At Resource Central, we help Colorado residents make waterwise choices for their landscapes. If you’re considering alternatives to a traditional lawn, our free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations and Lawn Replacement program offer innovative, climate-friendly solutions for our region.
We all know it can be tricky to maintain a healthy-looking lawn in our dry climate, so some people have grown curious about artificial turf. Compared to turf grass, artificial turf stays green year-round, is lower-maintenance, and doesn’t need to be watered (except to cool or clean it off).
However, there are many downsides to artificial turf:
- It can get as hot as 160 degrees!
- It blocks soil from receiving nutrients
- It creates an unlivable habitat for bees and worms
- It causes microplastic pollution
- It typically can’t be recycled
- It’s difficult to clean off pet waste and debris
Consider these conservation-friendly options instead:
- If you want lower-maintenance options, try combining native grass, mulch, hardscape, xeriscape, and/or waterwise kits from Garden In A Box
- If you want green year-round, try evergreen shrubs or evergreen ground cover plants
Ditching turf grass doesn’t mean giving up on a beautiful yard. Our water conservation programs make it easy for you to create a resilient, waterwise landscape that supports pollinators and thrives season after season.
