We've just had a plastic lawn put in. AMA

[Imdunfer]

As title.

If you're going to raise climate issues please make sure you have your facts right before you post. There is a lot of incorrect PR and social media comment about plastic turf going around at the moment.

You dig up the fake grass 😉

Pulled my lawn (moss) up this year. Replaced it with this.

Would you be tempted?

It's not been in that long but given the quality of the turf and the installation we can confidently expect it to outlast our time in this house.

It has a weed barrier. The sward is dense and I would expect much in the way of sea to get a footie but they will be ready to spot and pull up if they do.

The latest research on microplastics is identifying that microbes already exist and are further evolving to eat it as it contains a valuable source of energy.

"One study in Australia found that daytime temperatures of fake grass reached an average of 20oC more than the temperature of natural grass (49.9oC compared to 29.9oC).[8]* *
And the climate in Australia is so close to the climate in the UK!"

The measurement is relative though surely. 20 degrees more than the natural grass temperature is 20 degrees more whether the grass is in Sydney or Sidmouth.

I'll be honest, I cant be arsed to RTFT. But I have read your posts at least OP. So, you keep reiterating that A. It looks great and B. You'd never know it was fake unless you touched it. So please could you post a picture of it, I'd love to see it?

@JoyousWriter That's glorious. No wonder you're joyous.

Yes but how many days a year does the UK get weather that makes that an issue in areas where there is also a hosepipe ban on? Because even when it happens it's really only an issue if you can't hose the lawn down.

Hello @BobFlowerdewAndChristineWalkdensLoveChild . You must be an interesting person with those parents. Could you please post a photo.

I bet there's not much you don't know about lawns.

How can you love plants and bees and then decided to cover your lawn in plastic?

Each to their own - based on this thread the consensus of many is that it looks awful. Some landscaped gravel and paths with some pot plants is much more tasteful.

I know people with dogs who got plastic grass because they thought it would be easier - it doesn’t get absorbed so essentially you have skid marks on your lawn (grim).

But why on earth did you do it?
aren’t you worried about the value of your house in the future?

Of course you don’t. What a daft comment!

Agree - show us! I’ve never seen one you couldn’t immediately tell was fake

No.

I have already explained that posting a picture of it would out me to every neighbour with windows overlooking my garden and every visitor using the back door.

Because even when it happens it's really only an issue if you can't hose the lawn down.

Which you can't do in Kent right now.

How long have you had the plastic lawn OP?

Aren't you worried that it will reduce the value of your property? A lot of people won't consider buying a property with artificial grass in the garden.

Yeah sure she does! 😂

And pulmonaria, epimediums, brunnera.... There are some really lovely plants that will grow in shady, dark areas that can't support a good quality lawn. Some of them are really low maintenance too!

You could post one that didn’t include your full garden, a patch of “grass” and some fence is hardly identifying is it?

The OP started an AMA and is weirdly defensive

You don't have to vacuum a fake lawn but you do have to remove any fallen leaves, moss and other detritus from it or weeds self seed on top of it.

Lots of people do vacuum them and vacuum cleaners are widely available to buy for the purpose. Argos sell them. https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4633624?&utm_custom6=PLA&utm_source=google&utm_medium=free_listing&utm_campaign=merchant_center&deeplink=true

That is very beautiful and there are areas just like it on every new development around here. No, I wouldn't want it immediately outside the dining room window. The garden is tiny and walled in, a largely flat lawn makes it look and feel much bigger. Just a personal preference.

Can you explain in what way you think I am "weirdly defensive"?

My neighbour in my old house used to vacuum, jet wash and disinfect her fake grass every few days throughout summer. She had a small garden in a new build and two terriers. If she didn't do that it stank.

It would be an utterly meaningless photo to show nothing but a small patch of grass. If you want to see that, look up an artificial grass supplier and look at top of the range 40mm stuff.

No. It would cost a lot less to replace it with turf now than it would have done to make the old garden grow decent grass.

You really need telling that I missed out the word "on"???