real grass or artificial grass?

shopaholicz

Hi,

Next summer I'd like a large shed removing from a corner of our garden and the concrete base digging up, then I'll have a square garden that I can grass.

To grass or fake grass?

I was thinking of artificial grass but sat next to a lady last week who told me she has to rake sand into hers every month, and it burns her grandchildren's feet in the summer as it gets so hot. EEEk! :think:

Does anybody else do that? I think artificial grass looks lovely, but don't want to make extra work for myself as I'd be unable to do that myself and would need to pay a gardener.

What do people think, real grass or artificial grass? Which is easiest to care for?

LadyDee

It is an expensive proposition but the result is worth it if you look after it. Unless the ground is properly and expensively (!) prepared then within a very short time it will look a mess. My friends had an artifical lawn laid a couple of years ago and the men took at least two days doing the preparatory work before laying the 'grass'. I must admit I was sceptical when they first told me they were having artificial grass. It looks fabulous though, but it wasn't a bargain job!

All the old concrete should be removed, a thick layer of builders sand, levelled, thick membrane (to stop weeds coming through - yes, they can) and the grass laid, which has to be properly fitted down - a bit like a carpet. My neighbour has a wooden rake given to her by the lawn people to occasionally rake it over. She's never mentioned having to sprinkle sand on it but it can't be much of a task else she'd had said something.

They certainly spend more time enjoying their lawn than mowing, watering, weeding, fertilizing, spiking and complaining about all the work and money they spend on it! Oh, and no more yellow patches from the dog and holes dug by squirrels burying next winter's dinner!

Grenage

I run a manual mower over my grass once every couple of weeks, and that's it. I'm not fussed about any weeds that might appear; I've never considered it much of a chore.

andrewf75

Unless you have specific requirements i.e nowhere to keep a mower, dogs etc I would steer well clear of fake grass. Its a fad that people will be ripping out in a few years time. A garden is supposed to be a little patch of nature isn't it?

glasgowdan

I agree with Andrew... like wooden cladding, polystyrene ceilings and artex... nobody will want them in a few year's time! Real grass all the way. The smell, the feel, it's natural. Wild weeds and all, and all you have to do is mow it quickly every few weeks!

[Deleted User]

Another one who agrees with real grass.


Why on earth put a large sheet of plastic in the garden? The outdoors is supposed to be about nature and plants and insects so a big "no" from me to plastic in the garden.


Plastic lawns reminder me of the 'little boxes on the hillside made of ticky-tacky' song.

photome

Forget the lawn real or fake.. concrete it, no more hassle ..well maybe the occasional flood!!!128521;

Waterlily24

Real grass for me too.

greyteam1959

Artificial grass will always like what it is....artificial.
And it's a bugg*r to keep clean.

silverwhistle

Why have a garden at all if all you want is an extension of indoors? Buying a flat might be better?


I have a two very small patches of lawn which aren't requiring much work in this hot weather. In my back garden there are a few apple trees along a fence and underneath is a "lawn" mainly of moss, but it's green and cool in the shade, even with our current heat. It also supports wildlife and early in the day I see blackbirds (and this morning a rare thrush) and other creatures.


It might seem superficially attractive, but so were avocado bathroom suites..

photome

silverwhistle wrote: »

Why have a garden at all if all you want is an extension of indoors? Buying a flat might be better?


I have a two very small patches of lawn which aren't requiring much work in this hot weather. In my back garden there are a few apple trees along a fence and underneath is a "lawn" mainly of moss, but it's green and cool in the shade, even with our current heat. It also supports wildlife and early in the day I see blackbirds (and this morning a rare thrush) and other creatures.


It might seem superficially attractive, but so were avocado bathroom suites..

not quite the same, given that real grass when kept watered and looked after will always be green just like artificial grass.


now if artificial grass came in avocado i could understand where you are coming from


why have a garden at all? people have gardens for all sorts of activities that you cant do in a flat, doesnt mean it has to be grass,