Artificial grass?

[AHungryCaterpillar]

I’ve got an area in my garden that’s just awful, whoever lived here before me has for some reason laid patio on a slope! Meaning it’s uneven and can’t be walked on, can’t put grass there as it’s a shaded area and under a huge tree so be told it won’t grow. I was thinking of putting some artificial grass down there, would this be a good solution as at the moment the area is unusable? nothing can go on there and you can’t walk on it.

Yes Tonka and Cecilia - such snobbery on here re fake grass. Works for me!!!!

@TwigTheWonderKid so well said

You can buy grass seed that grows in shade. I have a huge part of my garden that is totally covered in shade, planted some grass seed a few weeks ago and it's totally covered! Already had to cut it. Just make sure you get a box that specifically says "grows in sun and shade". Don't get fake grass!

I’m not pulling up grass 🙄 it’s patio and has been laid incorrectly as whoever laid it on a slope and didn’t level it so it’s uneven and can’t be walked on, couldn’t even put anything on it’s and it’s a tripping hazard, I would happily have real grass and would prefer that but I’ve been told nothing will grow under the tree. 🤦🏻 Trees not going.

It’s not shade it’s a conifer I was told nothing will grow in the area at all.

I wouldn’t entertain the bark suggestion as cats like to use it as a toilet as I know from experience. My friend has recently bought a house and said they were going to replace the small lawn with artificial grass . I wasn’t impressed but once I saw it I thought I couldn’t be bothered getting a mower out to cut that little bit either. Rest is decking and flags. .

@sorryforswearing

I wouldn’t entertain the bark suggestion as cats like to use it as a toilet as I know from experience. My friend has recently bought a house and said they were going to replace the small lawn with artificial grass . I wasn’t impressed but once I saw it I thought I couldn’t be bothered getting a mower out to cut that little bit either. Rest is decking and flags. .

My sister has a very small patch of lawn and just "mows" it with a string trimmer.

Be wary - if your cat and other cat begin to piss on your artifical grass, it will be stinky and need regular cleaning (as my neighbour discovered).

@TwigTheWonderKid

Fake grass is clearly very convenient but the uncomfortable truth is that people are against it because environmentally, it's a disaster. It is incredibly difficult to recycle ( despite what some companies who want to sell it to you, tell you), it's incredibly unfriendly to wildlife and most worryingly, it leeches microplastics into the soil and water system, which is damage that cannot be mitigated.

The current trend of blurring the lines between our homes and gardens means that we sometimes forget that gardens should be living, breathing places, rather than spaces for our convenience.

Moss is an excellent idea.

Very well said.

The microplastic aspect is particularly worrisome, as well as that wildlife/birds/insects may ingest bits of plastic.

Honestly the bark is the best choice if you won't grow moss.

I know cats toilet in earth too but you don’t normally have children walking on a flower bed or border. In bark especially if used as a children’s playground it’s hidden and a nightmare. Ex nursery worker here.

That's not true, grass will grow under a conifer. It's to do with the soil why people say it doesn't grow. As long as you put a nice layer of top soil down before your grass it will grow.

In short, conifers grow in acidic soil which doesn't tolerate a lot of grasses, but just put some soil down then grass and it will be fine. I also have a conifer in my garden. Ps make sure u water the grass loads when u put it down! :)

I’ve heard mixed things about the tree then as I posted on a gardening group and they told my there is no chance that anything will grow under it. This is a rough diagram just to given an idea, the patio area at the front is about 15ft in length and the rest is also about 15 ft In length, the area behind the walls slopes down as does the path. There is a trampoline on the grass and the patio at the front is full of kids toys and garden furniture so not being able to use that whole section of the garden makes it feel very small it would be nice to be able to store things on there like the kids play house/slide etc

Artificial grass is super tacky and gross. On a slope could you not have bark chippings?

The owner of a local landscape gardening firm I know, knowledgeable bloke with a business employing 20+ people, put fake grass under a conifer in his north facing garden recently.

Bark isn’t necessarily a natural alternative, cats aside most bark is treated with chemicals to inhibit mould growth and some to enhance colours.

MN hates fake grass, meanwhile, in the real world it’s a convenient solution for some people.

@ShortShinyBobbafett

Yes Tonka and Cecilia - such snobbery on here re fake grass. Works for me!!!!

It isn't low-level snobbery along the lines of 'you painted your door a colour I don't like', which I would never judge because taste is varied. For me it is a deeper hatred really, it is awful for the environment.

I did say it looks tacky, and it does, because it is a physical expression of valuing superficial appearance over substance. You can always tell it is plastic, and it always looks plastic. Plastic plants are the same. They don't ever look good, because they are fake.

If you need to create a bit more light under the conifer you could remove some of the lower branches. Improve the soil a bit and then lay a moss lane. For added interest you could underplant it with some cyclamen, Hostas, ferns. It could potentially be a really beautiful, shady corner of your garden.

Some indpiration

Sounds the ideal solution to me.

Hostas and ferns under a pine tree

@WildCherryBlossom

If you need to create a bit more light under the conifer you could remove some of the lower branches. Improve the soil a bit and then lay a moss lane. For added interest you could underplant it with some cyclamen, Hostas, ferns. It could potentially be a really beautiful, shady corner of your garden.

I have only recently got into ferns, never grew them before, they are really beautiful.

AHungryCaterpillar

I heard cats love bark as see it as a litter tray? I’ve heard that a lot so I’m assuming it’s true“

Ours don’t. 4 of them, never found anything in it (we have lots, in different areas). They love my raised flower beds with lovely soul though

One thing to think of, though: you’ll need to rake it over fairly often if it’s on a slope because it will work it’s way down after heavy rain.
Also, do put ground fabric underneath or you’ll be forever weeding.

Have you considered pea gravel? Stays put and looks neat.

I also hate fake grass and do judge it but in this instance I would say go for it as it solves the issue.

They are aren't they @carefullycourageous

I have a very shady garden (neighbour's trees) so I've embraced shade loving plants. I have loads of bluebells in flower at the moment and I've just planted a fern in the shadiest corner.

Another idea would be to plant a clematis Montana and let it climb through the conifer for added interest. They like their roots in the shade and will decorate the tree beautifully (they clamber through other plants very gently without doing any damage to them)

@ShortShinyBobbafett

Yes Tonka and Cecilia - such snobbery on here re fake grass. Works for me!!!!

I honestly don’t think it’s snobbery. It’s exactly what Twig said. You might not want to hear it, but it’s environmentally horrible.

The shades bit of our lawn is actually moss. Looks and feels quite grassy. I’d try and get that going.