Homeowners Turn to Paint to Keep Lawns Green

There is some relief for homeowners complying with drought water restrictions, but ending up with withered grass.

It’s called lawn painting.

The idea first took off during the housing crisis several years ago, when foreclosed homes needed quick curb appeal.

The drought is bringing lawn painting back as an alternative to planting synthetic grass or native vegetation.

Kerry McCoy is a professional law painter who works in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties.

She says business is booming.

McCoy charges about $229 for 1,000 square feet, the size of an average front lawn.

If you want to do it yourself, a similar type of paint is now in stock at the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center.

Jason Emrich is the manager of the Paint Department.

He says the paint is biodegradable, pet and kid friendly and doesn’t hurt your grass.

“It doesn’t kill your lawn. So if its still trying to grow, you can have it green without killing what’s trying to come back,” Emrich said.

A bottle of the lawn paint costs about $25 to spray 1,000 square feet.

You can even get an attachment sprayer for your garden hose.