November 08, 2022

A lot of Metro New York homeowners adore artificial turf for its ability to withstand bad weather and emerge from winter appearing great. You will not have to stress out about frost damaging your grass, but there are a handful of steps to follow over the winter to ensure your synthetic grass is in its best condition for spring. Read further to find out more.

TOP QUESTIONS

Let’s kick it off with a few of the most common questions we get as we install artificial turf in Metro New York. Especially questions regarding caring for your turf in the freezing weather.

WHAT DOES SNOW DO TO SYNTHETIC TURF?

Snowfall will not have a major influence on your artificial turf. It is completely fine to walk or play on it if there is a covering of snow. The blades might mat down under the weight of the snow, but it typically bounces back up on its own or, in some rare situations, with a bit of additional help from a power broom. Snow will not modify the color or impact the synthetic yard.

WILL FROST HURT MY SYNTHETIC TURF?

No, frost won’t hurt synthetic turf. The grass fiber blade does freeze in severe conditions, walking on it while it’s winter will not cause any issues. When spring comes and there’s no additional chance of frost, you can utilize a firm broom to help it back to life.

DO I HAVE TO COVER MY SYNTHETIC TURF?

You don’t need to cover your synthetic grass, but you definitely can if an abnormally rough winter is forecasted in Metro New York. Just remember that you will not need to cover sections that are being used because ice might make tarps slippery and hazardous to walk on.

CAN I SHOVEL SNOW OFF ARTIFICIAL TURF?

No, you have to avoid shoveling snow from your turf unless totally necessary. If you must clear a path, go with a handheld blower to get rid of any debris or snow.

CAN I USE SALT OR ICE MELT ON MY TURF?

You should not use any ice melt salt on your synthetic turf. Salt can obstruct up the holes in the backing system and badly affect your yard’s drainage capacity. The harsh salt and chemicals can also degrade the backing system, resulting in turf blades that start separating from the backing. We strongly recommend you to let snow melt naturally for the best results.

WILL SNOW MELT QUICKER ON ARTIFICIAL TURF?

Artificial grass surfaces can get warmer compared to regular grass, which means that an inch or two of snow will melt more quickly than it would on organic turf. Because artificial turf is equally distributed, it allows improved aeration to hasten the snow-melting process.

DOES SYNTHETIC TURF GET ICY?

Not really, however, just like natural grass, some artificial surfaces can become slippery when ice forms. So, you must use the same care you do walking on any wintery surface, essentially if Metro New York has been experiencing freezing rain.

WHAT STEPS SHOULD I TAKE BEFORE SNOWFALL?

You should surely do a nice autumn maintenance routine prior to any snowfall. Removing organic materials like branches, leaves, etc., are essential. You can learn more about our full guide for cleaning your synthetic lawn to get details on what to do. Performing Southwest Greens maintenance in the spring is always a great time, ensuring your turf is ready for the warmer months to come.