Central Turf and Irrigation adds Private Label Artificial Turf Program, Hudson Valley Turf and Ivy
Central Turf and Irrigation is pleased to announce the launch of our private label artificial turf program, Hudson Valley Turf and Ivy. The past several years have proven that artificial turf is gaining more and more traction and we are here to help you take the next step. In addition to being a top quality product our artificial turf stocking program gives us a competitive edge over others who need to have turf shipped in from other states, which takes a long time and is expensive. Learn more below as Dennis Garneau, Central’s Hardscape Category Director, walks you through getting to know Hudson Valley Turf and Ivy!
From Dennis
Hudson Valley Turf and Ivy products are perfect for general landscape applications, pet lawns and boarding facilities, putting greens, bocce courts, roof top lawns, playgrounds, activity areas and more. Artificial turf provides a low maintenance option that requires little to no water, no chemicals, no cutting or clipping, and no annual or semi-annual de-thatching, overseeding or aerating. A HVTI lawn will provide your customers with a green lawn, year around, that’s always ready for spring with NO mud or bare spots. Pets and kids will love it too. Muddy areas and bare spots are a problem of the past once your lawn is finished with artificial turf.
Maintaining your artificial turf lawn is easy and painless as well. A leaf blower or plastic leaf rake is perfect to remove any debris on the turf that has fallen from surrounding trees, shrubs or bushes. Pollen, dirt and dust will rinse away with the next rainfall. Food, spills, and pet waste can be washed and rinsed with any surface cleaner like Simple Green. Simply apply the cleaner, agitate the turf with a stiff bristle broom, and rinse thoroughly. The cleaning agents will clean the turf fibers then permeate through the turfs infill then through the stone base.
One featured application that is gaining more popularity is installing turf around swimming pools. And why not? Green and clean year around! No mowing, no clipping, no chemicals. You may ask, “but doesn’t artificial turf get hot in the summer?” Yes it does, but we carry an infill product called T Cool. T Cool is a coated sand that absorbs water, so that when the surface temperature of the turf gets to a certain point, the moisture being held within the infill product begins to evaporate and in the process, cools the turf down 30-40 degrees. T Cool is a must for all pool applications using HVTI products. To learn more visit www.tcoolturf.com
One of the best attributes of artificial turf is that it can be cleaned and disinfected, making it a healthier surface for pets, children or both. HVTI turf will remain clean and green all year around while giving your customers another product to install in the backyard.
The “non athletic field” portion of this industry boasts an annual market size of $2B and growing. These products are now mainstream for both commercial and residential applications. Please take the time to learn about this category and how we can add value to your ever-growing list clients. This is a great add on to a Hardscape company’s portfolio. The prep is close to what goes into a Hardscape installation such as pavers or natural stone base. Why wouldn’t you over prep a job and offer turf around that next install you have. The less maintenance you can offer a customer may make that decision much easier for your client to enjoy that backyard oasis.
Installation Practices
- Remove 3 – 4 inches of existing grass sod and dirt. Use a sod cutter for large lawns. Cap and remove all sprinklers and sprinkler heads. Be sure to set a rough grade for drainage.
- Lay 2 – 2 1/2 inches of drain crushed rock, hose down, then using a vibrating plate compactor, compact to 90%.
- Lay 1 – 1 1/2 inches of either class II road base or decomposed granite.
- Lay the weed barrier* fabric over road base or decomposed granite. This step is optional. Landscape fabrics have their pros and cons. If the soil beneath your installation is “alive” and weeds are wildly grown before installation, it might be a good idea to protect your lawn from weeds with weed barrier fabric. In many cases, there is no big need for weed protection, and you can install turf right on top of decomposed granite without adding extra layers.
- Hose down and then use a vibrating plate compactor to compact to 90%.
- Make sure base surface is as leveled and as smooth as possible.
- Create a slight grade for optimal drainage.
CAUTION: Turf should be rolled out under the sun with blades facing down at least 1-2 hours before installation. This will allow the turf to acclimate and, as a result, make, it easier to work with.
- Lay turf onto base and position where needed. Using a carpet knife/razor knife, cut off the excess grass turf on the backside (3 stitches in from sides). Cut fake turf (on the backside) to fit the area.
- Fasten one end with 40D or 60D Bright Common nails of 5-6 inches in length, spaced 3-4 inches apart along the edges. Stretch turf and fasten with nails as you move across to the opposite end. Place a nail every 12-24 inches throughout the center and every 3-4 inches along the perimeter.
- Fasten together seams by using 11 gauge 6″x1″x6″ staples spaced 4 inches apart along the seam. Do not countersink staples.
NOTE: Be sure the seams are taut and precise, the grain of the turf is facing in the same direction, and the space at the seam is the same as the stitching gauge.
- After turf is installed, power broom before applying infill, apply infill onto turf grass using a drop spreader. Spread infill as evenly as possible with a grading rake or broom until infill settles into the base of the turf. You can use a push broom for quick and easy infilling. Never use regular sand for infill. For putting green installation, use infill with a smaller grain, for example, silica sand #30, because the smaller grain size will work it into the surface better since golf greens are dense.
- Hand or power broom again so that the blades are standing straight up. Use carpet scissors to trim off the excessive turf blades. Clean the surrounding area with a blower or a broom.
Need Help?
The team at Central is here to help you become knowledgeable about artificial turf and how to use this profitable product at your job sites. Let us help you stand out from your competition and win this race. We can help train your team on the basics, teach new installation and design techniques, help you expand your product arsenal, win more jobs, and design service contracts for an annual/repeat income stream. Reach out to your local Central rep to get started or learn more!
About Dennis
Dennis Garneau has 25 years’ experience in hardscaping installation from commercial applications to residential design/build projects. He is ICPI Certified and works closely with vendors on new training and technical installation techniques. Before working for Central, Dennis owned and operated his own landscape construction company for 18 years so he is well versed in the day-to-day operations of contractor as well as the best ways to strategically upselling projects. Rely on him for any of your hardscape and outdoor living needs.