[Velvet]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

There would be a lot of advantages to plastic grass, which has improved in quality and looking real in recent years. One advantage would be less fertilizer RUNOFF into the lake, which would make the lakes cleaner with less plant scum on the surface. Also home owners would save money on no noisy professional grass cutters, which would reduce the speeding trucks with trailers racing around the neighborhoods. Air quality would be improved. People could concentrate on putting nice looking flowers and shrubs in their yard. Instead of spending excess money on boring and often ugly grass. And did I mention less pollution from noisy lawnmowers. Both plastic grass and stone yards are beautiful to me because I also see the environmental improvement factors.

I understand, but had I seen any artificial turf when I was looking to buy in TV I would have bought somewhere else. We are getting away from plastic bags, to be replaced by plastic grass?

[Biker Dog]

Originally Posted by idlewild

I hate our St Augustine "lawn" and am strongly considering replacing it with Zoysia turf which our friends up in CDD 10 have. We're only 8 months into this new lawn and already fighting invasive Bermuda and torpedo grass (I can address). But both our dogs and guests have refused to walk on it - how embarrassing - since it's really not a grass IMHO.

Has anyone done this successfully?

I understand how it's not recommended as both St. Augustine and, to a lesser extent, Zoysia can penetrate into neighboring yards but we're on a corner lot Veranda with a wall (solid bottom) behind us. And our lawn's only direct contact with our neighbor's lawn is under the mock fence for which we are likely landscaping with metal and 2' of rock to create a barrier between the yards. I also mow and treat my own yard so no issues with contractors equipment spreading seeds/weeds.

Yes,12 years ago Allan Sod did ours.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I understand, but had I seen any artificial turf when I was looking to buy in TV I would have bought somewhere else. We are getting away from plastic bags, to be replaced by plastic grass?

Thanks for your reply. I would like to point out that plastic lawns and plastic bags are 2 very different animals. Plastic lawns are GOOD for the reasons that I mentioned in my prior reply. Plastic BAGS are VERY different and YES ......they are bad. Plastic LAWNS do not blow around and get caught tangled up with a bird or other animal. Plastic lawns do NOT end up in lakes or the ocean to cause problems. I believe that they are superior than grass for the environment. Rock gardens are also better. Even The Villages uses low growing plants that require cutting only once per month as permanent accents.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I understand, but had I seen any artificial turf when I was looking to buy in TV I would have bought somewhere else. We are getting away from plastic bags, to be replaced by plastic grass?

Agreed. And what about all of the FOSSIL FUELS needed to produce the PLASTIC grass? I'm sure there would be no environmental impact there, right?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

As for astroturf-type lawns - if it's a small lot, it can be made to look lovely. Upsides: no fertilizer needed. If you get insects on them, just spray them off with the hose - no pesticides needed. No mowing, no blowing, no edging, no maintenance. Dogs are less likely to poop on astroturf than they are the neighbor with real plant lawns. Also, astroturf can be made from recycled plastic, so no need for new "virgin" petroleum materials.

Some of them are soft enough to sit on them, which would make old fashioned picnics, and outside yoga and pilates exercise a more practical and attractive option than with the typical Florida lawn materials, which can be so harsh and sharp you can't even stand on them barefoot without getting indentations in the bottom of your feet (if the fire ants don't get to you first).

[DARFAP]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

2-3 years ago we were looking at homes in Harbor Hills and noticed that they were now using St. Augustine. Were told that this was now the preferred grass. Zoysia was not doing well.

St Augustine grass very native to Florida. If the OP has problems, make sure they have a yard service to regularly treat it.