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California Couple Wins Artificial Grass Lawn06-28-16 | News

California Couple Wins Artificial Grass Lawn
Purchase Green Installs Lawn for Winners

A Southern California couple won a free artificial lawn and installation through Purchase Green's #SaveBluePurchaseGreen social media sweepstakes. Here, Moises Barragan, installation manager, removes the old turf with a sod cutter. Using the sod cutter across the 270 square foot lawn area took about five minutes total.
*Photo: Alli Rael, LC/DBM*

When the Elmayan family was looking for a home, they found that they loved the look of an artificial lawn. But the home they ultimately purchased had a natural grass lawn.

After working hard to keep their natural lawn looking green and healthy, they received a notice from the city – they were using too much water, and must reduce watering to just two days a week. The couple began to seek alternatives to save water, stay green, and have a low maintenance yard.

Judy Elmayan found Purchase Green's social media contest to win an artificial grass lawn – all she had to do was like their Facebook page or follow them on Twitter and share #SaveBluePurchaseGreen. Fourteen finalists were selected (one from each region where the company has a store), and Van and Judy Elmayan were the winners.

On June 23, a crew led by Moises Barragan, installation manager, went to the Elmayan residence in Trabuco Canyon, Calif., to install their new, 270 square foot artificial grass lawn. The homeowners selected the PG 56 grass for its natural appearance. The polyethylene and polypropylene grass has a green/brown thatch, which gives it the appearance of a living lawn in the arid southwest.

The crew used a sod cutter to remove the existing turf, being careful not to cross property lines, and dug 3" below the concrete walkway to install the compacted subbase. For stability, a landscape bender board was added around the edges and along the property line. A weed barrier was placed, followed by the grass (which was nailed down) and the infill on top of that.

The installation was completed in one day. After the sod was removed, the crew dug down a few inches to lay a subbase, which was compacted. Landscape bender boards were positioned around the tree, at the edges of the lawn, and along the property lines. A weed barrier was placed, followed by the turf, which was nailed down. Infill was placed on top and spread with a grandi groom.
*Chad Vander Veen, Purchase Green*

The lawn sprinklers were all capped early in the process, leaving bubblers for the tree in the center of the lawn and plantings along the walkways. A ring was placed around the tree, instead of the new grass butting directly up against the trunk. The homeowners filled the circle with decorative rocks.

In terms of maintenance, once a month, brushing over the grass with a grandi groom will keep it looking fresh and upright. Animal waste should be cleaned up promptly, but an infill with zinc such as the Hero Infill installed at the Elmayan residence will reduce odors. Every couple of years, a drop spreader should be used to replenish the infill – about 1-2 pounds per square foot.

Chad Vander Veen, marketing and communications manager, explained that most homeowners who go artificial do so for the water savings, low maintenance, and for the looks – artificial grass doesn't turn brown. His company estimates that their artificial grass will last 20 years with proper installation and regular maintenance, and provides homeowners with a ten-year warranty.

Contractors can get installation training materials from Purchase Green's website, and obtain certification from the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers. Vander Veen emphasized the importance of getting trained and certified before installing artificial grass. Proper training and certification will help ensure the lawn lasts.

The manufacturer is developing a quarterly maintenance service plan for landscape contractors, including using a power broom over the lawn, checking infill, cleaning as necessary, and clearing away any debris such as leaves.

The installation was completed in one day. The Elmayans now have a water-saving lawn that's green all year round – the lawn they desired when they bought their home four years ago.