Playing sports is a cornerstone of our society. Not only are they great fun, but they have numerous physical benefits as well as being extremely good for your mental health. And playing sports has been proven to directly improve your memory, information cohesion, and understanding as well as improving decision-making abilities.
It is no wonder people are always out kicking a ball around or hitting the tennis courts. Nothing brings people together quite like sports. And one of the best places to play is in the comfort of your own garden. So today we are going to answer the question of if you should put Astroturf in your garden.
What It Is
Astroturf itself is actually a brand name for a specific company. But, like Hoover or Jacuzzi, the name has become synonymous with the product itself. To the point that all artificial turf is often called astroturf. The product itself is a synthetic form of turf that acts like more solid grass and soil, without any of the dirt or stains associated with them. It is often made of extremely stable and firm materials that are still spongy enough to soften any falls.
Astroturf is popular with schools or indoor training facilities. Places where it isn’t feasible to have soil. It is also often used in stadiums for specific sports.
The Benefits
Astroturf has a number of benefits that make it ideal for playing sports. The first being the lack of mess associated with it. Normally, playing on a grass pitch leads to strains all over your nice uniform. And not to mention the amount of dirt that gets stuck in your football boots. When on astroturf you don’t have to worry about the whole adidas vs nike soccer cleats argument as any old boots will work on this surface.
Astroturf is also a lot safer. This is a great incentive for having it in your garden. Compared to a concrete surface, an astroturf has a significantly lower chance of causing any serious harm. At most someone is going to graze themself or get a nasty bump on the head. But that can happen on any surface. Astroturf is also very resistant. Designed to be battered and bruised, it can survive impacts from hockey sticks, tennis balls, strong cleats, and stormy weather.
Astroturf is also quite decorative. Unlike soil and grass, it doesn’t die out in the winter or suffer from natural wear and tear from people walking across it. So you could even use it as a simple decorating tool for your garden.
The Cons
But there are a few things to consider before you install any astroturf in your garden. Firstly, it isn’t cheap. If you want a proper fitting big enough to play sports on, you may need to fork out a fair bit of money. We aren’t talking bank-breaking amounts. But more than a simple patio.
Secondly, you have to commit to it. Unlike a normal soil garden, Astroturf is a one-state sort of thing. If down the line, you suddenly want to start growing flowers or installing a vegetable garden in the area where your astroturf is, you may be out of luck unless you are willing to fork out a small fortune. Removing astroturf would then require you to entirely repave or re-soil your garden and start from the beginning.
Overall we think astroturf is a sound investment for your garden if you are planning to play a lot of sports regularly. It can also be used as an outdoor gym or entertainment area.
