water saved.

Elsewhere in California, water districts and cities are considering rebates or other incentives for synthetic lawns. Artificial grass usually costs $8 to $13 per square foot installed. Most synthetic lawns last 10 to 15 years before they need renovation.

Theres no better way to immediately reduce water consumption than by installing synthetic turf, said Dominic Nappi, CEO of Back Nine Greens, a synthetic lawn and putting green company in California. Theres simply no down side. You can help the water crisis and still have a beautiful lawn, putting green, pet area, kids play area, or any landscaping you desire.

As the name implies, Back Nine Greens offers putting greens that never need water. Having a consistent and easy-care surface has become a synthetics selling point for golfers.

Sacramento radio host Farmer Fred Hoffman used synthetic turf to not only save water, but create a perfect putting green at his home in Herald, Calif. His wife, Jeanne, is an avid golfer.

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Artificial grass offers options during drought