General Discussion

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

90. It would be hard to think of an artificial lawn because when it does rain, I want earth and plants

Wed Apr 15, 2015, 04:32 PM

Apr 2015

that will let the water into the earth and not just cause the water to run off. So it isn't so much the plastic or fabric green part that is the problem but rather what the webbing fabric is under it that might be impermeable to the natural water that needs to flow into the ground. Also I would be concerned about chemical run-off from the materials in the grass. These may not really be problems, but I would want to know about them.

The artificial grass would serve to keep the soil intact (prevent it from turning to dust, hopefully) and would retain some moisture under it. So those are positive aspects of using artificial grass.

But I would need to know a lot about it. I have seen it on some lawns in more affluent areas.

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People need to quit focusing so much on their stupid lawns. [View all] Kurska Apr 2015 OP

The only time we water our lawn is when we are under a fire threat. Behind the Aegis Apr 2015 #1

Look into buffalo grass JustAnotherGen Apr 2015 #41

it feels wrong to agree with you Kurska Scootaloo Apr 2015 #2

xeriscaping� Thanks for spelling it correctly for me... MrMickeysMom Apr 2015 #44

Grass lawns actually do serve a purpose Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #3

and suitable place for kids to play. playing in the cactus patch is not fun n t msongs Apr 2015 #4

Or on pavement Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #6

That's the only thing pipi_k Apr 2015 #51

My schoolyard/playground (1960s) was grass Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #70

Yes, but there are thirstier grasses... Blanks Apr 2015 #35

I don't disagree with that Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #40

ground covers like myrtle or pachysandra would do same. KittyWampus Apr 2015 #60

Ground covers do the same and don't require the waste of water. we can do it Apr 2015 #112

Some of it depends where you live. Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #5

Drought resistant gardens are the rule in my area of Los Angeles. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #10

I agree with you about desalination. Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #18

The time to plant is in the fall here. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #89

It also depends on where the water comes from Major Nikon Apr 2015 #34

Yeah, that makes sense, too. Warren DeMontague Apr 2015 #36

Actually 2naSalit Apr 2015 #49

Hah, not where I live! pipi_k Apr 2015 #52

Water in my area does not come from an aquifer Major Nikon Apr 2015 #56

And where it goes.... jberryhill Apr 2015 #55

I never water my lawn hollysmom Apr 2015 #7

does it have to be real grass? Revanchist Apr 2015 #11

It makes sense to me, certainly far better IMO than the rocks, looks like RKP5637 Apr 2015 #29

I don't live in a high drought area, we have occasional droughts and my grass survives hollysmom Apr 2015 #53

It would be hard to think of an artificial lawn because when it does rain, I want earth and plants JDPriestly Apr 2015 #90

Grow eatables. Downwinder Apr 2015 #8

I am in California. I and many of my neighbors have succulents in the JDPriestly Apr 2015 #9

Desalination is expensive. DetlefK Apr 2015 #20

How about solar powered desalination plants? Adrahil Apr 2015 #23

Not for 30+ million people. DetlefK Apr 2015 #25

With climate change this problem only gets worse. Adrahil Apr 2015 #27

Solar on our roofs that could feed into a central system would increase our solar capacity. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #92

There is a problem in where to put the resulting SALT. vanlassie Apr 2015 #69

This is the least problem. DetlefK Apr 2015 #72

We have solar energy potential that is not tapped. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #91

We need to look at the problem nationwide Retrograde Apr 2015 #88

Aquaponics in green houses can be used anywhere... Blanks Apr 2015 #99

Residential water use accounts for 10% of the total, in California. Spider Jerusalem Apr 2015 #12

next to lake michigan. tho we don't water the lawn. it had dandelions for the bees & other weed pansypoo53219 Apr 2015 #13

There used to be an elm tree in my yard when I was a kid Art_from_Ark Apr 2015 #15

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #14

Oh please. DetlefK Apr 2015 #21

Oh, Please. Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #59

as long as you're not a fan of it for your job either treestar Apr 2015 #73

Just think of all the jobs in the horseshoe-industry! DetlefK Apr 2015 #75

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #103

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #104

Just like all those poor workers who will lose their jobs thucythucy Apr 2015 #111

Transition to the care of lawns that support the local climate. Adrahil Apr 2015 #24

Often people plant things not indigenous to their local area. Often a lot of fertilizer, etc. is RKP5637 Apr 2015 #31

I don't think a lawn has to look like an abandoned lot to be environmentally sound. Adrahil Apr 2015 #32

Yep! Agree very much!!! n/t RKP5637 Apr 2015 #37

+1 n/t FSogol Apr 2015 #47

True. Everyone complimented my front lawn this year. And I plan to add more native plants JDPriestly Apr 2015 #94

I thought you were offering up the RWer argument as sarcasm at first. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2015 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #58

Depends on whose ox is being gored treestar Apr 2015 #74

Yes, we need to eliminate many industries. hunter Apr 2015 #48

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #61

How about pipi_k Apr 2015 #54

Did you tap this out on a telegraph? n/t Scootaloo Apr 2015 #63

...... Tree-Hugger Apr 2015 #64

- - - - - - Scootaloo Apr 2015 #66

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #71

Yup, I did. Scootaloo Apr 2015 #81

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #82

No, I just decided to stay on the topic you brought up initially Scootaloo Apr 2015 #84

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #85

This. nt Tree-Hugger Apr 2015 #113

Agra-Keynesian? That's a new one. Taitertots Apr 2015 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Sherman A1 Apr 2015 #79

The "point" is non-sense Taitertots Apr 2015 #97

pretty sure shanti Apr 2015 #86

I'm thinking of them so often. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #93

I agree get the red out Apr 2015 #16

totally agree with you KT2000 Apr 2015 #17

That's why we should create an industry around... Blanks Apr 2015 #38

Good thought but, haikugal Apr 2015 #87

I'd be willing to bet there'd be a lot less mowing... Blanks Apr 2015 #98

We think alike.. haikugal Apr 2015 #100

I use a double electric fence... Blanks Apr 2015 #106

Lawns help keep the soil from just blowing away. Other plants can help too. JDPriestly Apr 2015 #95

Depends on where you live Travis_0004 Apr 2015 #19

My front yard is one of the greenest on my block. hobbit709 Apr 2015 #22

They hold the soil, preventing erosion. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Apr 2015 #26

And healthy soil is a great carbon sink. kentauros Apr 2015 #80

Form must follow function...... DeSwiss Apr 2015 #28

Great links nil desperandum Apr 2015 #42

De nada. DeSwiss Apr 2015 #67

Totally agree gollygee Apr 2015 #33

I mow approx. 5 acres and I have a beautiful lawn. I never water my lawn, but I don't B Calm Apr 2015 #39

I have ZERO issue with lawns in places not experiencing drought. cherokeeprogressive Apr 2015 #43

Exactly. B2G Apr 2015 #45

Get off my lawn!!!!!!! stevenleser Apr 2015 #46

Then get the government to quit subsidizing the cost of water. TampaAnimusVortex Apr 2015 #50

I never water my "lawn." Jamastiene Apr 2015 #57

Where I live they do serve one purpose laundry_queen Apr 2015 #62

I always crack up over these lawn OPs. NutmegYankee Apr 2015 #65

I could never understand why people needed grass everywhere Skittles Apr 2015 #68

Golf courses and lawns. merrily Apr 2015 #76

Some areas romanic Apr 2015 #77

I don't have a lawn. Trillo Apr 2015 #83

I don't know anyone who water their lawns. PotatoChip Apr 2015 #96

Never. tazkcmo Apr 2015 #101

Agriculture needs to cut back. I don't water my yard. Vincardog Apr 2015 #102

"Vegetable Gardens not applicable to Draught Restrictions" HockeyMom Apr 2015 #105

GET OFF MY LAWN, YOU DAMN KIDS... madinmaryland Apr 2015 #107

I say allow us to garden veggie's Texasgal Apr 2015 #108

Great, now tell my Home Owner's Association so they won't send txwhitedove Apr 2015 #109

Not just water wasted.. fadedrose Apr 2015 #110