• Artificial turf is available in Utah.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  Utah's dry climate can be detrimental and even fatal to natural lawns and gardens. Additionally, the cost of watering and maintaining a natural grass lawn in such a dry climate can be taxing. Because of this, a number of Utah homeowners have installed synthetic grass lawns which conserve resources and last longer in a dry climate.
  
  

Selecting

• Because artificial grass is made from materials such as polyethylene and nylon, which do not require water and can stand up to constant sunlight and heat, the grass on your synthetic lawn need not be limited to specific varieties or species, but is only limited to the selection of the retailer. Local companies, such as T2 Play Turf, Salt Lake City Synthetic Grasses and Artificial Lawns and Backyard Greens LLC, offer a limited variety of grass styles and also offer professional installation. National companies, such as SynLawn, Turf Avenue, and Turf Outlet, manufacture wide varieties of synthetic grasses, such as centipede, fescue and St. Augustine grass. These companies do not offer professional installation options but send detailed instructions for installation and, in some cases, include proprietary materials for bonding the grass to the ground.
  
  

Installing

• Although many parts of Utah feature arid landscape, installing a synthetic grass system requires no special steps or instructions. Clear the planned coverage area, and grade the surface area down until it can provide a flat base. Cover the area with an evenly distributed layer of fine crushed gravel about 3 inches thick. This layer facilitates proper drainage of water during heavy rains. Once the gravel is laid, compact both gravel and base soil with a plate tamper. When complete, lay the carpet of synthetic grass over the planned coverage area, altering parts of the carpet according to the size and shape of your lawn.
  
  

Maintaining

• Although maintenance is less demanding on the homeowner with synthetic lawns than natural lawns, some actions are required to maximize the life and look of your synthetic lawn. Utah's dry winds can sometimes blow dust, spores and detritus onto the lawn, which will not biodegrade like they would in a natural lawn. Keep these unsightly and eroding invaders away by occasionally spraying your lawn with the garden hose. Spraying down occasionally can also remove animal droppings and dead leaves which, apart from being aesthetically displeasing, can decay and leave mildew or fungus in their wake.