Artificial garden lawns - what a weird world

[Figmentofmyimagination]

Another installed on our street. I just don’t understand it. Why would anyone do this?

There is a petition to ban their sale for installation in residential dwellings if you want to sign it:

It’s only got 5,900 signatures so far, which seems a pretty low number, given how much of a no brainer this is, imo. Maybe that’s just me.

petition deleted by MNHQ as we don't allow them, we're afraid.

Yeah, go back to your Take a Break magazine @TheKeatingFive 😉

@orchiddottyback you can't pretend building on fields and greenbelt doesn't Cause issues or even someones extension
Artificial grass isn't the sole reason why we have issues and if all was removed it would 't fix it so why pretend otherwise

Wow, that is a really nasty reply 😱

Yeah, go back to your Take a Break magazine

well that's obviously the way to win friends and influence people, well done!

@eyesandearsandamouth prob not the sort of person people want as a friend anyway, no one likes judgemental people who are going to judge them all the time

Oh sorry, I think I misinterpreted that exchange 😂

@blackcatnight overpopulation is causing a big issue too , did you not think about that before you had children

The fields around will by law have already had ecological appraisals and surveys well in advance and the impact on badgers and bats has already been discussed and planned in conjunction with Natural England and all the licencing and mitigation is all part of the design. Again may be you should brush up on Biodiversity Net Gain and Ecological sensitive planning.

They cannot just build when ever they want, there are massive amounts of ecology work that goes in to surveying this before the works even take place, and they will also have ecologists on site during construction to ensure they stick to the law and comply with licencing regulations.

There are numerous ways to mitigate badgers and bats and I guarantee this has already been agreed upon. But again you are trying to redirect this thread, if you wish to discuss construction and bio diversity please start a new thread and Ill happily join you.

I am planning some new raised beds, will artificial grass as a pathway to them in place of the tatty grass we have in our sandy back garden. Scarcely anything grows and always needs water.
A difficult calculation for enviro mentalists

ps DD enjoys the hockey pitches, DS not so happy with the football surface

I think they look good but after reading the stuff about dog and cat shit I'm a bit 😖

My reflection on the 'class' discussion that has appeared on this thread is that it is definitely not class. I know people of all brands who have fake grass, it's more the associated ignorance and 'I'm alright Jack'

I have a 100ft garden which is full of life. My new neighbours have installed concrete based fences all around their garden, ripped out the hedge on my side and their lawn (including a natural pond that had been there for 50 years) and have installed fence to fence artificial lawn.

So yes, they are happy that they have their sanitised garden, but the hedgehogs, frogs, nesting birds and ground animals on my side have been impacted. They cannot cross through the concrete based fence (hedgehogs and frogs) and the birds have lost nesting places.

So, from where I am sitting, it isn't just 'their garden, their choice'. They have deliberately disrupted the local eco-system for their own comfort.

Been looking at houses and every second one has the same concrete patio and artificial grass. It's horrid. I like to have a nature friendly garden. Our friends moved into a property with one two years ago and already it's looking tatty so no thanks.

How about if you are going to quote me at least try to be honest and not twist what I said, where did I say building on fields and greenbelt doesn't Cause issues or even someone's extension.

Please quote me, I purely gave you a pointer on to how construction tackles these issues. Its not my fault you lack the knowledge or attitude to learn for yourself and its also not my job to try educate the ignorant.

@worriedatthistime well I do have a sense of humour, wasn't being serious but plastic grass, isn't my favourite.

My fault, I don’t think my sarcasm travels very well 🙈

@blackcatnight well aren't you delightful.

Like what? They don't want it all paved over, as don't want the Grandchildren (very young pre school) playing on concrete/paving for safety reasons.
There is no other covering suitable for usage with her moterised chair.
I don't suppose it's occurred to you that disabled people/wheelchair users have different mobility needs and access needs? Not all elderly and disabled would make the choice you have. They've maintained a beautiful wildlife garden for over 60yrs, they still have plants/shrubs/insect and bird boxes and trees, they probably do a lot more for wildlife than the people shouting about it on here. Anyone who would begrudge them a little bit of safety and enjoyment in their twilight years tbh is not worth a thought.

@orchiddottyback how about you maybe get some manners you obviously missed that part of your education

@orchiddottyback you not what im not so naive to believe that animals are all taken into account when we build , we have taken away huge amounts of habitat and stop name calling you do know that is against the rules
As soon as someone gets aggressive and name calls they have lost any argument they had

I can't imagine caring this much what LAWN other people have. It's you people who are the worst neighbors I would 'lose respect' for for being so whiny and judgemental about things that don't affect you.

Meanwhile I'll be over here with my very nice artificial lawn, without an abundance of insects or weeds to annoy me, not storing a large lawnmower or wasting my money on a gardener or supplies, always being company ready, and loving life.

More artificial lawns please.

@MaryShelley1818 exactly people always only look at there situation and not others
Its well i can do this so should you
The attitude of many on here has shown that and for any considering it they aren't trying to tactfully persuade people to think of alternatives
If I was having any second thoughts not many on here would of persuaded me to change my mind with aggressiveness , judgement and calling people ignorant etc

I'm considering some artificial grass as it's too small an area for real grass to cope with the dog/people footfall and then alternative is patio slabs as wood chip/stones no go). However patio slabs has less grip and harder on the dogs joints/injury if slip over.

I don't understand water run off though as artificial grass is porous and is laid on hardcore so water can filter down same as gravel etc. My old lawn was on clay so was either waterlogged or rock hard and cracked most of the year. It bothers me that would eventually need to go to landfill but then often people complaining also fine about sending their carpets (also plastics) to tip.

A grass lawn isn't that that diverse for wildlife but are nice to have and I'd like some wide borders to fill up with lots of plants. I find it more sad the trend for fake plants and amount of pure gravel/grass/art turf spaces with no plants at all, often front yards that you could easily make low maintenance planting with shrubs & perennials which would look much more attractive and be good for wildlife.

They look really cheap and tacky not to mention reduce the property value.

More plastic, just what we need as the world is on track for 3 degrees of warming.

I only took a real interest, or at least changed my behaviour after having children. This really isn't the checkmate you think it is. Having one or two children is not that bad, plus it is a massive thing for people (a big life event) and it's often what motivates them to care in the first place.

I wouldn't be boycotting irresponsible companies and eating apples all year if I had no kids- I'd be flying out to Dubai without a second thought. People care because they wonder about their children's future. If I was childfree I wouldn't be doing shit just so other people can keep having kids, and I have to give up a huge aspiration.

Same way I'm not SO dedicated that I'm going to end my own life. We all have limits but plastic grass is unnecessary. Same as plastic bags, packaging on bananas, garish plastic children's toys... I could go on.

I can't imagine caring this much what LAWN other people have. It's you people who are the worst neighbors I would 'lose respect' for for being so whiny and judgemental about things that don't affect you.

It'll affect you if every lawn is plastic. One plastic lawn is fine, until another, and another. According to you, we shouldn't bother caring about anything, at all, ever, because it doesn't affect us directly, or yet. Anyway, thanks for this insightful take, it's added a lot of perspective.