Winter-Ready Lawns, Artificial Turf vs. Natural Grass in Philadelphia’s Snowy Season

Philadelphia typically receives between 20 and 25 inches of snowfall every year – a smaller amount than some of the cities further up the Eastern Seaboard but more than enough to cause a lot of inconvenience, particularly as the winter in eastern Pennsylvania can be so unpredictable! As a result, maintaining a lawn can be a real hassle for homeowners at this time of year and, across Philadelphia and the wider region, it’s no surprise that more and more people have been turning to artificial turf. But how, exactly, can turf make your life easier over the winter? And why is it such a game-changer compared to natural grass? That’s what we’re about to explore here…

Weather Resistance

It might look idyllic come Christmas Day, but if you’ve a sizeable amount of natural grass at your property, the sight of the white stuff starting to fall from the sky can quickly feel exasperating. Straight away, freezing is a very real concern, while prolonged snow – or snow that isn’t shovelled – can deprive grass of oxygen and sunlight, potentially causing it to die. The same can’t be said for turf, though. For one, it isn’t a living thing, so there’s no risk of it browning or, even worse, ceasing to function entirely. And even without you doing anything whatsoever, it’s likely that snow will disappear far quicker on a patch of turf than it would on a natural surface. Here at Goat Turf, not only does the turf we deploy boast a higher level of thermal conductivity than natural grass, it’s also equipped with a backing system which sees water drain through at a rate of 90 inches per hour, meaning it’s highly improbable you’ll encounter any pooling.

Simple Maintenance

If you’ve made it as far as this blog, you’re likely already aware that one of artificial turf’s greatest advantages is the fact it largely takes care of itself. As long as your turf has been installed professionally (or, at the very least, properly) you’ll have to do very, very little to make sure it makes it through the winter and looks as vibrant at the end of the season as it did at the start. Owing to one or two of the factors outlined above, natural grass can be left looking desperate going into the spring, and there’s every chance you’ll have to re-seed it. As turf obviously doesn’t have a growth cycle associated with it, you also won’t have to worry about mowing, fertilizing or watering – tasks which can all feel awkward or wearisome during the winter months. Similarly, while removing snow is a necessity when it comes to natural grass – it can be the difference between keeping it alive or not – you’re able to take a more relaxed approach with turf. It’d still be prudent not to let snow lie on your turf for too long, however, just so that its fibers aren’t at any risk of being flattened – something which can take the edge off your yard’s overall appearance. When you do clear snow away, make sure you use a plastic shovel – rather than a metal one – and avoid being overly vigorous with it.

Greater Durability

Philadelphia residents can usually expect to encounter 12 snowy days each year. However, even if they come one after the other, artificial turf is designed to hold up well. For one, it can withstand virtually any amount of foot traffic, unlike natural grass, where even moderate use can compact soil, damage blades and leave muddy patches as the snow begins to melt. As touched upon above, natural grass is also susceptible to freezing, potentially leading to its demise, while turf will remain flexible and intact even in some of the coldest temperatures. (If it doesn’t, it’s a sign that something’s wrong with your turf’s drainage system.) Furthermore, however severe winter conditions may be in Philly and eastern Pennsylvania, you can rest assured that your turf won’t need any extra time to get up and running again come the spring – when you’ll likely be starting to venture outside on a more regular basis and use your outdoor space for relaxing or entertaining. Even after some of the chores associated with natural grass maintenance have taken place – like re-seeding or fertilizing – you’ll still have to allow a period of time to pass before it’s looking presentable again, let alone using it for recreational purposes. Turf, though, retains its lush, alluring appearance all year round.

Get Set for Winter – and beyond – With Goat Turf

Here at Goat Turf, we’re hugely proud to be the leaders in artificial turf installation in Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania, and we’re passionate about enabling people to make the most of their outdoor spaces 12 months of the year. And the winter is a great time to be thinking about a project – not only can you reap the benefits of turf in the here and now, it’ll also give you much to look forward to in the New Year. Drop us a line now to see how we can help you.