Artificial turf installation in Boise, Idaho

Artificial turf installation in Boise usually starts with a homeowner who is tired of fighting a lawn. The grass burns out in July, the dog has worn a dirt track along the fence, or the side yard never gets enough water to stay green. Fake grass can solve those problems, but only if what's under it is built right. I'm Kabe Hockema, and I install synthetic turf the same way I build a patio: the base does the real work, and the turf is the finish on top.

When artificial turf makes sense

Turf is a good fit for some spots and a poor fit for others. It tends to work well for:

• Dog runs and side yards where real grass can't recover from traffic
• Small backyards where a mower and sprinklers feel like more trouble than they're worth
• Shady or oddly shaped areas where grass keeps dying
• Play areas and putting greens
• Homeowners who want to cut outdoor water use

It's a harder sell on a big, open lawn in full afternoon sun. Synthetic grass gets hot in a Boise summer, much hotter than living grass. If you want a large lawn to play on barefoot in August, I'll tell you that plainly, and sometimes sod installation is still the better call. Many yards end up with a mix: turf where the traffic is, plants and rock where it isn't.

What goes under the turf

Most turf problems you see around town are base problems. Lumps, dips, puddles and seams that pull apart all come from the ground below. Here is what happens before any turf goes down:

• Remove the old lawn and roots. I strip the grass and dig out several inches of soil so the new base sits at the right height next to patios and walks.
• Fix the grade. The surface needs a gentle slope so water moves off and away from the house. If the yard already drains poorly, I fix that first with yard drainage work.
• Build a crushed rock base. Crushed rock is angular gravel that locks together when packed. It goes down in layers, and I wet and compact each layer with a plate compactor so it won't settle later.
• Add weed barrier where it helps. Fabric can help, depending on the soil and what grew there before.
• Set the edges. The turf needs something solid to fasten to, like bender board, a concrete curb or a paver border.

How the install goes

Once the base is flat and firm, I roll out the turf and let it relax in the sun so the wrinkles flatten. Every piece has to run with its grain (the direction the blades lean) facing the same way, or the seams show. I trim the seams, glue them on seam tape, and nail the edges down.

Then the infill goes in. Infill is sand or coated granules brushed down between the blades. It weighs the turf down, holds the blades upright and shields the backing from sun. For dog areas, there are infills made to help with odor. Last, I power brush the whole area so the blades stand up.

Boise heat, wind and winter

A few Treasure Valley conditions change how I plan turf here:

• Heat. Turf next to a south or west wall can get very hot. I look at where the sun hits and may suggest a shade tree, a cooling infill, or keeping turf out of the hottest corner.
• Clay soil. A lot of Boise soil is heavy clay that drains slowly. A deeper rock base gives water somewhere to go so it doesn't pool under the turf.
• Freeze-thaw. Water that freezes in a soft base lifts it. A compacted, well drained base is what keeps the surface flat through winter.
• Wind. Loose edges catch wind and lift. Tight edges and good nailing keep them down.
• Sprinklers. Heads in the turf area get capped, and nearby beds may move to drip so they still get water.

What affects the cost of artificial turf in Boise

I don't quote a flat price per square foot without seeing the yard, because the base work changes from one site to the next. The biggest factors are:

• How many square feet you're covering, and how many curves and cuts it has
• How much digging and haul-off it takes to remove the old lawn
• Whether the grade or drainage needs fixing first
• Access for equipment, like a wide gate versus a narrow side yard
• The turf product and infill you choose
• Edging and any sprinkler changes

At a consultation I measure, look at the soil and drainage, and give you a clear scope.

Turf as part of a bigger yard

Turf looks best when it's one piece of a plan. I often pair it with drought tolerant beds, boulders and gravel, the kind of low-water design on my xeriscaping page, or with a full desert landscaping layout. Since I also build patios and walls, the turf can meet the hardscape at a clean edge instead of a patched one. You can see everything else I do on my landscaper page.

Where I install turf

I'm based in Boise and install artificial turf across the Treasure Valley, including Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, Kuna, Garden City and Hidden Springs. I also take projects in Sun Valley and Ketchum. I take on a limited number of jobs each season so I can run every one myself, and you get my direct number from the start.

If you want artificial turf installation in Boise that stays flat and drains well, schedule a consultation or call me at (541) 961-7269. I'll walk the yard with you and tell you straight whether turf is the right fit.