A well-meaning homeowner recently asked the internet for advice on his DIY home playground plan – and it's a good thing. As it turned out, their idea was anything but the environmentally conscious solution they had intended.
In a Reddit post, the DIYer explained that he wanted to create a playground for his children and wanted to cover part of his yard with artificial turf.
To make the play area flatter, they said they would consider laying down some fabric as a weed barrier before covering it with sod. The homeowner explained that due to their work in the hotel industry, they had “a lot of damaged or worn duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases.”
“I was wondering if I could reuse 1-3 layers of it [hotel linens] as a weed barrier,” the homeowner asked other Reddit users. “My idea is to lay the bedding either about 3 to 5 inches below the surface (underground) or directly under the artificial turf.”
The homeowner asked if this was an “environmentally friendly option that would last long-term.” Commenters on the r/landscaping subreddit responded with similar feedback: Absolutely don't do it.
“No, this will just be a headache,” one person wrote.
“The bedding is starting to rot and needs to be pulled out,” another user wrote. “All you’re doing is creating a nightmare for your future self.”
When creating a playground, garden, or weed-free area in your yard, it's best to avoid sheet barriers, which compromise the health of the soil and break down in unsightly ways.
According to The Dallas Morning News, film barriers can block the proper exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the soil. It also restricts the movement of soil-mixing organisms such as earthworms, insects, beneficial bacteria and fungi.
Several commenters recommended replacing all fabric barriers and artificial turf with playground-grade wood chips as an environmentally friendly alternative. Some shared that a cardboard barrier under the wood chips would be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option if weed concerns were particularly severe.
“I agree with others that artificial turf is one of the least environmentally friendly options,” one Reddit user added. “Using bed linen, which is also likely to contain synthetic fibers, only exacerbates the problem without providing any practical benefit. … [Playground mulch is] much better for the environment and more pleasant for the children.”
“The playground-grade wood chip idea sounds like a good alternative, and I like the flexibility it provides for future changes,” the homeowner wrote in response to recommendations.
Unlike artificial turf and rubber alternatives, untreated wood chips are natural and do not leach harmful chemicals into the ground. According to gardening and landscaping experts, wood chips are also very inexpensive, shock-absorbing and non-slip.
The National Recreation and Park Association reports that 79% of all playground-related injuries are due to improper surfacing. The association lists wood chips as an “acceptable substrate” for playgrounds.
Landscaping companies like The Dirt Bag in West Jordan, Utah, recommend layering wood chips at least 12 inches thick to ensure effective playground padding. The company states that during compaction and exposure to the elements, the chips remain at least 9 inches deep, which is the recommended standard.
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