"Permanent" lawn?

Check out the following link for a compelling debate about what makes something "GREEN" in this new green movement in which we all now live. I've actually worked on a residential project where we priced-out this new generation of artificial grass. The homeowners were interested in exploring it for their shady backyard where the challenged lawn also competes with four young kids and two dogs. I do have to admit, I'm a purist when it comes to design, but this new product is amazingly close to in texture, color and quality of experience to the real thing. I'm not sure I'll ever be specifying it for a design, but there definitely is an appropriate time and place for its implementation.

Ultimately the high initial cost of the permanent grass was the deciding factor for these homeowners. We ended up sodding, with the idea that there will need to be ongoing sod/seed replacement depending on how the lawn is used and abused.

Be sure to follow the Slate.com link in the article for a more detailed analysis of the debate.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/87229677.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU