turfstone
Some of my garden shots have had some perforated concrete pavers shown in them. In case you’re wondering what it is, it’s called Turfstone, and is one of several products out there that are designed to allow you to have a lawn that you can drive onto.
The basic idea is that you interplant the little holes with grass, and the concrete blocks keep vehicles from cutting ruts into the lawn. You of course could also fill the holes with other kinds of plants.
If you don’t want to have to water your driveway, or if you want a sturdy but porous material to use to cover a French drain—which is what we wanted—you could fill the holes with material like crushed rock or pebbles, as we’ve done here. Using a contrasting material brings out the interesting grid pattern.
The material is somewhat specialized, so you local home store probably won’t have it in stock, though they may be able to order it for you. Failing that, the blocks seem to have a pretty wide distribution so that a landscape materials firm could probably find it for you.
July 21 2008 04:34 am | Categories: landscape design • my garden | Tags: hardscape • turfstone
Mary Ann on 21 Jul 2008 at 4:42 am #
That is really nice. I was wondering what made that lovely pattern next to your steel retainer wall. Thanks for explaining.
PlantBuddy on 21 Jul 2008 at 9:00 am #
I’ve always admired the look of grass and stones combined.
Greg on 21 Jul 2008 at 7:18 pm #
Ahhhh, enlightenment!! It really is a lovely effect, either with grass or stone. What a bonus that its practical and environmentally-cooperative, too.
I’ve posed a cleome question for you, BTW.
Hayley on 07 Aug 2008 at 12:52 pm #
Hi, I live in San Diego too and I was wondering where you got your Turfstone from and if you installed it yourself? Thank you!
lostlandscape on 07 Aug 2008 at 8:31 pm #
Hi Hayley,
I ordered it from KRC Rock in Poway: 12249 Oak Knoll Road (858) 748-3953. They also have a Lakeside and San Marcos branches. We installed it ourselves. The main trick is to put down a level substrate—hard-packed sand or decomposed granite. Getting the blocks absolute level may take a whack or two with a rubber mallet, but it’s not ridiculously difficult. Enjoy!
pat shevlin on 25 Apr 2010 at 9:48 am #
hi, looking at turfstone as a landscape alternative to traditional poolside stone patio. I originally had planned a tumbled marble patio large enough to handle a few chaise lounges and a umbrella. I wonder if turfstone would work, or is hot or hard on bare feet.
Thanks in advance!
lostlandscape on 25 Apr 2010 at 4:23 pm #
Hi Pat,
My experience with it is the basic product that has been filled with pebbles. My guess is that a large expanse of it done that way might get hot and uncomfortable on bare feet. If you were to plant grass or groundcover in the little openings I think it would actually be a pleasant surface. I hope that helps!