Tired of constant watering, fertilizing, mowing and other upkeep for an emerald-green lawn, but looking for something other than artificial turf?

Root Systems Lawn Care in Draper has another alternative: spray paint.

OK, it's not really paint, but the organic pigment the company can apply to the lawn is designed to keep the yard lookin' fine for as long as 14 weeks.

"You can use half the water but still have a green lawn," owner/operator Joe Christensen said.

The nontoxic pigment dries in minutes, and Christensen said it can help control weeds, conserves water, requires less mowing, uses less fertilizer and maintains a natural appearance. Once applied, the pigment won't stain any more than "regular" grass.

The "Perfectly Green" system is the same stuff used to make pro football fields pretty for TV cameras, even though then it's usually sprayed onto an already green field.

How long the pigment lasts depends on how much the homeowner waters and fertilizes the lawn. The philosophy behind "Perfectly Green" is shutting down the lawn to dormancy, so mowing can occur as little as every other week and watering can be cut to twice a week, he said.

"The more you water or fertilize it, the more it will grow off. It's the exact opposite of what traditional lawn care companies say to do during the summer," Christensen said. "We painted our grass the last week in January. It was completely brown before that. We mowed the last of it (the pigment) off the second week of May."

Applications typically cost $200 to $250 for a 2,500-square-foot area. Details are available by calling 352-0321.

"I think we'll do well this summer," he said. "We're thinking that it will be a front-lawn situation. People won't do the back but will do the front because that's what people will see. That's the market I'm interested in.

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"When you consider this cost versus the cost of watering it and what it costs to keep it that color during the summer, I think they'll be ahead (with us)."

Folks not interested in having the entire lawn painted can call on the company for cosmetic fixes, such as greening areas where a swimming pool or tarps have caused brown spots, or to even out color in a multihued lawn.

And come autumn, Christensen said, he's kicking around the idea of offering to paint a red "U" or blue "Y" on lawns for folks who want to show school spirit for their respective universities.


E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com

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