Introduction
My university, the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, has a large playground where students can gather and unwind. However, one question lingered in my mind—why use artificial turf to mimic real grass? Over time, I realized that from elementary school to university, this practice had become widely accepted as the norm. Gradually, I began to see it as a form of simulation, or even deception. This realization led me to devise an experiment: to plant a 20×20 cm patch of real grass along the border of the artificial turf, subtly disrupting this artificial landscape.
Implementation Process
This project lasted nearly three months, but the execution proved to be far more challenging than I had anticipated. I had to carefully consider human interference, soil ecology, and the absence of maintenance during the summer break, all of which presented significant obstacles. The challenge was twofold: to remain discreet while also ensuring the grass could successfully take root and thrive.
First Attempt: The Failed "Soil Pile"
For my initial attempt, I simply spread soil directly over the artificial turf, hoping to create a space where grass could grow. However, the soil formed a conspicuous mound, making it stand out immediately. By the next day, the soil had been completely removed, and my first attempt ended in failure.
Second Attempt: Concealed Planting
Learning from my initial failure, I adjusted my strategy. Late at night, I carefully cut a precise 20×20 cm groove into the artificial turf, sowed grass seeds, and covered them with soil—ensuring the surface remained perfectly level with the surrounding artificial grass. To further conceal the modification, I sprinkled white powder along the edges, blending it seamlessly with the playground’s boundary lines.
However, the timing worked against me. Since the planting period coincided with the summer break, I was unable to water the grass consistently. Additionally, the soil I used lacked proper moisture retention, causing the seeds to wither before they could take root. Once again, my attempt failed.
For the third attempt, based on the lessons learned from the previous failures, I implemented a series of measures and started anew:
Creating an Automated Irrigation System
Near the boundary of the playground, between the artificial turf and the track, there is a row of drainage holes. After measuring, I found that their depth, width, and length are 770mm, 280mm, and 28mm, respectively. I planned to construct a rectangular water reservoir that could be directly inserted into the existing drainage holes. This reservoir would collect rainwater during rainy days for storage.By integrating tools such as a water pump, soil moisture sensors, and water pipes, I designed a system that could monitor soil moisture levels and enable automatic irrigation when needed.
Improving the Soil
I replaced the original soil with coconut coir, which has excellent water retention properties. This helped create a more suitable environment for the grass to grow.
Finally, three days after completing the installation, the 20x20 cm patch of real grass began to thrive and sprout new shoots. Compared to the artificial grass, the real grass swayed gently in the breeze, exuding a sense of vitality and spring-like freshness.
