The reward for diligently installing brand new turf in your yard is the satisfaction of smooth, beautifully perfect grass. If you have children or pets, you know that they will appreciate having a place to run and play. Your choice of putting in that new lawn will end up fitting the bill for everyone.
But did you know in addition to looking wonderful and feeling pleasant to bare feet, turf grass has additional points in its favor? Take a look at these surprising benefits your new lawn provides.
Grass Helps Cool the Air
A grass lawn is able to literally cool the surrounding environment. Grass dissipates the water present in the surrounding soil into the air. This phenomenon is called evapotranspiration and is responsible for eliminating around half of the sun's heat that shines on the ground.
Additionally, grass cools the air by absorbing solar radiation during photosynthesis rather than reflecting it away, which can make a surface feel hotter. You've probably felt the difference in temperature when you first stand on a large concrete expanse and then move to a grassy area.
To put into perspective the ability of grass to lower temperatures, consider the following comparisons:
- A synthetic turf is unable to conduct evapotranspiration despite the fact it resembles grass. The maximum surface temperature of this artificial surface hovers around 158 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A yard consisting of bare, dry dirt and no plant life such as weeds reaches 102 degrees.
- Finally, a grass turf like Bermuda grass brings the maximum daily temperature down to 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
No wonder why kids and pets gravitate to lawns. Not only is grass beautiful and soft, but it feels cooler on a hot day.
Grass Helps Control Weeds
Georgia climate offers landscapers the opportunity to grow a variety of plants and flowers easily. Unfortunately, abundant rain and mild winters mean that weeds are doing their best to grow like crazy, too.
If you don’t use herbicides and other chemicals to control weeds and you don't own a tractor mower, then you can rely on your lawn for help. A sparse lawn or one that starts from seed is not as effective at controlling weeds.
The thicker and healthier your lawn, the better it will be at preventing weeds from germinating and growing. Your newly installed sod lawn is at its peak in terms of thickness and health and acts as a blanket to block any sunlight from reaching weeds.
Here are some weeds commonly found in Georgia that are particularly difficult to eradicate if allowed to gain a foothold:
- Crabgrass
- Cheatgrass
- Carpetweed
- Ragweed
Fortunately, these and other weeds and undesirable grasses are unable to germinate and grow in the first place when turf is in place.
Grass Provides Added Curb Appeal
If you plan to sell your home soon, new grass will increase the curb appeal of your home. Realtors tell sellers that curb appeal is important to buyers, and a turf investment is one that can get your home noticed.
If you plant to wait a few years before selling, starting with a new turf lawn now is still a good idea. Because your lawn is healthy and already established, it's easier to perform regular maintenance simply to keep the grass looking great. Compare this with trying to grow from seed and build from there.
When you do finally list your home, realtors stress the importance of performing simple lawn maintenance to get your lawn ready for the market. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, doing so increases your ROI by as much as 267%.
If you feel the time has come to improve the appearance of your yard by installing new turf, discuss which grass choice is best for you at Novasack Turf Farm.
