Low-Water Lawn Upgrade in El Cajon
Project Gallery
Backyard in El Cajon featuring 1,123 sf of synthetic turf with river-rock borders and drought-tolerant plantings.
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
Hand-demolished a gopher-tunneled El Cajon front lawn — equipment access was blocked by the surrounding paver driveway and segmental retaining wall — and laid 1,123 sf of SiteOne Rye synthetic turf over three rolls of continuous gopher mesh. Thirty-three bags of SGW antimicrobial infill and a weed-cloth underlay finished the build. Six working days, edge-to-edge coverage, no seam a tunnel could find.
No more gopher holes and no more brown patches — we just look out at it now.
The Challenge
- The lawn had deteriorated into patchy, brown grass that left the backyard looking neglected and unusable for most of the year.
- Gopher activity under the lawn was an ongoing problem, with tunneling damage making the turf surface uneven and difficult to maintain.
- Water from a pre-existing irrigation leak was seeping underground, going undetected until excavation work began.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
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Design & Build
The Plan
SiteOne Turf1 Rye selected for its olive green and tan blade mix, 72 oz. total weight, and 1.5-inch pile height suited to a residential lawn replacement
Full-coverage gopher mesh barrier installed across 1,123 sf using three 48×100-foot rolls to prevent future tunneling damage
SGW antimicrobial Green Sand infill (33 bags) applied to support blade resilience and reduce odor in the enclosed yard
SGW weed cloth installed under the turf layer to suppress weeds along the perimeter and planting bed edges
Turf panels seamed along a curving layout to match the existing paver walkway and retaining wall geometry
Irrigation issue resolved by capping the leaking planter line, preserving water access to remaining planters before turf was laid
See the 2D plan drawing
The Build
Site Setup and Material Delivery
Turf rolls and infill bags were delivered and staged curbside. Equipment and a portable restroom were set up at the site.
Hand Demolition
After a bobcat was ruled out due to risk of damaging existing pavers and underground pipes, the crew removed all natural grass and roots by hand using picks and jackhammers. Debris was loaded into a dump trailer.
Grading and Base Preparation
The site was rough-graded, road base was spread and compacted, and a sand bedding layer was screeded to accept the turf system.
Turf and Infill Installation
Weed cloth was laid first, followed by gopher mesh across the full area. SiteOne Rye turf panels were unrolled, seamed along curves, nailed down, and then SGW antimicrobial infill was broadcast across the finished surface.
Investment
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does artificial turf installation cost in El Cajon?
This project in El Cajon came in between $12,000 and $15,000 for 1,123 square feet of synthetic turf, including gopher mesh, antimicrobial infill, weed cloth, and hand demolition. Per-square-foot cost typically runs $10 to $20 installed in the San Diego area, depending on site access, base conditions, and add-ons like gopher protection.
What maintenance does synthetic turf require?
Synthetic turf requires very little upkeep. Occasional rinsing removes dust and debris, and light brushing keeps blades standing upright. Antimicrobial infill, like the SGW Green Sand used here, helps manage odor over time. No mowing, watering, or fertilizing is needed.
How long does a synthetic turf installation take?
Straightforward residential installs often run about a week of on-site work. This project took six working days from site setup through final turf and infill installation. Timelines can extend when site conditions require hand demolition instead of equipment access.
Is gopher mesh worth adding under artificial turf?
On this El Cajon property, gopher activity had already damaged the natural lawn, so gopher mesh was a clear addition. The mesh was installed across all 1,123 square feet before the turf went down. It adds material and labor cost but prevents the tunneling that can deform turf from below, which is common in inland San Diego properties.
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Design
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Build
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Enjoy
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Your Project Manager
Patrick Diehl
Born and raised in San Diego, Patrick has managed residential, commercial, and high-rise builds, with a specialty in hardscape. A licensed real-estate agent and certified home inspector, he's committed to delivering every project with quality, compliance, and on-time results.
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