Artificial grass - thoughts?

Caroline_a

Ok people, I know this isn't really going to be very moneysaving, but maybe long-term? As some of you may know, I have 2 large dogs. My garden is patio with what used to be the lawn laid to gravel, and 2 large raised ponds. This has now become a racetrack, most of the gravel has gone and there is an area that was compacted earth (hidden away a bit) that the dogs have turned into a bit of a mud bath through paddling in the ponds, digging bits, etc etc. In short, I spend my life washing my kitchen floor and cleaning patio.

I love sitting out in summer but last summer the garden looked such a mess I just didnt very much. So I'm now considering a vast makeover by replacing the gravel with artificial lawn, including the mud bath at the end. Had my first quote yesterday, and it really isn't cheap. However, long term I'm thinking, easy to maintain, will look good for years, hard wearing, and less money on cleaning products!

Am I being totally bonkers, or is this a fantastic idea? I have to say that the quality of the samples I've got looks brilliant, really realistic.

Thoughts?

zaksmum

But what happens to it when the dogs poo and wee on it? Won't it discolour?

aliasojo

Artificial grass has come on leaps and bounds since the plastic greengrocer type stuff of yesteryear.

You can get dog specific versions that are kind to dogs paws and wont stain or discolour if the dogs messes on it.

I'd definitely consider it.

peachyprice

Where do the dogs toilet?

I would be worried, with two large dogs, of the effect of poo and wee on it, with real grass it just soaks into the ground, what will it do on artificial grass? Would it behave the same a poo/wee on carpet and start to smell? I find it difficult enough sometimes getting loose poo out of real grass, but at least I can take some grass with it, how would artificial cope with the odd loose poo?

I guess if they toilet away from the house mainly this wouldn't be a problem.

aliasojo

I believe you just hose wee or loose poo away. It will still soak down into the ground underneath.

I was reading about this not so long ago will try to find link.


Edit: Can't find the thing I was thinking about but this link is about pets. http://www.forevergreenlawns.co.uk/dog-owners

Pitlanepiglet

I had no idea that you could get dog friendly artificial grass but it appears you can. One link here http://www.forevergreenlawns.co.uk/dog-owners gives details, presumably the same product is available from other suppliers.

krlyr

My brother does artficial lawn for a living and assures me it works well with dogs (I'm trying to talk OH into it!). They certainly seem fine with it at my mum's house where he's laid some, it's very soft so doesn't seem to bother their paws (they actually choose to lay on that side rather than the half with real grass currently waiting to be done) and happily playfight and run around on it.
The only thing I did notice was that Casper's hairs did stick to it a bit..could imagine myself having to hoover the lawn rather than mow it!

Laid properly, it will drain well so you would simply hose it down if needed. Pet friendly cleaners like Mistral would deal with the smell, same as on a patio etc.

My friend with a 45kg Akita cross is going to have it done soon, so I'll ask her how it holds up to him! She does have an offcut in his kennel and still wants to go ahead with the garden, though I know she only really used the kennel to keep the dog away from the builders etc in and out of her house recently.

krlyr

Prior to it being fitted properly...cosy dog bed material, obviously!

chris_n_tj

We are on year 7 with our astro turf and it looks as good today as it did when we put it down. it is dog friendly and cleans well. We just use the hose, cleaning up is so easy.

Try and get the best you can aford. Hubby found it easy to lay, just like fitting a carpet really. x

Caroline_a

Thanks for the tips, people! The chap who came to measure up said that virtually every lawn they lay now is for people who own dogs. Said that the mess cleans up easily , doesn't stain and the only thing I might need to do is to put the hose over it in very dry weather as when they wee it might linger and smell a bit - but hey, you can get that with ordinary grass!

I will let you know how I get on. Looking for several quotes at the moment, but was very impressed with the first chap who came (Lazylawn). I'm going to get it professionally fitted as then I get the guarantee with it.

zaksmum

Wouldn't mind giving it a go if I thought it would still look ok after some intensive doggy interference.

My garden now looks like the aftermath of Armageddon, and it's not Jack who's wrecking it, but Lucy.

I swear she wees sulphuric acid...!