Can Weed Grow Through Artificial Grass?

Artificial grass is the perfect outdoor flooring solution for homeowners who want a lawn that is easy to maintain. You can clean your synthetic grass easily by sweeping the surface. Also, there is no need to spray artificial grass with chemicals to prevent diseases from affecting the turf.

Weeds sometimes affect carpet grass; that is why homeowners will spray it with chemicals to kill weeds. But can weeds grow through artificial grass carpets? That depends on how you install the turf. If not installed properly, weeds will grow through artificial grass carpet backing.

However, if you install your turf the right way, it is unlikely for weeds to grow through the grass.  

How Weed Can Grow Under Your Artificial Grass

The best way to prevent weeds from growing through natural carpet grass is to maintain it regularly. Homeowners must trim their natural turf with a lawnmower to clean the surface. Homeowners must also spray their carpet grass with chemicals to kill the weed.

But artificial grass is different from natural carpet grass. The selling point of artificial turf is easy maintenance, no weed growth and no wetting like real grass. So, spraying your synthetic grass to prevent weed growth is not an option. This is because artificial turf is not supposed to grow weed. 

But at times, weed seeds can blow on your synthetic grass, and if the condition is ripe, the seed will germinate. When this occurs, your artificial grass will grow weeds. Another way your synthetic grass can grow weed is when you or the turf installer don’t prepare the base well.

Weed seeds are present in the soil; if you don’t remove weed seedlings or roots properly, they can sprout in due time. This means that weed will grow through small holes in the backing of your turf. Weeds can also grow through the infill of your artificial turf if the seed you use for the infill of your artificial grass contains weed.

How to Prevent Weed from Growing Under Your Artificial Grass

To prevent weeds from growing under your artificial grass, you have to get the installation process right. This means that when preparing the sub-base of your artificial turf, you have to remove all traces of weeds. 

Clear the Area

Before you lay your artificial grass on the soil, you have to ensure that you prepare the base. This means using a shovel to remove a tree stump, grass, and other obstacles. If you want to install the turf on an existing lawn, you must ensure you remove the old turf before laying the new one. Once you do that, you will have a clear surface ready for the next step. 

Add Crushed Stones or Granite

To ensure a solid sub base to lay your artificial grass on, you must add crushed stones or granite to the surface. Afterward, you should compact the stones to the ground to form a strong base for your synthetic turf. The stones will also prevent any weed root or seed present in the soil below from growing through the grass. 

Add Weed Membrane 

After pouring crushed stones into your grass, you have to add an infill of sand to make your grass smooth when you walk on it. Tamper the sand infill like a crushed stone to make it stick to the ground. Note that the sand infill you add underneath your artificial turf can contain weed seeds or roots. This can make weeds grow under your synthetic grass when the seed germinates. So, you have to add a weed membrane to the sand infill before laying your turf. The weed membrane will prevent any weed seeds or roots present in the sand from growing through your grass. 

Brush Your Artificial Grass Regularly

Aside from installing your artificial grass properly to prevent weed growth, you have to take steps to remove any trace of weed present on the grass. Wind and humans can sometimes bring weeds to the surface of your grass. To stop the weed seeds from germinating, you have to brush your turf regularly with a stiff brush.

Handpick Weeds

If you discover weeds growing on the surface of your artificial turf, you have to handpick the weed to keep the top of your grass clean. 

Conclusion

Can weeds grow through artificial grass?

If you install your artificial turf properly, weeds will not grow on it. If not installed properly or if the wind blows weed seed on your grass, weeds can grow on artificial grass.