Classic Lawns & Artificial Turf

        Many who move to California from other states where full, lush green lawns are just the norm fear they may have to give that up due to dry local climates and scarcity of water - but this need not be the case. With a little effort and investment, you can create a grassy "classic lawn" on your lot that will remain healthy and vibrant for the long term.

        How do you create the perfect natural turf lawn in your own back (and front) yard? First of all, you need to map out exactly which areas will be covered with grass and how that will interact with pavements, paving stones and walkways, decks and patios, fences, pools, gravel or pebbles, well mulched trees, flowers, and plants, and other landscaping elements. Carefully plan out your hardscapes and softscapes to achieve a good balance both for aesthetics and functionality.

        Next, it's important that all areas to be planted with turf or grass seed be fitted out with a good irrigation and drainage system in advance. This will ensure your yard can stay healthy and strong for years or decades to come, with regular maintenance.

        Finally, take care in choosing which grass type(s) you use and in selecting drought resistant plants, many of which are native to California, to make your classic lawn hardier and more eco-friendly.

        Here are some of the most drought resistant types of grass, or "turf grass," that you might consider:

        Of course, there are other specific grass options as well. Bluegrass of some variety is most commonly used for lawns in the US, and you may prefer it - and that's fine. But mixing in some more drought tolerant varieties at least in certain parts of your yard would still be a good idea. When choosing a grass, you have to think about its tolerance of shade vs sun, heat and cold, irrigation requirements (how "thirsty" it gets), how fast it grows, how thick of a lawn covering it produces, and how well it stands up to foot traffic.

        It can take an expert landscaper to identify which grasses would most thrive in each particular situation. And there are specific requirements for getting the turf well established and keeping it healthy through future lawn care as well. We can help you make a decision you won't regret and give you key advice on how to make your lawn lush and beautiful for the long term.

        You may also want to add tall grasses for edging and decoration in certain parts of your lawn. For this, consider native grasses like carexpansa, California/Red Fescue, or purple needle grass. And for non-grassy ground cover, you can add plants like creeping thyme, sand strawberries, and yerba buena - none of which require a lot of water to keep healthy.

        Another solution to saving water and avoiding the chores and expense of continually watering, fertilizing, and mowing your lawn is to install some form of artificial turf. Today, there are many options here - not just the original AstroTurf, which is focused on sports field needs. There are varieties of artificial turf that cater to the needs of home owners who care about authentic look, feel, durability, and safety for pets and kids to play on.

        Synthetic grass is made to look and feel like the real thing, and manufacturers have taken every objection to "fake grass" into account. For example, there are brands and types that will not absorb animal waste and other elements so as to become discolored and poorly odored. There are even special cleaning products for artificial turf that will clean away pet mess and neutralize the odor, while avoiding toxic or non-biodegradable ingredients.

        Additionally, you can find products that are UV ray resistant, won't easily tear, are soft and non-abrasive on the skin, resistant to heat and to frost, perforated for superior drainage, are lead and heavy metal free, and that offer numerous other desirable features..

        A landscaping expert that specializes in artificial turf products can help you survey the modern market to find a product that fits your needs and budget. Common reasons to buy artificial turf include:

• Safety. It is non-toxic and safe for kids and pets. It is designed to help prevent slips and falls - it's often safer to walk on than even natural grass! And remember that there are no pesticides, weed killers, or fertilizer that has to be used on artificial turf - so it's more non-toxic than real grass too.
• Low maintenance. There's little to nothing you need to do to keep up appearances with your artificial turf. It doesn't need to be watered, and the rain is going to wash it for you. If any part of it is ever damaged somehow, it's easy to fix it quick.
• Always green. Your yard can be green and beautiful all year round with artificial grass. The seasons simply do not affect it.
• Cleaner house. You're not going to get bare spots or have dirt and dust protrude through your artificial grass. And that's going to cut way down on how much dirt or mud gets tracked into your house.
• Save water & the environment. Real grass takes up a lot of water. In fact, around a third of US household water consumption goes to give the lawn a drink! Also, chemical put on grass to kill bugs and weeds and to fertilize it can seep into local bodies of water and cause algae overgrowth. And you have to burn gas to mow it too. All of that is gone with artificial turf.
• Save money. Less water use and not needing a lawn mower is not only going to save the planet, but it will save your bank account too! As water continues to get more expensive and water use restrictions hit during the hot, dry summers, artificial grass makes more and more sense.
• Increase property value. As artificial turf rises in popularity, its benefits are seen by many as a selling point. That boosts your home or business' property value if you decide to list it.
• Home putting green. Many homeowners in California love to golf! And even if the whole lawn is not done in artificial sod, covering a part of it in it will create a wonderful at-home, personal putting green so you don't always have to get out to the golf course to practice or have a friendly game.

        There are pros and cons to the environment for both real and imitation grass, and the great debate over which is "greener" may never be fully resolved. But it's good to compare both types of turf on the eco-friendliness scale before making a final decision.

        Real grass obviously has in its favor that it is a natural plant that forms a part of your yard's miniature eco-system. Artificial turf is produced from petrochemicals in a factory, while real turf grows from a seed. It's obvious which is the more renewable, earth-friendly resource in this sense.

        But, classic lawns also require lots of water, which puts a strain on the local supply (and on your monthly utility bills!). Mowing requires use of gas and oil, which adds to your carbon footprint. And chemicals put on the lawn to care for it might find their way into local ponds, rivers, and creeks.

        Thus, neither solution is 100% eco-friendly, but both have their positive sides. You can be good to the environment either way, if you care for your real grass lawn well or if you go with artificial grass.

        Also, by using decomposed granite, redwood bark ("gorilla hair"), drought tolerant plants and bushes, hardscapes, and other landscaping elements, you can limit the space taken by just grass. This can add beauty to your lawn, while saving you money and easing up on the environment all at the same time!

        You can make your turf, be it artificial or living turf, a key component of your landscaping and even the main component - but it certainly is not the only component. And every element can contribute to the beauty, practical usability, durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness of your lawn and all of your outdoor spaces.

        We at The Landscape Expert are fully aware of the competitive nature of landscaping services in Southern California. We work hard every day to give you good reason to choose us over the competition! And our high customer satisfaction rates, consistently and overwhelmingly positive online reviews, and the large number of new clients we get on referral from past clients indicates we are accomplishing our goal.

        Our staff has many decades of combined landscaping experience across the full gamut of service areas. We don't just do one specific are of landscaping but handle it all for you. We are a true one stop shop for renovating and rejuvenating your outdoor areas!

        The Landscape Expert is 100% licensed, bonded, and insured. We are not a "fly by night" company but have deep roots in local Orange County and L.A. Area communities.

        You can view our many examples of beautiful past lawn and landscape projects online in our photo gallery. We are proud of the excellence we pour into everything we do as a company and always uphold a high work ethic. We landscape your lawn like we would want it done for us, were our roles reversed.

        Also, we are keen to customize our services to the exact needs and preferences of each and every client. One size does not fit all, but turf and landscaping is a very unique and personalized type of undertaking. We understand that and help you visualize what your lawn will look like when it's done before we begin and help you turn your landscape vision into a living and lasting reality you can be proud of!