Artificial Turf

[bobm]

Mary, even the one who constantly opposes big ag manufacturing co. would applaud you since you will no longer be tempted to use chemical warfare products for lawns manufactured by agricultural chemical companies. But, wait for it ... then again , this artificial lawn is an oil derived product so she just may come down upon you for buying products manufactured by oil companies. Can't win for loosing ! So ..... Just GO FOR IT !!!

 

[seedcorn]

Wait! I'm not the contrary one???? I'm hurt! Dang it bay, see what you've adopted? A rable rouser! Causing problems! Dang southerners and adopted southerners!

 

[NwMtGardener]

So...i'll be the contrary one...haha. If my math is right and i understand what you said correctly, it's $3,000 for 200 sq feet of artificial turf, and that's the LESS expensive one?!?! Whoa doggies! What if you just landscaped with like, cool rocks or plants that didnt need mowing? Some of those low bunching native grasses look pretty cool planted in masses. I can definitely understand the desire to water less though. Just seems like a big investment.

 

[ninnymary]

NwMtGardener, I have thought about grasses and drought tolerant plants very carefully. The problem with those is that perennials need trimming so they are not always their best. Another hugh consideration is that that small square footage is divided in almost half by a sidewalk. The house is a victorian and is painted in 4 colors and it has a lot of different trims. It also has a bay window edged in different colored stained glass squares. All of this adds to a good busy look. Adding a mix of different plants would just be more busy. I think the expanse of artificial grass would bring some rest to the eyes.

I'm thinking there may be more than the one contrary person here after all.

Mary

 

[britesea]

I think the artificial grass is a wonderful idea. Back when I lived in CA, we had a pretty bad drought (this would be about 30 years ago now) and people were spraying their lawns with green paint! This sounds like a much better solution. Save your water for the important plantings.
I live out in the country and no one hardly comes out here (not even at Halloween)... we just have some xeriscaping and Darwinian landscaping (if it lives, it can stay)... the only stuff that gets watered is the veggie garden, the baby hazelnuts and the baby currants and gooseberries. Oh, and when I dump the ducks' water, I run it to the apple trees

 

[baymule]

Way cool! I had that stuff on my porch and it always looked so good. (until it wore out and I pulled it up) just sweep or blow it off and the yard will be done! Time for your DH to grab a cold one and put his feet up while he watches the football game! Be sure and post a picture so we can see your "green" yard! LOL LOL

 

[Nyboy]

How cool Mary Victorians should be painted many colors, thats why they are called Painted Ladies!! Can you write the grass off as a business exspense ?

 

[ninnymary]

Nyboy, that is what I am going to check today with our CPA. One of the reasons I'm doing it is because of my business. First impression to parents is everything! My husband says if we get the ok that we are going with the slightly higher bid. When we got this bid it was more than $1,000 higher and I causally mentioned that it was way over our budget and that the lower one was more reasonable. He thought about it for a couple of minutes and he said he could cut some corners to put it more in line with the lower bid. I made sure I would still get quality work and product. What I liked about him was that he is the owner of his business and came out to do the estimate. His product is also american made as opposed to china made. The lower bid was a much larger company who sends out estimators.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Nyboy, that is what I am going to check today with our CPA. One of the reasons I'm doing it is because of my business. First impression to parents is everything! My husband says if we get the ok that we are going with the slightly higher bid. When we got this bid it was more than $1,000 higher and I causally mentioned that it was way over our budget and that the lower one was more reasonable. He thought about it for a couple of minutes and he said he could cut some corners to put it more in line with the lower bid. I made sure I would still get quality work and product. What I liked about him was that he is the owner of his business and came out to do the estimate. His product is also american made as opposed to china made. The lower bid was a much larger company who sends out estimators.

Mary

My friend and her husband did the installation themselves to save money. He's very handy, not too many things he can't handle himself.

 

[ninnymary]

Thistle, we thought of that I even asked for bids where we would take out the soil but they didn't lower the price by much. There is 2 tons of soil to remove (4 inches) and then 2 tons of gravel to bring in. We don't know people who have those hugh trucks to haul and bring stuff in.

Well I talked to my realtor friend this morning and now I am confused and undecided again! Arg... He said fake grass is frowned upon and personally he would do drought tolerant plants. But since we plan to stay here awhile to go ahead and do it if it makes me happy. Well all I I I I need is a pretty front area to make me happy! (said as I stomp my foot ) Back to being undecided again.

Mary