Having a hard time installing artificial grass around trees? Watch this video for some helpful tips.

The leading manufacturer of artificial grass, Global Syn-Turf, Inc., announced that it has launched a special Spanish-language program designed to support Spanish speakers in the synthetic turf industry who are most comfortable interacting in Spanish. Services in the program include Spanish-language literature and knowledge transference, as well as Spanish-language audiovisual media. The company has launched the first phase of the program, and will expand its Spanish-language services throughout 2015 in several stages of updates.

According to Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanics represent 43.1% of the Landscaping services industry. Global Syn-Turf is the only worldwide artificial turf manufacturer focusing on Hispanic landscapers, with services delivered in their primary language.

"U.S. Hispanics, in particular, are upwardly mobile in the landscaping industry," said Marysol Gomez, Sales and Marketing Manager. "Further, in 2011, households with at least one Spanish-speaking worker in the landscaping industry obtained more than $18 billion in household income -- that's a lot of buying power. And this number is only increasing. Our new program was designed for this customer base, as well as for Spanish-speaking people in Latin America and all over the world. Our goal is for Global Syn-Turf to be the preeminent one-stop emporium for this population to shop for artificial grass products and receive Spanish-language artificial grass services -- whenever they want. We are thrilled to fill the hole in this market by launching this Spanish-language program, and are just as excited about other new products and services coming down the pipeline throughout 2015."

The first phase of Global Syn-Turf's program launches today with the publication of Spanish-language literature, including artificial grass installation and instruction manuals, which can be accessed on their website at GlobalSynTurf.com. In addition to Spanish-language literature immediately available on the web, Spanish-language services and knowledge dispensation are currently available at all of Global Syn-Turf's warehouses and locations. Other services, including video aids, are projected for release in updates throughout 2015.

Commenting on recent major developments in the green industry, Marysol Gomez said, "Recently we've seen similar announcements from other green industry companies, confirming the explosive market for Spanish-language services and products. The green industry is receptive to, and built to accommodate, innovative and progressive movements from firms, and this program is poised to make Global Syn-Turf quickly become a premier, one-stop worldwide artificial grass destination for Spanish speakers. Our customer base is very diverse, so it's logical for our products and services to adapt accordingly."

This is the first of a continuing series of interviews with green industry professionals.  In this interview, an anonymous (he asked for his name and company to be suppressed) landscape contractor speaks off-the-cuff about his experiences in the green industry and installing artificial grass.

What is a typical day like for a landscape contractor?

The life of a general contractor can be very tumultuous. They are working with expensive, often dangerous equipment. Depending on the contract, they are solely responsible for any mishaps that occur. Still more stressful is the fact that they if the site they are working on is residential, the very material of their business just so happens to be their client's most expensive article of property and sometimes their most prized possession -- namely their homes. So with all of this liability, and in this day and age, in which your every action is susceptible to being recorded forever on the Internet, the job can be difficult.

How does a landscape contractor accept a job?

Ordinarily, landscape contractors have to go to the customer's location when the customer is available. It can be on the weekend, in the evening, or during the day -- it just depends on when the customer would like them to begin. However, once the customer has given them the go-ahead to begin work, most contractors want to get started as soon as possible.

What is the most stressful part of being a landscape contractor?

By force of circumstance, the majority of them are deprived of the privilege of being able to maintain their reputations. The reason is that the average contractor's business is constantly in flux. Yes, it's feasible for a contractor with robust resources to have as many as ten pending jobs in queue, but the majority of contractors simply don't have that capacity. They only have one crew. And with only one crew, the maximum amount of jobs you can take is three to four. So, the majority of contractors may have one job to start with, and then take on a second job a few days later, and then have a third emerge, and then perhaps a fourth.

However, for your average contractor with only one crew and three projects in queue, what very often happens is that the queue is upset by accidents. Perhaps their truck breaks down. Or when the first job is almost finished, perhaps their vehicle leaks and besmirches the pave that's just been painted. Or say an incident with the irrigation happens while they are remodeling something inside and need to use the pressure washer -- if the pipeline is malfunctioning, they won't be able to finish the job. Mishaps like this are very expensive and burdensome. Everything can be running smoothly and according to plan, but if the crew says: "We hit the gas line," at the very moment when the three pending customers have given green lights to start working on the next projects, what can you do?

At that point the contractor has to call the utility to come fix it, because his crew can't proceed until the gas line is fixed. And of course he can't just hire another crew to do the new jobs.Thus, he's forced to move the crew out of the current job and send them to the next job. And then, guess what? With every intent of coming back to finish the first job, he probably never will. Perhaps the customer will call him and say, "You're coming back; otherwise I'll sue you!" And he may return to the first job briefly. It's a very hectic cycle and business to be in. In short, with limited resources, it's difficult for a contractor to maintain an impeccable reputation.

What about artificial grass installers?

With regard to artificial grass installation companies, there are two types of arrangements they have with their personnel: one of them is that they pay their crews by the hour. They say to their crew, "There's a job today. You start today; you finish today." and then seven people are sent to the job to get it done. By the end of the day, everyone receives a paycheck at the hourly rate.

The second type of arrangement is when they pay their personnel according to square footage. They say, "I am going to pay you two dollars per square foot for this job. I don't care how you do it, or how long it takes you to do it -- do it whichever way and however long you'd like. If you finish in half a day -- Hallelujah! -- you make more per hour."

So, basically every artificial grass installer calls their own crew, but they run them differently, based on how effective and efficient they want them to be.

What about installing artificial grass is different than a typical construction gig?

Unlike most contractors, unless there's an installation problem, artificial grass installers don't usually have any hiccups during installation. This is because the work involved isn't too complex. It's not like construction where you're prevented from finishing a job because of, say, a broken board. In construction, a broken piece of board only costs twenty cents per linear foot; so five feet is just one dollar. But if you don't fix it, the completion of the project goes nowhere.

With an artificial grass installation, on the other hand, the consequence of finding a defective section of the turf isn't that serious. It is just a product. That's what makes it so beautiful: a four-person crew can make twenty-four-thousand dollars in a day and a half.

Is installing artificial grass a threat to lawn care business?

Lawn maintenance contractors shouldn't feel anxiety about installing artificial grass. Their lawn care gigs are not being threatened. Artificial grass installations only account for three to five percent of residential yards these days. If you're a lawn maintenance contractor, and you start installing artificial grass, you are going to be busy; you'll never run out of artificial turf installation gigs.

Concerned lawn maintenance contractors often reply, "I charge thirty dollars per week to maintain each yard, and I am currently maintaining twenty percent of the neighborhood. If I install artificial turf, there will be no need for my services." My response to this contention is, "Are you crazy? Look at where you live. Just three to five percent of the homes in the neighborhood have artificial turf. And even if that percentage was much higher, say twenty percent, it wouldn't matter because you'd run yourself to death before finishing installing all of them, anyway.In brief, in no wise does the lawn maintenance contractor lose business as a consequence of installing artificial turf.

How does a landscape contractor succeed?

Anyone with sales, business management and installation abilities can make a lot of money installing artificial turf.

The other thing is that, like any business, you have to commit to it and believe in yourself. You might not have any work on some days. You might get discouraged. And then you might start to deviate from your plan. You can't do that; you have to keep your eyes on the prize. In the competitive business world, you just can't let your efforts abate. This world, this market, doesn't grant anyone the luxury of being lazy, or deviating from their plan, because there are too many people out there who are just as committed as you, and just as smart as you, if not more so.

So, if suddenly, two months have gone by, and you still don't have any business, and you're thinking that you have to put food on the table, you still need to stick with your game plan. You need to have a plan. You have to stick with it.

For example, I have an online friend in Billings, Montana, who's been installing turf for two years. Who is he? He's a twenty nine year old kid. How did he get there? He had guts and persistence. That's all it took. And he's just one guy. You know what he does? In the winter time, he plows snow. He works in the restaurant at Shell. And in the spring time he hits the trade shows, he stops by all of the booths, telling people he installs artificial grass and so on. And he uses his own money to make video advertisements. He said, "I need to make a life; this is what I do. I pick up every job I can get during the winter, snow plowing, etc. But when spring hits, I am out one hundred percent installing artificial turf. I tell everyone I know, every city, every department, every single person I know. I am committed. You know what? He installs a lot of turf. If you are not committed, you are not going to go anywhere. You must be determined. When we first met on some forums, I didn't think he was going to make it. I thought, "Billings, Montana?" If you are talking about Chicago, then there might be a chance. But, he proved me wrong: by making a plan and sticking with it.

The artificial grass of today is a far cry from what it was when it first appeared in 1966. Back then, it was used almost exclusively in sports fields. It was thick-fibered, and its primary purpose was to withstand heavy traffic from the cleats of athletes for long periods of time. Nowadays, the selection of artificial grass products is so variegated that they are used everywhere from playgrounds to veterinary clinics. Some varieties are visually indistinguishable from real grass and still others feel just as soft as the real thing on one's feet.

Indeed, artificial grass technologies have advanced so dramatically over the last few years that lawmakers who were once opposed to their being placed in residential settings are now supportive of it. Lawmakers in San Diego, for instance, proposed a bill this year that would permit residents in homeowner associations to replace their natural grass lawns with artificial grass. In the past, if homeowners installed artificial grass, many had to worry about fines and other penalties.

Despite these changes, however, the main advantage of artificial grass remains the same. It saves time, money and water.

Still, some are not convinced of artificial grass' eco-friendliness. On Houzz, for instance, the number one complaint is that artificial grass harmful to the environment by being a petroleum product and a contributor to global warming when overheating on hot days. Nonetheless, more evidence is surfacing which points to artificial grasses environmental advantages over natural grass. Most recently, it was proven that natural grass lawns as a whole emit more greenhouses gasses than the grass itself absorbs.

Pros and cons aside, there are some questions that are frequently asked by people who are new to the artificial grass world. Let's address those questions forthwith.

What is artificial grass? Artificial grass is a surface composed of synthetic fibers that emulate the look of natural grass. It is sometimes called synthetic turf, artificial turf, synthetic grass, fake grass, and plastic grass.

What are the advantages of artificial grass? It requires minimal maintenance, doesn't require water, fertilizers or pesticides, and looks manicured all year long with none of the hard work.

How is artificial grass used? Artificial grass is used everywhere from sports fields to residences. The most prevalent applications are:

1. On residential landscapes. Artificial grass is extremely popular these days among homeowners looking to save time, money and water that would otherwise be spent on lawn maintenance.

2. On sports fields, tennis courts, and putting greens. Artificial grass increases playing time and reduces maintenance expenses.

3. In pet facilities. Artificial grass is an ideal surface for accommodating pet activities. It is highly resistant to force and eliminates the negative side effects associated with real grass and pets, e.g. mud, dead grass, yellow spots.

4. In childcare facilities and playgrounds. Artificial grass is outstripping rubber and asphalt as a surface for children at play. It provides a cushioned surface, increases the facility's usability, and reduces grass stains and maintenance costs.

In short, artificial grass can be used anywhere for cosmetic or practical purposes. It's even been used for purely aesthetic purposes: in 2014, a Bay Area artist incorporated fake grass into her art installation at Et al. gallery in San Francisco. And in 2009, Black and White Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, presented an installation by artists Alina & Jeff Bliumis called "Be Happy," which presented a cutout composed of artificial grass of a woman with a 'Be Happy' talk balloon "as a metaphor for 'greener pastures,' the search for which entices people to migrate" -- (and replace their natural grass lawns with synthetic!).

As you can see, the applications of artificial grass these days are many and varied. Doubtlessly, it can be a useful addition to a number of situations -- confirming that, for some, the grass is greener on the artificial side indeed.

Companies that manufacture or install artificial lawns are experiencing a boom in business, due to the drought-like conditions and watering restrictions in many North Texas cities.

But the synthetic lawns today aren't the same plastic AstroTurf made popular in the 1970s. The products on the market now, are not just used for putting greens and football fields either.

Tim Dvorak, owner of the company Synthetic Grass Pro, and gets calls every day from homeowners inquiring about artificial grass.

"I discussed this with many turf manufacturers, that's a big thing they notice. As soon as there are drought restrictions, watering restrictions, or an ordinance like the City of Dallas two-days a week restriction, it really just makes this industry explode," said Dvorak.

Today's synthetic lawns are made to stay cool underfoot, drain water well, and last for 10-15 years. The products come in different shades of green, different textures, and mimic different varieties of natural grass. Choosing artificial can be expensive upfront: prices range from $7.50 to $15 a square foot.

Many homeowners with artificial grass installed in their yards feel that the investment was worth it.

"The initial cost is expensive, but it's already paid for itself over the four years. Not having to re-sod it, not having to water. The yard guys[come less often]. So it's more than paid for itself," said Dvorak.

Many homeowners can be skeptical at the beginning, until they see the fake grass first-hand. 

Not all cities in North Texas are on board with artificial grass, though.

Frisco does not allow artificial turf at this time, and many homeowners' associations have rules.

Highland Park passed an ordinance restricting artificial turf to back yards.

Other cities, however, have no rules in place limiting synthetic grass. Those cities include Dallas, Arlington, Denton, and University Park.

As California imposed its first-ever statewide rules to punish water wasters, a new survey showed why state officials say the drastic measures are needed: Californians actually increased their water use amid the worst drought in decades.

The new rules, approved by the State Water Resources Control Board on a 4-0 vote, impose new restrictions on outdoor water use starting Aug. 1 that could result in fines of up to $500 per violation.

Gov. Jerry Brown in January asked Californians to slash their water use by 20 percent. But a new state survey released Tuesday showed that water use in May rose by 1 percent this year, compared with a 2011-2013 May average.

The survey of 267 water providers by the water board found that water consumption in the Bay Area dropped 5 percent. But in coastal California, south of Santa Barbara, consumption rose 8 percent.

"California is in the worst drought we've seen in our grandparents' generation or beyond," said Felicia Marcus, the water board's chairwoman. "Fields are going fallow. Thousands of people are going to be out of work. There are communities that are out of water -- they're bathing out of buckets and water trucks are coming in to help them.

"But many parts of California don't seem to realize how bad it is," she said, "because they are so far away from their source of water. We are all in this together, and this is not a time to waste water."

The new rules ban washing cars without a nozzle on a hose; watering driveways or sidewalks; using potable water in ornamental fountains; and over-watering landscaping so that water runs off into roads and adjacent properties. Recycled water is exempt.

Under the new statewide rules, any agency that does not impose mandatory conservation measures could be subject to state fines of up to $10,000 a day. But it remained unclear Tuesday whether local agencies will be able to keep in place rules that don't include enforcement or penalties.

More than 60 percent of a regular residential home's water usage goes to lawns, in order to fight the drought effectively, changing real lawns to artificial grass or other low water requiring plantation becomes almost imminent. Synthetic grass company,Global Syn-Turf, Inc. offers more than 50 different type of artificial grass products with distribution centers throughout California: From Sacramento to Fresno to San Francisco Bay Area to Greater Los Angeles, you will be able to find their wonderful product to fit your preference.

Even though it "feels like"  we were hunting aster eggs a few days ago, our favorite season is almost upon us...  FOOTBALL SEASON!!! Whether  you favor the professional teams or maybe college sports is your thing, to matter where you are you can almost smell and feel the energy brewing!  Now take that feeling and multiply it by 1000.This must be what it is like for the 60+ High Schools across the United States that will be playing their first home game on a new field of synthetic turf.  The list of schools is a "Who's-Who's"  of high school sports and the number of teams is growing by the day! When I sat down to write this blog I soon discovered that it would be an easier task to list those who "DID NOT" install a new athletic sports field this year. And I will add that those schools on the "DID NOT" list were only there  because they are waiting for their own installation of artificial grass to begin!

Like I stated, the list of educational institutions is vast, however states like Oregon, Louisiana,California, and West Virginia are but a few of the schools we will be hearing about for the next several months.  Keeping in mind this list only refers to the High Schools using the amazing new playing surface.  There are countless Universities and other venues popping up every single day!  The schools that will have their first pitch, first touchdown, or first point on fake will witness first hand what an impeccable and refined surface they are playing on. A field that was tailor made to fit the needs of an athlete of any kind. There is only on question that comes to mind...what will you do with all of your "newly acquired"  spare time?  Time that you used to spend cleaning up muddy footprints. Well?  I guess, lets go warm up the grill!

Say hello to A FEW of the schools and teams that will enjoy their first game on new modern turf that was designed with the player in mind...

Mountaineer Stadium, TX

University of Idaho, ID

Oregon University

Nolan Catholic, TX

Boys Latin, Maryland

Washington High School, Washington

DePew, High School, IN

Pomona Unified, Pomona, CA

Ouachita Christian, Monroe, LA

Jupiter High School, Palm Beach, FL