Everything You Need to Know About AstroTurf

Picture it: An experimental research lab run by Monsanto, early 1960s. Scientists wearing lab coats and (I assume) cool-looking glasses are trying to come up with novel products that will not just change society but improve it—more nutritious foods, household cleaners that work harder and faster, and even, in one special case, make it easy to play football or host a garden party with no watering required.

We’re talking about artificial grass, commonly referred to as AstroTurf—the name it was given when first trademarked and installed on the campus of a Quaker school in Providence, R.I. in 1965. Turf has gotten a bad rap over the years, both from sports purists who insist football and baseball should be played on real grass and from design aficionados who associate it with a kind of Vegas retirement community vibe (obviously I have no particular stake in the former debate, and I think the latter is truly an ideal aesthetic). Now, though, an increasing number of homeowners and renters are turning to artificial grass for their own outdoor spaces. A recent report from the Synthetic Turf Council says that in 2020, the market for artificial grass in California was worth nearly $3 billion dollars. If you’re working with a relatively small space, artificial grass might be a good fit—it’s easy to install, it’s easy to maintain, and it never turns brown.

Before we get into it, though, we should talk about the science of turf and what we know about it. Some cities have banned or limited the use of artificial grass, particularly on high-use playgrounds, due to the presence of PFAS compounds, a class of chemicals used to resist water and heat damage. PFAS compounds are sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some turf manufacturers are working to remove PFAS from their products, while others suggest the numbers present are relatively low. 

A recent NIH study points out that chemicals found in artificial grass, particularly in the recycled tires that often make up a crucial part of artificial grass infill, are known carcinogens, but more studies are needed to determine what kind of impact they might have on humans and animals, and a similar study done by the Washington State Department of Health came to a similar conclusion, suggesting that anyone who plays soccer or football on artificial grass take risk-mitigation steps like hand-washing and removing shoes after play. Turf, as a synthetic material, gets hotter than natural grass, and if your space gets a lot of direct sunlight and you want to use it as a play or recreation area, that’s an issue to consider when deciding whether or not to go artificial. 

Keep reading for what to consider, what to buy, and when to call in an expert as you transform outdoor space into an oasis of perpetual green.

Is artificial grass right for me?

 "Anyone who wants to spend less time watering grass should definitely look into turf," says Gregg Photias of La Quinta, California-based Vision Turf & Lighting. Less time watering grass also means less water used watering grass, especially appealing to those interested in conserving water, especially in states that skew dry. Some backyards, too, make keeping real grass looking green and fresh a challenge. "In my backyard," says Melissa Smrekar, a writer and creative consultant who chronicles the journey of her Dallas, Texas "‘mid-mod Barbie dreamhouse" on Instagram, "old trees cast looming shadows that render it all-but-impossible to grow thick, lush natural grass."

The lack of water needed means turf is also a good option for anyone with an outdoor space they don’t want to get wet on a regular basis—think wood decks and stone patios, which can both sustain damage from long-term sprinkler use. You can put turf pretty much anywhere, too, making it a good choice for spaces that might be difficult to irrigate or mow regularly. 

How to buy it, install it, or have someone do it for you

Putting in artificial grass on top of a paved patio or a balcony is a very easy DIY project. One artificial grass convert I spoke to said her husband put in turf next to their rock driveway, and their family was able to start enjoying their new yard immediately. Most hardware and garden supply stores carry a variety of turfs, some more natural looking than others. Personally, I’d lean into the "artificial" part of "artificial grass" and get this pink version, but there are plenty of green options at a variety of price points, some as low as $2 a square foot. Adding turf to a lawn that used to hold sod is a more complicated process, and Photias suggests one best left for the pros—a lawn of about 700 square feet is a project he says should take about a day. 

Keeping it fresh

Artificial grass requires less upkeep than sod, but that doesn’t mean it’s a completely "set it and forget it" material. Photias notes that you have to think about the use of your new faux-lawn: "If you’re going to have kids play on the grass, and pets run around, and you’re grilling and hanging out, it’s going to wear down faster than if it’s decorative," he explains. For artificial grass that gets a lot of use, it may be worth having a professional check it out once a year or so. Otherwise, a standard rake and a few minutes of fluffing will keep it looking full.

A note on pets: artificial grass is hugely popular with dog owners, and there are grasses made with pets in mind that are treated with coating that repels odor and bacteria.

Making it look good

As technology advances, artificial grass has gotten increasingly realistic-looking, but when it comes to styling your new turf, don’t stress about trying to make it look "perfect"—that kind of defeats the purpose, no? For people who genuinely enjoy gardening and plant care (couldn’t be me!), think of turf as a great way to let you spend more time doing what you love and less time worrying about grass length and maintenance—a patch of artificial grass surrounded by potted plants or even a succulent garden will make the mix of real and faux feel intentional. If you truly want your outdoor space to be a "set it and forget it" kind of thing, might I suggest leaning into the vintage-y aspect of turf? Think brightly-colored chairs, a fun umbrella, and a mid-century-inspired bar set for a Palm Beach-in-the-city scene.

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