Summer is here but that familiar smell of fresh cut grass wafting through the air is disappearing. With synthetic grass looking more realistic than ever, increasing numbers of homeowners are carpeting their lawns with “plastic” to achieve that year-round green.

The state of Georgia, just now emerging from a four year drought, has a new breed of suburbanite choosing synthetic over sod. Homeowners like Patti Rodriguez — tired of the endless weeding and the constant mowing –are looking to artificial turf as a way to enjoy their lawns year round. Rodriguez says, “In Georgia at the winter time this is the best place to be if you want to have some spring.”

But for purist Walter Reeves, who hosts a gardening show on both radio and television, the faux fields don’t measure up. “In front of the house or behind the house it’s what you want, we have an environment perfect for grass… Grass is what I believe in.”

According to the Association of Synthetic Grass Installers, the residential portion of the industry has doubled over the last five years. As demand grows, the turf options blossom with more realistic feels and colors to match the region where it is being installed.

Richard Davis, CEO of Southwest Greens International says, “It is not maintenance free. You need a blower to blow it off, but that’s about it. So, there’s no watering or fertilization.”

NBA star Derek Anderson, a Kentucky native, says that is exactly what attracted him to the product and has slowly been replacing his lawn with artificial turf.

At a cost of $6-$12 per square foot, depending on the area, a typical yard will cost about $10,000 — double or triple the cost of sod, but typically last 15 or more years.