A lush lawn is a gorgeous addition to any landscape, but in our region, upkeep is often easier said than done. Many culprits can be blamed for struggling lawns, including shallow soil, granite bedrock, and the countless pines that drop acidic needles making the soil’s pH levels incompatible with natural grass.
Thankfully there’s an alternative that looks like natural grass without the upkeep and worry. It’s time to take back your weekend.
“Artificial turf is a beautiful, maintenance-free way to elevate your landscape at home or the cottage,” says Drew MacIntosh, owner of Northern Turf Solutions.
While artificial turf is a popular solution for golf enthusiasts looking to add a personal putting green, it’s also ideal for dog runs, kid-friendly play spaces, and poolside landscaping.
In a recent project, Drew worked with landscapers to create a poolside turf design that would separate and accent the patio stones, and create a lush, green sitting area.
“We added artificial turf between the patio stones leading to our clients’ pool, and distinguished areas by using the turf as a visual outline,” says Drew. “Having real grass there would be nearly impossible to maintain. This design accented the stonework beautifully, and created a low-maintenance solution that is ideal for the whole family.”
The backyard design also included a custom golf green and multipurpose space for the couple to practice their putting and chipping between rounds, and the kids to run around without tracking dirt and grass into their pool.
“We’ve built putting greens and turfed backyards from 250 square feet to 11,000 square feet in size,” says Drew. “They feature artificial turf, but they certainly don’t look artificial.”
Drew and his team collaborate with their clients to create a design that works with the natural terrain, blending the turf into the landscape in a natural way.
In addition to looking natural, Drew notes that it’s important that your turf acts like natural grass, draining water to eliminate any buildup of moss, mould, or mildew.
At Northern Turf Solutions, every design is made using 100-percent North American-made artificial turf, which can drain up to 437 gallons of water per hour. This is why the manufacturer stands so strongly behind their 15 year warranty.
“Most turf can only drain 45 to 60 gallons of water in that same amount of time,” says Drew.
While most contractors look to save money by using silica sand to infill the turf, Drew believes this is where problems can arise. By using Envirofill which features Microban it helps to eliminate moisture buildup and kills off bacteria, especially in shaded areas.
“Our kids and pets roll around on our turf without any worries,” says Drew. “We only supply the best because we know it matters to families like ours. It’s time for us to help you take back your weekend so you can do the things you deserve to do.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
