Artificial Turf
in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

Why Turf Makes Sense in Los Ranchos

The Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque sits on the east side of the Rio Grande, at just under 5,000 feet, with Albuquerque on three sides. Residents voted to incorporate in 1958, partly to keep control of their own zoning. That choice is why Rio Grande Boulevard still runs past horse pastures, lavender fields and old cottonwoods instead of tract homes.

Restrictions on lot size and use keep the village semi-rural. Many properties are an acre or more, and some follow the old pattern of long, narrow farm lots that run back from the road toward the ditch. Acequias still carry irrigation water behind a lot of these homes. Landmarks like Los Poblanos, the Agri-Nature Center on Rio Grande Blvd and the Growers' Market at Hartnett Park show how much of the village is still about growing things.

So why turf here? Because not every part of a big lot needs to be farmed or flood irrigated. A lot of owners want the pasture and garden to stay as they are, with a clean, green area by the house that doesn't need mowing, a sprinkler system or summer water.

Local conditions we plan around

• Silty, sandy valley soil. Ground near the river is often soft river-deposited silt and sand. It holds a footprint and settles under load, so the base has to be built up and compacted.
• Higher groundwater near the river. Close to the bosque, the ground can stay damp and the water table can be closer to the surface. We set grades so water moves away from the house and never toward a neighbor or a ditch.
• Acequias and laterals. Many lots border a ditch with an easement. We keep the install on your side of it.
• Leaf drop and shade. Cottonwoods drop leaves and seed fluff each year. Turf handles both with a leaf blower.
• Spring wind. Edges are secured so wind can't get underneath and lift the turf.

Village rules and approvals

Los Ranchos has its own land use code, separate from Albuquerque's. We aren't aware of a village ban on artificial turf, but the village sets its own rules, including setbacks along Rio Grande Boulevard. Check with the village before starting a large or front-yard project. If your home is in a subdivision with covenants, check with your HOA as well. We can give you specs and samples to submit.

Our Install Process for Valley Lots

It starts with a free on-site measure and a written quote. On a Los Ranchos lot we walk the whole area with you, looking at the ditch, irrigation valves, any septic system, slope and access for equipment down a long driveway.

1. Mark and protect. We locate utilities, sprinkler lines, the septic tank and leach field if you have one, and the ditch easement.
2. Remove and excavate. Old sod, weeds and soft topsoil come out. On soft silt we dig deeper to reach firmer ground.
3. Weed barrier. Irrigated valley soil grows Bermuda grass, bindweed and goatheads. A barrier goes down first.
4. Compacted base. 3 to 4 inches of crushed base, plate-compacted in lifts and graded to drain away from the house.
5. Turf, seams and edges. Turf is laid, seamed and secured with bender board and tight nail spacing.
6. Infill and brush. Infill goes in and the fibers are power brushed upright.

Most installs are done in 1 to 3 days. Very large lawns or long access routes can add time, and your quote will spell that out.

Materials: Fibers, Backing, Infill and Base

• Fibers. Soft polyethylene blades with a polypropylene thatch. In sunny spots away from the cottonwoods, lighter heat-reflective fibers stay cooler.
• Backing. Fully permeable backing for dog areas so urine and rinse water drain straight through. Perforated backing for general lawns.
• Infill. Silica sand for weight and blade support, cooling infill for full-sun lawns, antimicrobial infill for pets.
• Base. Crushed base over weed barrier. On damp valley ground, the base is what keeps the surface flat for years.

Premium turf carries up to a 15-year manufacturer warranty, and we add a 2-year workmanship guarantee on every install.

Drainage and Heat

Valley lots are mostly flat, so summer storm water has fewer places to run off. A good base lets rain soak down through the turf instead of sheeting across the patio. We grade away from adobe and stucco walls, since standing water at the foot of an adobe wall is something you don't want.

Turf warms up in direct sun, the same as a flagstone patio. Shade from big trees helps. In open spots we suggest heat-reflective fibers and cooling infill, and a quick hose rinse before play on hot afternoons.

Popular Projects in Los Ranchos

• Lawns by the house. A green area off the portal or around the pool, with the rest of the lot left as pasture or garden. See our artificial grass lawn installs.
• Dog yards. Fenced runs with pet turf that drains and rinses clean.
• Putting greens. A short game green with a view of the Sandias.
• Play areas. Soft, clean ground under swings and play sets.

Turf isn't built for horses, so keep it out of paddocks and stalls. It works great in the parts of the yard where people and dogs spend their time.

Get a Free Los Ranchos Turf Quote or call (505) 407-8448