Dismal lawn - any workaround suggestions? (Shameful pic included)

[adlertippa]

Here is a picture of my 'lawn' which doesn't really even merit being called that any more. Our neighbours have a vast eucalyptus tree which shades our entire back yard and drinks all the water from the ground. As a result, we've been unable to maintain a lawn despite laying turf twice.

We don't want to complain about the tree as they're great neighbours who take in our parcels and don't mind noise, also they own and we rent. I think we've accepted this year that a lawn just won't work.

We rent, so can't do anything proper like lay a patio or decking. Can anyone suggest alternatives? Is there such a thing as temporary decking we could lay straight onto the ground? I'm having a baby in June and would really like to be able to sit out back, ideally not on a patch of bare earth, ha ha!

Ps please forgive the dandelions, weeding at this point is pretty much polishing a turd.

Astroturf is your friend here. Budget friendly and removable

Ikea sell decking tiles.

Are you in the U.K.?

Yes, in sunny Yorkshire. Off to have a look at IKEAs website, any excuse for a visit there is welcome.

Does AstroTurf get mucky? And is it sweepable? Between the odd dog wee and the deluge of eucalyptus leaves I'd worry about it getting nasty. Or can you sweep it off? Right, off for a google. Thanks for suggestions

Could you make the back 2 or 3ft a deep, shady flowerbed (check out the shady characters thread) and deck/AstroTurf the front bit that gets the sun? Alternatively do the whole lot and have a few large pots of evergreen (golden) shrubs

Would you landlord contribute to a few shade loving shrubs for the ground if you're prepared to do the work?

ps I've never had decking or artificial grass although I don't dislike the look. I've heard good things about both!

My neighbour has artificial grass really just for the dog. She picks up the poo and then hoses it down a couple of times a week. It looks fine.

Yes, a good brush and hosepipe does the job for maintenance.