There is little we can do about the soil our lawn lies on; I am unfortunate that my lawn sits on clay soil, and every gardener understands the difficulties of having a lawn on clay soil, not to mention its inability to withstand foot traffic.
My lawn tends to get soft during the winter, and even my dog easily rips off the tuft. A messy ripped, and boggy lawn is not a suitable playground for your kids.
So, I resorted to using grass protection mesh but did using a grass protection mesh work resolve my misery?
Let’s find out ‘does grass protection mesh work? But before we answer the question, let’s understand what grass protection mesh is.
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What is grass protection mesh?
This life-saving plastic mesh, also known as grass protector, has rescued many homeowners from having a churned, unsightly lawn.
The heavy-duty plastic mesh protects your lawn without seeming unsightly. As your grass grows, it will intertwine with the meshwork, giving it a natural look.
Furthermore, its porous nature makes it excellent for installation on existing grass.
A grass guard is typical in parking lots, parklands, and pedestrian walkways. The grass guard has proven to keep your lawn in peak shape by protecting grass from wear and mud caused by high foot and car traffic thanks to its durability and flexibility.
Does grass protection mesh work?
Lawns are loved by everyone, from pets to humans, but they are usually fragile, and damage to the grass is something that all lawn enthusiasts despise.
Still, it is nearly difficult to avoid in regions with high foot traffic. As a result, if you want a lawn that is comfy all year, safeguarding it is essential, and a protection mesh is the best way to go.
It is inexpensive and straightforward to use.
When you install grass protection mesh on your grass, it strengthens it. The grass grows through the spaces, connecting with the mesh filaments, creating stability by keeping the roots close to the ground and providing efficient attachment to the grassroots.
Why use a grass protection mesh
Besides weeds and tuft diseases, heavy traffic on lawns is another overlooked factor damaging many cherished lawns.
Heavy foot traffic can cause wear and tear on your lawn, creating bald areas. Fortunately, using a grass protection mesh won’t have to worry about foot traffic causing wear and tear on your lawn.
The grass protection mesh distributes the weight of the load, reducing the damage that would otherwise be directly received by your grass.
By doing so, less weight will be immediately applied to the grass. When the mesh is in place, you won’t have to worry about parking your car on the lawn.
However, once the protective mesh is installed, you will have to live with the odd appearance of your lawn for a few weeks. But, once established, you will be unaware of the mesh’s existence.
The mesh will allow the grass to grow and blend in with the lawn after installation. You’d never realize there was a mesh on your lush lawn.
The nature of the mesh allows your grass to grow because of its open structure design. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about water clogging your lawn.
The open structure of the grass protection mesh will grant water access to your lawn, allowing the roots to receive the water as they would without the structure.
So, the mesh will ensure your lawn stays fresh and vibrant while keeping it anchored.
In addition to good anchorage, the mesh manipulates the grass runners to grow within the spaces, as a result, your grass grows thicker and more robust.
While offering the roots of the grass grow more robust due to the minimized disruption making it stronger.
How to install grass protection meshwork
Installation of the grass protection mesh is the most critical process for you to get the best results. Luckily the protective grass mesh is easy to install if you follow the guidelines below.
Step 1 : Prepare the Lawn
The first and most crucial step is to prepare your lawn and ensure it is adequately drained before unrolling the grass protection mesh. This allows the mesh to make firm contact with the ground, making it more stable.
Remember to begin this operation during the grass’s optimum growing season. While you’re about it, ensure to level any bumps and fill any minor dips in your lawn.
Reseed any bald patches as well. Make sure to repair any lawn abnormalities before unrolling the mesh on the lawn.
Step 2 : Unroll the Protection Mesh
Now you can unroll the protection mesh, but while doing so, you have to do it gently to avoid rutting.
Unroll the mesh and loosely attach it with pins to allow the mesh to flatten out to its natural length. This will vary with the temperature of your local area.
Meanwhile, get prepared to trim the mesh to fit your lawn.
See also: best lawn fungicide for brown patch
Step 3 :Lay It
After you have the desired length of the mesh lay it right above the grass.
The mesh needs to be close to the grass as possible and to achieve this, you will have to drive the metal pins that are usually sold with the grass mesh.
Ensure the pins and the mesh are well below ground level to avoid trip hazards.
Check the mesh for any irregularities and gaps. Tack the gaps with more metal pins and ensure its tightly fixed.
See also: Lawn mats for heavy equipment
Pros and cons of a grass mesh
The grass mesh works, but it has benefits and drawbacks.
Aside from preserving your lawn, what makes grass mesh appealing is that homeowners can easily install it themselves. It also decreases water runoff while being visually appealing.
One disadvantage of the grass mesh is that you may not be able to operate a snow plow over it.
Furthermore, you will be required to purchase a sufficient number in order for it to fit your lawn.
See also: How long stay off new grass
So, does grass protection mesh work? You now have your answer.
However, with a little effort and attention, you should ensure that your grass mesh is installed correctly to protect your grass from wear and tear.
I hope this essay has dispelled any misconceptions concerning grass protection mesh.
Try out the grass protection mesh, and let me know what you think in the comments section. A good lawn shows no signs of wear.
Reference
Fairbanks Green Infrastructure Project: Grass Reinforcement Mesh