Allergy Season? Here’s How Artificial Turf Can Help

We probably all know somebody who, sadly, dreads being outdoors in the finer weather. If you’re an allergy sufferer, what ought to be the best time of the year can easily turn into an ordeal, characterized by coughing, sneezing and red, itchy eyes, as well as a tendency to wish for the winter again! Natural lawns are among the biggest culprits when it comes to seasonal allergies, regularly having a severely restrictive effect on even the most basic of activities, like throwing a football around with a little one or firing up a BBQ.

So, what can you do? Well, making the switch to artificial turf can go a long, long way, here, we take a look at why.

No Pollen Production

Natural grass is a major producer of pollen, the very thing that’s most likely to lead to a full-blown allergy flare-up. Pollen grains are microscopic and easily spread, and they can linger on skin, clothes, furniture and even pets. Artificial turf, however, can be considered hypoallergenic; because it’s made up of entirely synthetic material, it doesn’t produce any pollen whatsoever. Furthermore, while pollen tends to settle on natural grass blades, especially as they grow, it’s far less likely to amass on turf (which, of course, doesn’t actually grow at all!) And even when a little bit of build-up does take place, it can easily be washed away with a gentle hose (or a splash of rain).

Reduced Weed Growth

It’s tempting just to look at weeds as an aesthetic issue, but they’re also a major trigger for allergy sufferers. Size-wise, weed pollen is very similar to grass pollen, while they usually bring about similar symptoms for those affected. Unfortunately, though, their seasons don’t necessarily overlap, weed pollen tends to be more prevalent slightly later into the year, meaning sufferers can feel like they’re hardly getting any respite. Happily, however, weeds find it far harder to get a look in with artificial turf. Here at Goat Turf, we’ve tried and tested methods of keeping weeds at bay, including SYNLawn’s EnviroLoc™ Backing System,  an extra layer installed beneath your turf which serves as our weed barrier of choice.

Mold and Mildew Resistant

Compared to grass pollen, for example, it mightn’t seem quite as obvious, but as many as one in ten Americans experience allergic reactions to mold spores. They thrive in natural grass, which retains moisture, and can form on blades, soil and roots. And the poorer the grass’ ability to drain, the more mold spores are likely to develop. One of turf’s greatest selling points, though, is that it comes equipped with a built-in drainage system, preventing water from pooling and meaning mold has little opportunity to take hold. The aforementioned EnviroLoc™ Backing System from SYNLawn has a proven drainage pattern capable of performing efficiently year after year, no matter what the temperature or weather conditions.

Lower Maintenance = Lower Exposure to Irritants

If you’re the owner of a natural lawn, you’ll likely be used to having to apply various sprays to help it grow and keep unwanted visitors away. Herbicides and pesticides obviously contain toxic components, which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat through inhalation, while any direct contact is liable to harm sensitive skin. Continued exposure can cause symptoms to worsen over time, especially for those with pre-existing medical conditions, like asthma. Thankfully, with artificial turf, there’s no need to use any herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers in the first place. As we’ve already said, creating a weed barrier is a staple of every turf installation, while the lack of any organic matter means there’s little to interest potential pests. And, of course, turf is guaranteed to remain lush and green all year round, meaning fertilizers are rendered totally pointless.

Get An Allergy-Free Lawn with Goat Turf

Here at Goat Turf, we’re huge on the power of being outside and know that every single outdoor space, every day, has the ability to make our lives better. Above all, we believe passionately that nobody should ever miss out on that. If there’s a risk of allergies keeping you cooped up for the summer, drop us a line and see how we can help. It could be the best thing you ever do!