Fake Grass Company: Sales Up 220 Percent — Artificial Lawns Prove People Don’t Like Mowing

People with real grass lawns — especially large ones — know the time and care it can take to keep a lawn neat, manicured and well-kept. As reported by Newser, a single mother with five children recently went to jail for her overgrown lawn, a move that caused quite a bit of buzz online.

Maybe that mother will consider joining many others who’ve switched to fake lawns after deciding that the time, effort and expense that it takes to mow a real lawn isn’t always worth it. And fake, green, lush lawns aren’t always immediately recognized as such, considering the advances that have been made in artificial lawn fibers.

There exist what appear to be ryegrass blades and other real grass-types that are actually synthetic fibers made in China or Belgium. As reported by the Daily Mail, the artificial lawns can look pretty close to the real thing. But they are anything but real grass. In fact, they are often made from recycled plastic bottles — and the sales of such fake grass is on the rise.

The reasons for consumers wanting to purchase fake grass instead of trying to tend to real grass are numerous. First off, lots of folks have known the trouble that can come with trying to apply fertilizer at just the correct temperature or climate and when the grass is at the proper level of moisture, only to have the fertilizer kill grass that has been cut too short. Folks know how real grass can die when garbage cans or large toys are placed atop it for a long period of time.

Real grass needs to be thatched and have weeds extracted from it.

There are also the grass-soaking instances that come along with heavy rains, which can make for slippery surfaces that put the lawn out of commission for properties that get easily waterlogged. However, hypoallergenic turf with rocks beneath have represented the solution for one family who wanted to give their children a dry and safe area upon which to play sports in their yard.

The Fayetteville Observer notes how Matt Horn used Forever Lawn artificial turf for the outdoor portion of his lawn for kids to play soccer upon — and used the same turf for the area where the adults could entertain guests. That way, instead of a water-soaked lawn that had to be avoided for days after it rained, the Horn Family gained a yard that could be used all the time.

Despite some consumers viewing the artificial lawn as a saving grace, the fake grass isn’t sitting well with everyone, according to the Guardian. Experts on the environment have issued warnings that replacing real grass with fake grass is a trend that could hurt wildlife. The publication reports a 220 percent uptick in sales of the fake grass.

Whether the artificial lawns are placed along city streets or on school playgrounds and in private home yards, the grass made of plastic can be a threat to bees, birds and butterflies. Unlike dealing with real grass, the fake grass doesn’t represent a biodegradable substance.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, some readers who’ve observed the fake grass lining some suburban streets are having a mixed reaction to the artificial lawns. While certain folks think the fake grass is beautiful, others call it creepy.

“I don’t think the fake grass will look that clean and green for long and, for me, there’s something creepy about the way it pretends to be something it’s not. Native plants would be much prettier and easier/quieter to maintain.”

“Home owners struggle with grass here, soooo…get the fake stuff..they sell it at Costco here!!!!”

“It’s so beautiful.”

[Photo by Vadim Braydov/AP Images]